There’s nothing more bittersweet in sports than watching a legend try to squeeze out one more season and instead go out with a thud. Whether it was injuries, age, or just plain awkward exits, these MLB stars didn’t exactly ride into the sunset like they’d hoped.
From once-dominant pitchers to feared sluggers, each of these guys saw their careers fizzle instead of flourish in their final chapters. Let’s count down 17 MLB players who got some of the ugliest send-offs baseball has ever seen.
17. Miguel Cabrera
In this chat, you will check the grammar of the text I send. You will also tell me promptly if it’s grammatically correct and fact-check it.
16. Tim Lincecum
The Freak went from Cy Young winner to barely recognizable in what felt like a blink. His comeback attempts were rough, especially that short, forgettable stint with the Angels.
15. Ken Griffey Jr.
Griffey’s final act in Seattle was supposed to be a feel-good reunion. Instead, it ended with him quietly retiring midseason after struggling at the plate and reportedly napping during games.
14. Jose Bautista
Once the face of the bat flip era, Bautista’s final years were a carousel of minor contracts and disappointing stints. He just couldn’t recapture that Toronto magic no matter how hard he tried.
13. Gary Sheffield
Sheffield chased 500 home runs but couldn’t find a team to give him a proper shot at the milestone. His career ended with more frustration than fireworks.
12. Dontrelle Willis
The D-Train came in hot but derailed quickly. His later years were a blur of minor league deals, control issues, and comeback attempts that never panned out.
11. Ryan Braun
Braun’s career ended with injuries, suspension baggage, and an underwhelming farewell in Milwaukee. It wasn’t the storybook ending fans or the team probably envisioned.
10. CC Sabathia
While he did reinvent himself as a gritty veteran presence, Sabathia’s final season was plagued by knee issues and an emotional ejection in his last playoff game. It was more gritty than graceful.
9. David Wright
The Mets captain was beloved, but spinal injuries robbed him of a real goodbye. His return for one final at-bat felt more like a charity moment than a send-off for a star.
8. Nomar Garciaparra
After peaking early in Boston, Nomar’s final years were a slow fade into irrelevance. Injuries piled up, and his career quietly fizzled out on the West Coast.
7. Johan Santana
He was lights out in his prime, but his body didn’t cooperate when he tried to mount a comeback. That no-hitter in New York ended up being his last major highlight—and it might’ve broken him.
6. Albert Belle
Belle’s decline came fast and ended with a degenerative hip condition that forced him out of the game. There was no farewell tour, just an abrupt and uncomfortable exit.
5. Alex Rodriguez
A-Rod’s Yankees finale was awkward, to say the least. The team nudged him out midseason with a staged farewell while trying not to make it too obvious they were done with him.
4. Barry Zito
Once the ace of two franchises, Zito’s command disappeared and his big contract became an albatross. He briefly returned for a final start in Oakland, but the magic was long gone.
3. David Ortiz
Technically, Big Papi went out strong stat-wise, but his actual send-off came with an endless goodbye tour. It felt more like a retirement brand campaign than a farewell season.
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2. Roger Clemens
The Rocket’s career ended in a haze of PED allegations and courtroom drama. His actual final pitch seemed like an afterthought compared to the scandal storm.
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1. Pete Rose
Rose didn’t even get a proper MLB goodbye thanks to his lifetime ban. Baseball’s all-time hit king had one of the messiest exits the sport has ever seen.
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