Yonder Alonso announces retirement on Instagram

Former Indians first baseman Yonder Alonso has announced that he is retiring in an Instagram post earlier today.

Retirement...wow! Can’t believe it’s here. I am forever grateful for what the game has blessed me with and the friendships I’ve created. I do want to take this opportunity and thank my FAMILY -Mom, Papi, Sis, Manny, Pete. You guys are what made me. I love you guys! I’ll try my best to keep it short and sweet, but those who know me know I can get emotional with this stuff. I can’t thank all you guys enough -Reds, Padres, A’s, Mariners, Indians, White Sox, Rockies and Braves. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. A young Cuban boy with big dreams to make it in this free country, I’ve surpassed them all and then some. Also, last but not least, Danny Lozano and TEAM!! The best agent in the world. You’ve been there since day one and I can’t thank you enough for the late night talks and the long, cold days in Rochester, helping make my dreams come true! Now it’s time to embrace whatever comes next, but most importantly, enjoy my beautiful kids and teach them all the lessons I’ve learned throughout this amazing journey. Thank you!!! God bless forever.

The 33-year-old spent the majority of his career with the Padres, but finished it bouncing between five teams in three years — including a 2018 stint with the Indians — and he failed to land on in team in the shortened 2020 season.

In total Alonso played 145 games in Cleveland, hitting 23 home runs and slashing .250/.317/.421 for a 97 wRC+. By fWAR’s measurement it was tied for his third-best season as a major-league, trailing his All-Star 2.4 fWAR campaign in 2017 with the Athletics and a 1.1 fWAR season in his first full year as a starter with the Padres in 2012.

He may not have panned out into what the Indians wanted when they signed him to a two-year, $16 million deal in December 2017, but he did give them 23 home runs and this fun video going undercover at his one and only Tribefest:

That was fun.