NEW YORK, New York — A journey spanning 12 seasons in Major League Baseball has officially come to an end, marking the farewell of a veteran pitcher who once had the opportunity to wear the famous pinstripes in the Bronx.
The retirement announcement came after the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers, where the 39-year-old veteran was given a special opportunity when he started an MLB game for the first time.
He completed 1⅔ innings without allowing the Tigers to score a run, then walked off the mound to applause and embraces from his teammates, bringing his career to an emotional close.
That player is Kirby Yates, who played for the New York Yankees during the 2016 season before continuing his journey through multiple organizations and reaching several memorable milestones.
Yates’ time in the Bronx did not last long. He primarily served as a relief pitcher in the Yankees’ bullpen and played during a period when the team was going through significant changes.
But New York gave Yates the opportunity to share a clubhouse with several major names, including Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, and CC Sabathia.
It was a special experience for a pitcher who was still searching for a stable place in MLB and had not yet reached the peak of his career that would come in later years.
On the day he announced his retirement, Yates looked back on his journey in the Bronx with a message of gratitude to the Yankees and New York fans.
“My time with the Yankees wasn’t long, but it will always be the most memorable time for me. Getting to wear that uniform and walk into a clubhouse filled with people I had once admired is something I will never forget for the rest of my life.”
Yates also emphasized that the lessons he learned in New York helped him better understand the pressure, responsibility, and standards required to survive in MLB for the long term.
After leaving the Yankees, Yates’ career continued to go through several turning points before he eventually found the best version of himself.
He played for the Tampa Bay Rays, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and finally the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The individual peak of Yates’ career was highlighted by two MLB All Star selections, achievements that came during his time with the Padres and Rangers.
Across more than 518 MLB appearances, Yates finished his career with a 32–29 record and a 3.35 ERA, numbers that reflect the durability of a reliever who competed in many different environments.
That journey is even more remarkable considering Yates was once only a 26th-round selection in the 2005 MLB Draft.
He did not enter the league with the status of a highly sought-after prospect, but gradually built his career through adaptability and perseverance.
His final moment in Detroit therefore carried significant meaning, as the Pirates allowed Yates to make the first start of his career before he said goodbye.
After the game, Yates confirmed his decision with the brief statement, “This is the end,” while also saying that he was ready to accept the final chapter of his career.
For the Yankees, Yates appeared in only a small part of the franchise’s history, but for the veteran pitcher himself, the Bronx remains a chapter with special meaning.
After 12 seasons, two All Star selections, and more than 500 trips to the mound, Yates leaves MLB with countless memories, with his time wearing the Yankees uniform in 2016 still holding a special place in his journey.
