Mark Reynolds, one of the baseball’s great contradictions, has announced his retirement after 13 seasons in the NBL.
The big-hitting 36-year-old infielder broke the news while appearing on Chris Russo’s Mad Dog Radio Show on Thursday.
He said: I’m retired, actually. I guess that’s breaking the news on your show. I haven’t really told anybody.”
Reynolds has not played in the Major League since his release last July by the Colorado Rockies. It was one of the eight clubs he had moved between since 2007.
First there was the Arizona Diamondbacks (2007–2010), Baltimore Orioles (2011–2012), Cleveland Indians (2013) and New York Yankees (2013).
Next came the Milwaukee Brewers (2014), St. Louis Cardinals (2015), Colorado Rockies (2016–2017), Washington Nationals (2018), and once more the Rockies (2019).
Reynolds hit 298 home runs
During this time he established himself as one of the game’s big hitters. He blasted a total of 298 career homers while bringing in a total of 871 runs.
He also hit some of the longest home runs of his era. One of the most celebrated soared 481 feet in 2009.
It was with the Diamond Backs when he established career season highs in HRs (44), RBIs (102), stolen bases (24), and runs scored (98).
That was the big upside of Mark Andrew Reynolds. There was, however, also a larger-than-average downside.
It was what made him one of the game’s great contradictions. While smashing the ball out of the park, he was also missing it more than most big bombers.
Ninth most strikeouts in MLB history
“Yes, we’ll bottle the loyalty that they’ve had not only this year, but ever since the Lakers have been in Los Angeles.
“Hopefully we’re able to channel that energy, channel that focus and bring them with us. This either at Staples without fans or somewhere else in isolation.”
The NBA is reportedly exploring the possibility of holding the entire postseason in one location – Las Vegas. It is one of the few venues that will have sufficient accommodation to house all the teams.
“I believe once (the pandemic) is under control and they allow us to resume some type of activity, I would love to get the season back and up and running again,” James, continued.
“I feel like we’re in a position where we can get back and start to compete for a championship. We can get back to doing what we love to do. And that’s to make our Laker faithful proud of us.”
James at his brilliant best this season
With 1,927 career strikeouts Reynolds has had the 9th most in MLB history. He can take some comfort, though, that Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson (2.597) and Jim Thorpe (2,548) top the list.
Reynolds is also the only player in baseball history to have struck out at least 200 times in three seasons
For one of those he holds the single-season record for strikeouts with 223. That was in 2009 when ironically he also notched up those four batting career highs already mentioned.
The other two seasons when he topped the 200 mark in strikeouts came in 2008 with 2004 and 2010 with 211.
Because of his spectacular see-saw ride in the NBL, Reynolds won’t be easily forgotten.
There can’t be too many NBL players who have matched his combined record of homers, strikeouts and clubs played for.