“Baseball, I was just four years old when I fell in love with you,” Maldonado shared on Instagram, accompanying a video announcing his decision. “From the moment I first put on that catcher\u2019s gear, I knew this game would be part of me forever. Every inning, every pitch, every moment behind the plate has been a blessing. For 34 years, I\u2019ve had the honor of wearing that gear \u2014 and for the last 15, doing it at the highest level. Today, it\u2019s time to hang them up and officially call it a career…”<\/p>\n
Maldonado was selected in the 27th round of the 2004 MLB June Amateur Draft by the then-called Anaheim Angels. He didn’t make his big league debut until 2011, though, as a member of the Brewers. Milwaukee signed the catcher to a minor league deal in 2007 and worked his way through Milwaukee’s farm system. Despite taking a long time to eventually make it to the big leagues, he spent the first six big league seasons of his career in Milwaukee and went on to have a very solid career. <\/p>\n
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May 20, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; San Diego Padres catcher Mart\u00edn Maldonado (15) takes batting practice before a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images \/ Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
He won a Gold Glove Award and was also won a World Series with the Houston Astros back in 2022. <\/p>\n
Although he is retiring from the big leagues, MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart<\/a> shared that he is looking to play in the World Baseball Classic with Puerto Rico and also manage in the big leagues one day.<\/p>\n “Mart\u00edn Maldonado announced his retirement as a player in a poignant video he posted Saturday, but his life in baseball isn\u2019t done,” McTaggart said. “Far from it. Maldonado would like to play for Puerto Rico in next year\u2019s World Baseball Classic and has his eyes set on managing in the Major Leagues in the future.”<\/p>\n His road to the big leagues certainly wasn’t easy, but what a career it was.<\/p>\n More MLB: Brewers Should Deny Former All-Star $15 Million Mutual Option<\/a><\/p>\n