Two seasoned Big League infielders are hanging up their cleats. Former New York Yankees fan favorite Didi Gregorius and long-time utility man Jon Berti have both formally announced their retirements from professional baseball.
Didi Gregorius Bids Farewell After 11-Year MLB Career
Four years removed from his final Major League appearance, 36-year-old shortstop Didi Gregorius is officially calling it a career. The announcement was relayed on Friday following Gregorius’s final professional stint with the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna in the Mexican League during the 2026 season.
A native of The Netherlands, Gregorius originally broke into the majors with a defensive-first reputation. However, he quickly developed into a formidable offensive threat. He played 11 MLB seasons across four franchises:
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Cincinnati Reds (2012)
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Arizona Diamondbacks (2013–2014)
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New York Yankees (2015–2019)
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Philadelphia Phillies (2020–2022)
Gregorius enjoyed his peak years in New York, where he faced the daunting task of replacing hall-of-famer Derek Jeter at shortstop. He became a crucial pillar of the Yankees’ lineup, earning down-ballot MVP votes in back-to-back seasons (2017–2018). His signature moment came in the 2017 postseason, highlights including a game-tying three-run homer in the AL Wild Card Game against Minnesota and a two-homer performance in Game 5 of the ALDS to eliminate Cleveland.
Gregorius finishes his MLB tenure with a .257 batting average, 134 home runs, and 530 RBIs across 1,077 games, alongside remaining active on the international stage for Team Netherlands.
Jon Berti Closes 15-Year Journey Through Pro Baseball
Meanwhile, 36-year-old speedster Jon Berti announced his departure from the game via Instagram after a 15-year professional journey defined by sheer resilience. Originally drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 11th round of the 2011 MLB Draft out of Bowling Green State, Berti spent seven grinding seasons in the minor leagues before making his major league debut with Toronto in 2018.
Known for his elite baserunning and multi-positional versatility, Berti’s career truly blossomed after joining the Miami Marlins, where he established himself as a premier utility player and stole an MLB-leading 41 bases in 2022. He later logged time with the New York Yankees and finished his final Big League chapter in 2025 with the Chicago Cubs.
“After a lot of thought and consideration, I have decided to retire from professional baseball,” Berti shared. “It’s been a hell of a journey, full of ups and downs. I’m very grateful for all the opportunities and lessons that baseball has given me.“
