With the 2025 regular season coming to a close, one veteran is calling it a career.
MLB.com’s Scott Merkin reports outfielder Michael A. Taylor officially announced his retirement before today’s finale. The 34-year-old is batting ninth and playing center field for the White Sox in Sunday’s game against the Nationals, which will mark his last.
Taylor, who will end his 12-year career where it started, was drafted by Washington in the sixth round of the 2009 MLB Draft. He worked his way through the Nationals’ farm system over the next several years and made his Major League debut on August 12, 2014. The highlight of his tenure came in 2019 when he was part of the Washington Nationals’ World Series–winning team.
The outfielder would spend six seasons (2014-20) in the nation’s capital before making stops with four other teams, including the Royals (2021–22), Twins (2023), Pirates (2024), and White Sox. Known primarily for his stellar defense, Taylor had his best season in 2021 when he won a Gold Glove Award with Kansas City.
The outfielder enters his final game hitting .199/.256/.366 on the 2025 season. Over 3,797 plate appearances spanning 1,215 games, Taylor owns a .232/.287/.379 mark with 109 home runs and 387 RBI.
Taylor told reporters pre-game that he reached the decision several months ago with his family. He would like to stay in baseball and get into coaching, though his priority is spending more time with his wife and children.
Our entire team at Sox on 35th would like to wish Taylor all the best as he enters his next chapter.
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