Alex Bregman shares great Brian McCann toughness story amid his retirement

Brian McCann is calling it a career after 15 MLB seasons, and one of his ex-teammates is using the occasion to share a superb story about his toughness.

McCann, whose Atlanta Braves were eliminated Wednesday with a 13-1 loss in Game 5 of the NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals, announced afterwards that he would be retiring. In reaction to the news, Houston Astros star Alex Bregman revealed that McCann played through a torn knee that later required surgery as he helped the Astros win the World Series in 2017.

Played through a torn up knee that need surgery to help us win a WS in 2017. Best dude I met in Pro ball https://t.co/JG0VLH5Yj6

— Alex Bregman (@ABREG_1) October 10, 2019

The 35-year-old McCann wraps up his career with seven All-Star appearances, six Silver Slugger Awards, an All-Star Game MVP, and, of course, that World Series ring with Houston. A legitimate MVP candidate at his peak, McCann had an argument for best all-around catcher in baseball at one point.

McCann also developed a great reputation as a memer, and now he can rest well knowing he has the accolades and the respect of his peers to boot.