Orioles Chris Davis announces his retirement

by Brian Hradsky · August 12, 2021

Baltimore Orioles slugger Chris Davis announced his retirement releasing a statement on the Orioles Twitter account. Davis had hip surgery earlier this season and has not played all year. The Orioles originally acquired Davis and Tommy Hunter for reliever Koji Uehara in 2011.

Davis has spent over a decade with the Baltimore Orioles and was a keystone member of the Buck Showalter era Orioles that made the playoffs repeatedly and won the AL East in 2014. Davis’ best year was in 2013 when he broke the Orioles home run record blasting 53 home runs, earning his only All-Star appearance and winning a Silver Slugger award, he also finished third in MVP voting that season.

2015 was another monster year for Davis where he hit 47 home runs, he would follow that up with a 38 home run season. The Orioles rewarded Davis with a seven-year $161 million contract, the biggest contract in Orioles history and in Baltimore sports history at the time, (still the largest, but Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will likely break it).

After the 2016 season the injuries started piling up for Davis and his downfall started. Even with some rough years Davis was active in the community and a good presence in the Orioles locker room.

Davis said in his statement that he will continue to be active in the Orioles community.

Here are the statements released by Davis and the Orioles.

Athletes have the power to change lives and better their communities, and Chris and his family have done just that. pic.twitter.com/9aLSD0Uaqf

— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) August 12, 2021