Story by
8-Year MLB veteran announces retirement after stints with Yankees, Cubs
- Story by
- 8-Year MLB veteran announces retirement after stints with Yankees, Cubs
After eight seasons in the big leagues, utility infielder Jon Berti has decided to hang up the cleats. The 36-year-old most recently suited up for the Chicago Cubs during the 2025 season.
Berti struggled across 51 appearances for the Cubs, posting a .210 batting average, .262 on-base percentage and .492 OPS, leading to his release and seemingly his final chance on a big-league roster.
Advertisement
MORE: Chicago Cubs make roster move immediately after shutout loss to White Sox
His decline had begun the year before in the Bronx with the New York Yankees , where he appeared in 25 games and was a below-average offensive player. He did appear on the postseason roster for New York before suffering a right hip flexor strain, which led to him being removed from the World Series roster.
Berti wrote a lengthy goodbye to the game on Instagram , making his first post in over two years to make the retirement announcement official.
"After a lot of thought and consideration, I have decided to retire from professional baseball. It's been a hell of a journey, full of ups and downs. I'm very grateful for all the opportunities and lessons that baseball has given me over the last 15-plus years," Berti wrote.
Advertisement
He also thanked every organization he played for, including the Miami Marlins , where he spent the majority of his career and was the most productive. One of the highlights of his career came back in 2022 when he led all of MLB in stolen bases with 41.
Berti's career likely comes to a close because he has simply aged out of the tools that made him valuable. His speed and defense were always the foundation of his game, and with those attributes diminished, retirement was the natural next step as he enters a new chapter in his life.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —
