Former Dodgers Infielder Announces Retirement
One of the most iconic moments in Los Angeles Dodgers history was created with a swing of the bat on Sept. 25, 2016, against the Colorado Rockies.
Charlie Culberson hadn’t been in the lineup for four days when he saw his name penciled in ahead of that contest.
In the 10th inning, Culberson came to the plate, having already gone 2-for-5 when it was his turn to face Boone Logan.
In Vin Scully’s last home game after 67 years as the Dodgers’ broadcaster, Culberson hit a walk-off against the Rockies, securing a playoff spot at the same time.
Culberson retired from baseball on Thursday.
In a telephone interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Culberson said he knew this would be his final season back in March.
“Yeah, I believe so,” he said when asked if it had set in yet.
“It wasn’t relief because I knew, physically, I was still able to do what I was doing for so long,” Culberson said. “I was just thinking to myself, like, dang, I really tried really hard, especially at a position transition at the end of my career. I had a lot of fun with it. It never felt easy, but I was always excited to do it.
“But I knew there was no regret. I kept playing, I kept trying, I gave it my best. Physically, I was able to do it. That was probably the coolest thing, I guess, is that I didn’t leave any regret on the table. I kind of exhausted all options of me continuing my baseball career.”
Reality has sunk in. Culberson is no longer a professional baseball player, but he has cherished all the moments.
“Over 17 years ago, I was drafted, and now I’m not playing anymore,” Culberson said. “When I left the park for the last time, I definitely got emotional because I knew that moment was coming. When I left the Braves spring training complex that last day, I knew that I was done. I knew that I had tried everything I could, and it wasn’t because I was upset with myself. I was definitely grateful for everything that happened, so it was almost, like, happy tears.
“But it is kind of crazy to know that, man, playing a game like this for so long was so much fun, but it comes to an end. So just enjoy getting better, enjoy practice, enjoy the grind of working on your swing or being one percent better each day, because that’ll lead us to bigger and better things down the road.”
Photo Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
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