Matt Beaty Announces Retirement from MLB

Matt Beaty, a former MLB player known for his contributions to four teams over five seasons, has announced his retirement. Beaty shared the news on Instagram on Monday, August 24. Reflecting on his career, Beaty expressed the decision to move on, acknowledging the challenging process of letting go like leaving his role in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2020 World Series championship run.

In his Instagram post, Beaty discussed the internal debate he’s faced since his last at-bat nearly two years ago. He questioned whether to continue pursuing opportunities in baseball or to transition to a new chapter in life. Ultimately, he stated that deep down, he recognized his final game had already been played.

Beaty, now 33, played 305 MLB games across four different teams. He spent time with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2019-21), San Diego Padres (2022), San Francisco Giants (2023), and Kansas City Royals (2023). His career included 15 postseason appearances with the Dodgers, notably participating in the 2020 season when they won the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

In 2024, Beaty also played 53 minor league games for the Arizona Diamondbacks before his release in September that year. Despite remaining a free agent since then, Beaty cherished the friendships, experiences, and mindset that his baseball journey instilled in him. In reflecting on his career, Beaty noted specific successes during his early years with the Dodgers. Between 2019 and 2021, Beaty hit .262/.333/.425 (100 OPS+) with the Dodgers, particularly thriving as a left-handed hitter. During his rookie season, he achieved career-high statistics including 268 plate appearances, nine home runs, 46 RBIs, 19 doubles, a .458 slugging percentage, and a .775 OPS.

According to Beaty on Instagram, baseball provided him with valuable relationships, diverse experiences, and insights, shaping his perspective and mindset for the future.