“Don’t Think Anyone in Cleveland Questioned How Hard You Played”: 35-Year-Old MLB Star Leaves Fans Crestfallen With Surprise Retirement

Kip, or Jason Kipnis, born in Northbrook Illinois, after making his MLB debut with the Tribe in 2011, recently made the difficult choice to bid adieu to the game of baseball. Popularly known as Dirtbag in Cleveland, the second baseman signed a six-year contract with the Guardians worth $52.5 million. Since that day, he was a staple of every Cleveland Guardian fan.

However, an almost career-ending, right hamate bone injury in September 2019 led the Guardians to decline their club option with Kip. In 2020, after surgery, Kipnis signed with the Chicago Cubs, and after a below-average season, he moved to the Atlanta Braves. Within a year, the Braves released Kipnis and 16 months in, Kipnis is preparing to leave baseball.

While Kipnis may not be amongst the greatest of the game, his fervent and touching goodbye note revealed his positive psychological outlook.  His note started with, “There is no real ending. It’s just the place you stop the story.”

Jason Kipnis bids adieu to the world of baseball after 10 seasons in the big leagues

The poignant letter by Jason Kipnis started off with the regret of having to write the letter and officially leave the game.

He said, “I’d be lying if I said I wanted to write this. To have to officially acknowledge that my time as a player in the game of baseball is over… Breaking my hamate bone on my last swing with Cleveland meant no fun hat tip before leaving… Instead, it ended the way my professional career started, riding buses in the minor leagues. And then the lockout happened, and before I knew it, it was over. My mind and body just aren’t up for the commitment anymore. Frustrating at first, but there’s only one feeling I’m left with that stands above all… Gratitude.”

Following an emotional and off-the-heart introduction, Kipnis moved to offer thank you’s to everyone who supported his career from the very first day and helped him reach where he is today. He started off by saying thank you to his parents, followed by the rest of his family, friends, teammates, coaches, and trainers, along with a touching line, which said, “If the lifelong friends and memories are all I have left over from this game now, then that’s just fine by me!”

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Finally, at the end of the note, before signing off, Jason Kipnis thanked the sport and said, “Thank you to the game of baseball… From the dreams of a boy in Northbrook to the biggest stage there is. You’ve shaped me into who I am today… I may regret the way we ended, but I will never regret what we had. I am forever a fan of yours.”

Cleveland Guardians fans celebrate his storied career

Clevelanders, who grew up watching Kip at second base, celebrated his glorious career in the replies to the tweet. They congratulated him, and many claimed that he stood as their favorite player.

This is how fans reacted:

Kipnis’ biggest career regret will definitely be the missing World Series Ring.

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Under the leadership of Terry Francona, the Guardians will be preparing for another postseason run, only to hopefully make it to the World Series this time. Which is your favorite memory from Jason Kipnis’ MLB career? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.