Lengthy-time utility participant Charlie Culberson introduced his retirement in an Instagram submit at present. He gave his due to 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-Structure about his profession and what is likely to be subsequent. He has thought of teaching and broadcasting however thinks the latter is extra probably.
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 sides of the sport and at many positions. He made it to the majors with that membership in cup-of-coffee vogue. He acquired into six video games in the course of 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 commerce that despatched Marco Scutaro and money issues the opposite approach. With Colorado, Culberson was capable of get a bit extra enjoying time, serving as a light-hitting utility man. Over the 2013 and 2014 seasons, he acquired into 142 video games for the Rockies, hitting .227/.273/.327 whereas enjoying 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 fascinated by his post-playing days at the moment, as he didn’t know if any membership would need him after the lengthy layoff.
Nevertheless, his greatest days as a participant had been nonetheless forward. He had misplaced his roster spot with the Rockies and have become a free agent, signing a minor league cope with the Dodgers going into 2016. His position with that membership was pretty just like his time in Colorado. He acquired 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 essentially the most memorable second of his time in Los Angeles noticed him hit a walk-off, tenth inning dwelling run to clinch the West division for the membership that 12 months (YouTube clip from MLB). He additionally hit an extra-inning dwelling run in Recreation Two of the 2017 World Collection to tug the Dodgers inside 7-6, although the Astros would preserve 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 approach. This kicked off what was arguably one of the best a part of Culberson’s profession. A Georgia native, he turned 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 acquired into 221 contests for Atlanta and produced a league-average batting line of .267/.316/.457. As standard, he bounced throughout the diamond, enjoying all 4 infield spots, the outfield corners, and even taking the mound for mop-up obligation a couple of occasions. He was non-tendered after that 2019 season and re-signed with Atlanta for 2020 on a minors deal, finally stepping into 10 video games within the shortened season.
He spent 2021 and 2022 with the Rangers, doing his standard utility factor. He hit .246/.292/.373 in 161 video games over these two campaigns whereas enjoying each place aside from middle subject and catcher. He was again in Atlanta for 2023 however bounced on and off the roster and solely acquired one plate look. It was reported in January of this 12 months that he was going to try to maneuver to the mound and signed one other minors cope with Atlanta, however he was launched in March. He tells Toscano that he knew he was carried out 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 way of when it counted most. He acquired into 590 large league video games and stepped to the plate 1,312 occasions. He collected 300 hits, together with 30 dwelling runs. He scored 140 runs, drove in 145 and stole 21 bases. Per Baseball Reference, he earned a bit over $5MM as a giant leaguer. MLBTR salutes him on a positive profession and desires him luck for no matter is over the horizon.
