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After an eight-year major league career, infielder Ryan Theriot tells MLB Daily Dish that he has officially retired from baseball. Theriot, 34, last appeared in the majors with the San Francisco Giants in 2012, winning his second World Series championship in as many years.
"I had plenty of offers but I was ready for a change," Theriot said. "On to bigger and better things!"
After hitting .270 with 28 RBI in 104 games at second base and left field for the Giants in 2012, Theriot entered the offseason as a free agent and was expected to sign with a team as a utility player. He reportedly drew interest from the Indians, Rangers, Giants and Phillies, but did not receive an offer that guaranteed him the playing time he was looking for.
In eight major league seasons with the Cubs (2005-2010), Dodgers (2010), Cardinals (2011) and Giants (2012), Theriot hit .281 with 17 HR and 257 RBI in 899 career games. His best season came in 2008 with Chicago, when he was the team's primary shortstop and hit .307 in 149 games.
Theriot scored the game-winning run to clinch the championship for the Giants in Game 4 of the 2012 World Series, in what will stand as his last moment as a player. He also scored the winning run to give the LSU Tigers a national championship in the 2000 College World Series, making it two championship-winning runs for his playing career.
Theriot is the second member of the 2012 Giants' team to retire this week, joining Aubrey Huff, who called it a career after thirteen years in the big leagues and accepted a job with the Pac-12 Networks.
