5-time All-Star Michael Brantley announces major career decision

Oct 29, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros left fielder Michael Brantley (23) prior to game six of the 2019 World Series against the Washington Nationals at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

Veteran outfielder Michael Brantley is calling it a career.

Brantley, who spent the last five seasons with the Houston Astros, is retiring, he told Jon Morosi of MLB.com. The 36-year-old said his primary motivator was the chance to spend more time with his family.

NEWS: Michael Brantley, 5-time All-Star and one of the most respected players of his generation, has decided to retire.

“It’s time for me to be home 24/7, watch my kids grow up, and not miss important milestones,” Brantley told me.

Story coming at @MLB.com.@MLBNetwork

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 5, 2024

Brantley walks away as one of baseball’s most respected veterans. A career .298 hitter, he was known in his prime for his doubles prowess and consistent .300-level hitting. His best years were in Cleveland, where he made three of his five career All-Star teams, before moving on to become a key veteran piece on several Astros teams that made postseason runs.

Injuries were a big problem for Brantley in recent years, and kept him sidelined during the Astros’ title-winning run in 2022. He only appeared in 15 regular season games in 2023, though he did get 32 plate appearances in the postseason, where he hit .179 with a home run.