Former Five Year Yankees Utility Player Announces Retirement
Story by
Former Five Year Yankees Utility Player Announces Retirement
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 22: Tyler Wade #14 of the New York Yankees is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after he scored on a wild pitch in the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium on June 22, 2021 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Wade was a pinch runner for Luke Voit. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) Heavy
Matt Cunningham·HEAVY
·
4 min read
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 8: Tyler Wade #14 of the New York Yankees celebrates with teammates after DJ LeMahieu hit into a fielder's choice in the eighth inning of the game at Target Field on June 8, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Yankees defeated the Twins 8-4. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 06: Tyler Wade #14 of the San Diego Padres walks in the dugout before the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on May 06, 2025 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Former Yankees utility playerTyler Wadeannounced his retirement from professional baseball this afternoon in a post on social media via his Instagram.
Wade (age 32) spent nine years in the big leagues, making his Major League debut in 2017 for theNew York Yankeesand appearing in 30 games. Wade was drafted by the Yankees in the 4th round (134th overall in the 2013 MLB Draft. Wade had experience playing second base, shortstop, and even some outfield. He was an asset to the Yankees because of his defensive versatility and great speed.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Tyler Wade's Chapter With The Yankees
Wade spent five seasons with the Yankees (2017-2021), compiling .212/.298/.307 slash line with 6 home runs, 33 RBI's, and 30 stolen bases in 264 games with New York. The Yankees then traded Wade to the Angels in November of 2021 for a player to be named later and cash considerations. While Wade never produced great offensive success, he was a solid role player for multiple seasons in New York.
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 8: Tyler Wade #14 of the New York Yankees celebrates with teammates after DJ LeMahieu hit into a fielder's choice in the eighth inning of the game at Target Field on June 8, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Yankees defeated the Twins 8-4. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Wade would go on to spend one year with theAngels(2022), one with the A's in 2023, then two with the Padres from 2024-25. Wade most recently signed a minor league deal with theTexas Rangersthis past offseason and appeared in spring training, but the club released him on April 20th, 2026.Wade, in 876 career games, has hit for a career.216/.294/.578slash line with 7 home runs, 60 RBIs, and 51 stolen bases.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Wade Thanked All Four Teams He Played For In The MLB
Wade thanked all four MLB teams he played for. Hespecifically wrote to the Yankeesthe following: "I want to thank the Yankees for taking a chance on me as an 18-year-old kid and giving me the opportunity to live out my dream playing for the best franchise in all of sports."
Wade ended hisannouncement stating,"Thank you, baseball; you gave me more than I ever dreamed of." Wade also thanked his teammates, coaches, training staff, and the Padres, Angels, and Athletics organizations in his caption.
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 06: Tyler Wade #14 of theSan Diego Padreswalks in the dugout before the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on May 06, 2025 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The Murrieta, California, native has now officially closed this chapter of his professional baseball career, and may the best of success follow Wade in his post-playing endeavors beyond baseball. Yankees fans will certainly remember his speed and grit during those 2017-21 seasons with the organization, as well as his relationship with players such asAaron Judge,Luis Severino,Gary Sánchez, etc. It was a Yankees timeline mixed with young and older players, one Wade will probably always remember fondly.
