After 17 years with the Nationals, Mr. National himself, Ryan Zimmerman, has announced his retirement.
We suspected it, but it’s official.
Ryan Zimmerman makes it official: He is retiring after fabulous 17-year career with the Washington #nats.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 15, 2022
An infielder, he was the first player drafted by the Nationals following the Expos’ move for the 2005 season. He made his debut that year and quickly became the face of the franchise.
He didn’t play in 2020 (he pulled out of the season due to COVID-19), but he still managed to come back in 2021 for 110 games.
He obviously won the World Series in 2019.
In 1,799 games, he hit 284 homers, hit .277/.341/.475, and drove in 1,061 runs.
He was never the star of the tour, but like Brett Gardner in New York, he was the face of his franchise.
Due to the lockout, he couldn’t talk to Nationals executives if he ever wanted to get a job there. I don’t know if it’s his intention, but now he can.
Moreover, one must wonder if the work stoppage iNFLuenced his decision.
A page is turning in Washington, in any case.
