Mike Moustakas, a longtime Kansas City Royals third baseman, has hit his farewell home run. The Royals announced Monday that Moustakas, a three-time All-Star and a key member of the 2015 World Series champions, will retire later this year. Officially, Moustakas will sign a one-day deal with the Royals then retire on May 31.
“Always a Royal,” the squad posted on X (previously Twitter). Moustakas, the No. 2 pick in 2007, hit.247 with 215 home runs, 683 RBI, and a.739 OPS across 13 seasons. He played the most of that time with the Royals, hitting 139 home runs from 2011 to 2018. Moustakas was selected to the All-Star Game in 2015 and 2017, the latter following a season with 38 home runs.
Moustakas joined the Royals’ mid-2010s core, which included Alex Gordon, Eric Hosmer, and Lorenzo Cain. Kansas City came within one game of winning the 2014 World Series before defeating the New York Mets the following year.
Moustakas joined the Royals’ mid-2010s core, which included Alex Gordon, Eric Hosmer, and Lorenzo Cain. Kansas City came within one game of winning the 2014 World Series before defeating the New York Mets the following year.
In 2018, the Royals traded Moustakas to the Milwaukee Brewers as part of their latest rebuild. Although Moustakas blasted 35 home runs and earned All-Star honors for the Brewers in 2019, it was his final productive season in the major leagues. Moustakas hit.228 with 33 home runs and a disappointing.684 OPS for three teams from 2020 to 2023. He didn’t play in the majors last season. “Always loved our moose,” one Royals fan remarked on X. “My child is upset. “Their favorite player.”
SEE YA, BALBONI! Mike Moustakas now leads the Royals club in home runs in a season with 37! #Royalspic.twitter.com/QcUwl7wy4R — Christopher Lilly (@ChrisLilly_) September 21, 2017.
“My Favorite Position Player from That Era!” another wrote. “Moooooooose!” Many supporters responded to the Royals’ post, saying they had already purchased tickets for May 31. The Royals performed a similar ceremony for Cain in 2018. “You’ve done an amazing job in KC, Mike!” a Royals fan exclaimed. “Thanks for the memories!”
