Former Rays' center fielder to retire after 2024 season

Kevin Kiermaier was a fan favorite and a clubhouse leader in his tenure with the Tampa Bay Rays. The speedy outfielder announced recently that he will be calling it a career after the completion of the 2024 season. Can Kiermaier finish his career on top?

Kiermaier officially entered the league in 2014 at the age of 24. He would play for the Rays for 10 straight seasons accumulating wins, accolades, and most of all respect amongst his teammates and his fans. The Parkland College graduate was a thrill to watch each and every game. Every fan knew that they were going to get 150% effort from him every single play. A fond memory we have of his rookie year was how he would respond to getting walked during an at-bat. 99% of athletes will remove their gear and slowly jog over to first base to chat with the coach and opposing first baseman. Kiermaier did things differently. The Fort Wayne native ran to the bag in an all-out sprint regardless of the insignificance of his hustle. That was just how he played day in and day out!

In Kiermaier's 10 seasons in Tampa Bay, he recorded a respectable .248 AVG with 82 HRs and 316 RBIs. These numbers are very acceptable on their own, but any Rays' fan will tell you that his defense was the key component of his impressive abilities. He had at least 20 defensive runs saved in 6 of his 10 years with the Rays. He also collected three Gold Gloves as a center fielder in Tampa and one more with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2023. His amazing prowess for making the improbable play is unrivaled.

Kevin Kiermaier has been a mark above all others in the outfield defense since he stepped foot on that Tropicana Field turf. However, this success didn't come easy for the Rays' star as he had to constantly show his worth through exceptional hustle and leadership. I'm sure this news hits the heartstrings of many in the baseball community, but especially Rays' fans as they've undoubtedly kept tabs on the humble athlete since he left Tampa Bay and they remember the satisfaction they got from witnessing pure excellence and professionalism.