Yankees' Teixeira announces retirement
The New York Yankees' Mark Teixeira, 36, has been hobbled by injuries this season and called time on his 14-year career.
Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, 36, announced his retirement Friday afternoon at a tearful news conference at Yankee Stadium.
After eight years of service to the Yankees, Teixeira will finish his 14-year career at the end of the current season.
"After 14 years, it's time for me to do something else ... I got to live out my dream and had more success than I could ever imagine," said the 14-year veteran, who choked up at the very start of his news conference attended by team-mates and Yankees staff.
A three-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glover, Teixeira has been hobbled by injuries this season and is batting .198/.287/.340 with 10 home runs and 27 RBIs in only 77 games.
Teixeira is a career .269/.361/.511 hitter who has averaged 29 homers and 92 RBIs.
He helped New York to their 2009 World Series victory, during his eight seasons with the Yankees beginning that same year.
The Yankees (54-54) have begun a rebuilding process, selling off players such as pitchers Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman and outfielder Carlos Beltran at the trade deadline.