Former White Sox star Tim Anderson retires after 10 MLB seasons: ‘Too much pain’

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Former White Sox star Tim Anderson retires after 10 MLB seasons: ‘Too much pain’

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Tim Anderson of the Chicago White Sox rounds the bases after hitting a game-winning home run against the New York Yankees, Image 2 shows Chicago White Sox's Michael Kopech looks on as Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez and Chicago White Sox's Tim Anderson exchange punches

Mark Suleymanov · NY Post Sports

Mon, Aug 10, 2026 ·

4 min read

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Tim Anderson , a former two-time All-Star and batting champion with the White Sox , announced his retirement from professional baseball during an emotional call with reporters on Monday.

Anderson, 33, appeared in parts of 10 major league seasons, last suiting up with the Angels for a 31-game stint in 2025.

The longtime shortstop admitted that the grind of a full season had worn him down physically, which played a major role in his decision to step away.

Tim Anderson reacts as he rounds the bases on his game-winning, walk-off two-run home run during the bottom of the ninth inning against the Yankees at the Field of Dreams Stadium in Iowa. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

"I fought to try to get back," Anderson said, per The Athletic. "I fought for the last two or three years. I trained and just couldn't get the body to operate like it used to.

"I still love the game. It just brought too much pain to me so going back to play is not for me, not where I'm at right now."

Drafted 17th overall by Chicago in the 2013 MLB Draft, Anderson made his big league debut three years later after the White Sox cut legendary shortstop Jimmy Rollins .

After posting middling results during his first few campaigns, Anderson broke out as one of MLB's elite hitters.

In 2019, Anderson won the American League batting title with a .335 average over 123 games with Chicago.

Anderson and then-Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson were involved in a series of on-field dustups during the 2022 campaign. Getty Images

Anderson hit at least .301 in every season from 2019 through 2022 — despite the fact he drew walks at a paltry 3.7 percent clip for his entire career.

In 2021, Anderson cemented his name in the history books when he hit a dramatic walk-off home run against the Yankees during the inaugural Field of Dreams game in Iowa.

An inning after Giancarlo Stanton hit a go-ahead shot, Anderson ripped a Zack Britton slider over the head of Aaron Judge in right field to win the game.

"Being able to walk it off definitely was a great feeling," Anderson recalled of the memorable homer. "Just that moment, that moment is going to be around forever. We are still talking about it five years later.

Guardians' Jose Ramirez and Anderson exchange punches in the sixth inning of a baseball game on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023, in Cleveland. AP

"We are still touching on such a cool moment that happened in baseball."

Anderson was embroiled in more drama with the Bombers the following season, when then- Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson repeatedly referred to him as "Jackie," sparking a series of on-field confrontations between the two in May 2022.

Donaldson, a former AL MVP who largely struggled with the Yankees over two seasons, was suspended for the remark the was referenincg the legenday Jackie Robinson.

Following his second All-Star appearance and a .301 batting average in 2022, Anderson's production nose-dived for the remainder of his career, never recovering after another high-profile on-field scuffle.

In August of 2023, Anderson and Guardians superstar Jose Ramirez were involved in a chaotic, benches-clearing brawl which saw both players throw punches.

In the midst of the brawl, Ramirez delivered a brutal right hook to Anderson, which knocked him down to the dirt below.

Anderson received a five-game suspension for the brawl, while Ramirez's punishment was reduced to just two games after an appeal.

He ultimately apologized for his role in the brawl amid a "disappointing season for me personally and for our team."

Anderson spent his final two MLB seasons suiting up for the Marlins (2024) and Angels (2025). Jason Szenes / New York Post

"As you can see, the game brung a lot of good moments," an emotional Anderson said through tears on Monday, "but it also brung lot of pain. It gives me anxiety just even … talking about baseball. I'm sweating now.

"I want to be open as I can. The game brought a lot of pain, a lot of great moments, but just throughout playing, it definitely was a lot of dark moments."

The White Sox moved on from Anderson in the offseason as he ended his career with a pair of disappointing stints with the Marlins (2024) and Angels (2025) .

The White Sox intend to honor Anderson on Sept. 17 ahead of the team's matchup versus the Tigers.

"Waking up and being able to be around my kids and really living a real life, because life is bigger than trying to make people happy with a bat and a ball, you know what I mean?" Anderson said. "So now that I get to step outside of that and see what life is, I'm really enjoying it."

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