Outfielder Cain retires following over a decade in MLB

*Photo from Call to the Pen*

   While under the radar for a few months, he privately called it. Now it's public. Former Milwaukee Brewers and Kansas City Royals OF Lorenzo Cain has retired from baseball after a baker's dozen seasons, according to The Athletic's Andy McCullough.

   Cain was in his 6th season with the Brewers in 2022 before he was DFA'd midseason with a .179 batting average, .465 OPS, one home run, and 9 RBI's in 43 games. He received interest from other clubs but instead opted for retirement.

   Cain told McCullough in an interview that "I left it in the hands of my boys. I said, 'Hey, do you guys want daddy to continue to play ball? Or are you ready for daddy to be done and go home?' And they said, 'Dad, we want you to go home.' And I said, 'OK, then.' So I've been done. I just haven't announced it, I guess."

   Right now, the plan is for Cain to be honored by the Royals, his longest tenured franchise, with a retirement ceremony for him to retire as a Royal. Nothing is official yet, but Cain told McCullough they were targeting a date in May for the ceremony.

   Originally, Cain was chosen by the Brewers in the 17th round of the 2004 MLB Draft. He made his debut with the Brewers in 2010 before being traded along with Jeremy Jeffress, Alcides Escobar, and Jake Odorizzi to the Royals for Zack Greinke and Yuniesky Betancourt.

   In 2014, Cain helped the Royals make a run to the World Series, winning ALCS MVP before the Royals lost the World Series in 7 games. One of his best seasons came in the Royals World Series winning year in 2015. He hit for a .307 batting average, drove in 72 runs, and stole 28 bases in the regular season. He also was a finalist for the AL MVP that year.

   Cain spent 7 years with the Royals and 6 with the Brewers in his career. He compiled a .283 batting average, .343 on base percentage, and .407 slugging percentage, hitting 87 home runs with 454 RBI's and 190 stolen bases in 1,171 games. He has a .277 batting average with one home run, 21 RBI's, and 9 stolen bases in 46 playoff games.