On Sunday afternoon, Jay Bruce shockingly decided to retire just two weeks into this year’s campaign.
The 14-year MLB veteran has had an incredibly respectable career, spending much of his time in Cincinnati and having stints with the Mets, Indians, Mariners, Phillies, and lastly the Yankees. Bruce retires with 319 home runs, made three All-Star games, and was recognized as a Silver Slugger in back-to-back seasons back in 2012 and 2013. He truly established himself as one of baseball’s best hitting young outfielders during his prime, and will surely never have to buy himself a beer in the Queen City.
Jay Bruce announces his retirement. pic.twitter.com/bJNmt0ASpO
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 18, 2021
The news was surprising, but not disappointing to many of the Yankee faithful. Many within the fanbase have publicly criticized Bruce’s poor play as he was 4/34 from the plate in his 10 games in pinstripes.
It doesn’t help that the Yankees are off to one of their worst statistical starts in franchise history, sitting at 5-10, their worst start since 1997. They currently have a .210 team batting average and a .296 team OBP their worst numbers in those categories since 1968 and 1972. They have also struck out more times in their first 15 games than other Yankee team in franchise history.
While the Yankees have gotten off to an uncharacteristically bad start, the Bombers fans have been letting them have it.
Fans at Yankee Stadium are throwing baseballs onto the field.
Stop this nonsense and act like adults. pic.twitter.com/Mn8XvyBy7w
— Dillard Barnhart (@BarnHasSpoken) April 17, 2021
One must consider if Yankees fans harsh criticism of Bruce, who was unfairly expected to replace Luke Voit at a brand new position this deep into his career, had a role in the veteran’s retirement. Like seriously, did Yankee fans just bully a respected veteran into retirement after 10 bad games at a brand new position?
While outside criticism could have played a role, you have to believe Bruce knows himself and his capabilities above all else. If it took the man a bad start to convince himself to hang it up, then so be it. Happy trails, Jay Bruce!