Lengthy-time utility participant Charlie Culberson introduced his retirement in an Instagram post in the present day. He gave his because of his followers, coaches, teammates, agent, family and friends members for all of the contributions they made to his journey. He additionally spoke to Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about his profession and what is perhaps subsequent. He has thought-about teaching and broadcasting however thinks the latter is extra doubtless.
Now 35, Culberson was drafted by the Giants in 2007 out of highschool on the age of 18, going 51st general. He developed right into a notable prospect, getting consideration for his means to contribute in a number of aspects of the sport and at many positions. He made it to the majors with that membership in cup-of-coffee trend. He obtained into six video games throughout the 2012 season and hit a meager .136/.136/.136 in his 23 plate appearances.
He was despatched to the Rockies within the July 2012 trade that despatched Marco Scutaro and money issues the opposite means. With Colorado, Culberson was capable of get a bit extra taking part in time, serving as a light-hitting utility man. Over the 2013 and 2014 seasons, he obtained into 142 video games for the Rockies, hitting .227/.273/.327 whereas taking part in all 4 infield positions and the outfield corners.
2015 was largely a misplaced season for Culberson. He had surgical procedure to restore a herniated disc in his again and didn’t play within the majors. He tells Toscano that he began serious about his post-playing days at the moment, as he didn’t know if any membership would need him after the lengthy layoff.
Nevertheless, his finest days as a participant have been nonetheless forward. He had misplaced his roster spot with the Rockies and have become a free agent, signing a minor league take care of the Dodgers going into 2016. His position with that membership was pretty much like his time in Colorado. He obtained into 49 video games for the Dodgers over the 2016 and 2017 seasons, slashing .263/.289/.350 whereas bouncing between the outfield corners and the three infield positions to the left of first base. Maybe probably the most memorable second of his time in Los Angeles noticed him hit a walk-off, tenth inning house run to clinch the West division for the membership that yr (YouTube clip from MLB). He additionally hit an extra-inning house run in Recreation Two of the 2017 World Sequence to tug the Dodgers inside 7-6, although the Astros would maintain the rating there and win that sport (YouTube clip from MLB).
In December of 2017, Culberson went to Atlanta in five-play swap largely motivated by monetary issues. Matt Kemp was despatched to the Dodgers whereas Culberson, Adrián González, Scott Kazmir and Brandon McCarthy went the opposite means. This kicked off what was arguably the very best a part of Culberson’s profession. A Georgia native, he grew to become a fan favourite in Atlanta after hitting a few pinch-hit walk-off homers, incomes the nickname “Charlie Clutch” (YouTube clips of these walk-offs from MLB).
Over the 2018 and 2019 campaigns, Culberson obtained into 221 contests for Atlanta and produced a league-average batting line of .267/.316/.457. As typical, he bounced throughout the diamond, taking part in all 4 infield spots, the outfield corners, and even taking the mound for mop-up obligation a number of instances. He was non-tendered after that 2019 season and re-signed with Atlanta for 2020 on a minors deal, ultimately moving into 10 video games within the shortened season.
He spent 2021 and 2022 with the Rangers, doing his typical utility factor. He hit .246/.292/.373 in 161 video games over these two campaigns whereas taking part in each place aside from middle area and catcher. He was again in Atlanta for 2023 however bounced on and off the roster and solely obtained one plate look. It was reported in January of this yr that he was going to aim to maneuver to the mound and signed one other minors take care of Atlanta, however he was launched in March. He tells Toscano that he knew he was finished at the moment.
Culberson wasn’t a star participant however clearly endeared himself to many followers by his nonetheless of play and penchant for coming by means of when it counted most. He obtained into 590 huge league video games and stepped to the plate 1,312 instances. He collected 300 hits, together with 30 house runs. He scored 140 runs, drove in 145 and stole 21 bases. Per Baseball Reference, he earned a bit over $5MM as an enormous leaguer. MLBTR salutes him on a nice profession and desires him luck for no matter is over the horizon.
