Kolten Wong Announces Retirement from Professional Baseball

HONOLULU, Hawaii — Former Major League Baseball infielder Kolten Wong confirmed his retirement from professional baseball on Sunday during a visit to his alma mater, the University of Hawaii. Wong, 34, made the announcement while throwing out the first pitch before a game between Hawaii and UC San Diego.

In an interview with Spectrum News’ Brian McInnis, Wong expressed his feelings about stepping away from the sport. “Pretty much right now, I’m done,” he said. “I’ve kind of come to the conclusion that I’m probably going to be hanging them up,” he added. Wong reflected on his journey in baseball and said he looks forward to focusing on being a father.

Drafted 22nd overall by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011, Wong played 11 seasons in the MLB. He made his major league debut in 2013 and became a regular player by 2014. He was known for his exceptional defensive skills and won Gold Gloves in 2019 and 2020.

During his time with the Cardinals, Wong achieved a .261 batting average with 86 home runs and 405 RBIs over eight seasons. He was integral to the team’s postseason runs, including a memorable walk-off home run in the 2014 National League Championship Series against the San Francisco Giants.

Wong later played for the Milwaukee Brewers and finished his career with brief stints with the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Dodgers. In 2023, he played 67 games for the Mariners, but his performance dipped, leading to his release in August.

After retiring, Wong shared his thoughts about the future. “I’m trying to be the best big league dad that I can be,” he noted. As a University of Hawaii legend, he was also honored prior to the game for his achievements in college baseball.

With a career spanning a decade in the majors, Wong leaves behind a legacy as a skilled infielder and a well-respected player among his peers. MLB Trade Rumors congratulated him on his career, wishing him well in his next chapter.