Chris Taylor is officially calling it a career after a whirlwind weekend.
On Friday, Taylor’s retirement was revealed on the MiLB transactions log. He was playing this seaosn with the Los Angeles Angels’ Triple-A Salt Lake affiliate. Then, less than 24 hours later, MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger reported that Taylor had changed his mind and would not be retiring. He was instead placed on the Minor League injured list with a fractured forearm.
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However, Taylor ended the uncertainty about his future on Sunday, announcing that he indeed would be retiring after 12 major-league seasons.
“Clearing up any confusion. I’ve officially decided to retire from the game I’ve dedicated my entire life towards,” Taylor wrote on Instagram. “I’m beyond grateful to all of my coaches and teammates, and the organizations who allowed me to live out my childhood dream.”
Taylor continued by praising the friendships he made in his major-league career and the fans who supported him. He then thanked his family and his wife, adding that he’s eager for the “next chapter in life” with her and their children.
This season, Taylor compiled a slash average of .255/.382/.321 with seven doubles in 132 plate appearances.
Taylor’s initial announcement of his retirement was real. It was not only reported by the league but acknowledged on social media by MLB, with fans and media posting several tributes to his accomplishments.
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Taylor’s best season was in 2017, when he batted .288/.354/.496 with 21 home runs, 34 doubles, 72 RBI and 17 stolen bases. As he did throughout his career, Taylor appeared all over the field for the Dodgers that season, playing 49 games in center field, 48 in left, 22 games at second base, 14 games at shortstop and eight at third base.
He was a 2012 fifth-round selection by the Seattle Mariners out of Virginia and played three seasons in Seattle before being traded to the Dodgers in 2016 for pitcher Zach Lee. Taylor remained with the Dodgers for the next 10 seasons, re-signing with them as a free agent before he was finally released early in the 2025 season. Taylor signed with the Angels and played 30 games with a .179/.278/.321 slash average.
The standout moment of Taylor’s Dodgers career remains his walk-off home run off the St. Louis Cardinals‘ Alex Reyes to win the 2021 National League wild-card game.
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In eight postseasons, Taylor hit .247 with a .792 OPS, 13 doubles, 9 homers and 26 RBI. That included the 2017 NLCS, when he shared MVP honors with Justin Turner, hitting .316 with a 1.248 OPS and two home runs.
The past few days add another interesting chapter to the utility man’s résumé. But for now, it appears that the 35-year-old is done playing baseball.
