Veteran shortstop Furcal announces retirement

Published May 03, 2016

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Kansas City Royals announced that 14-year veteran shortstop Rafael Furcal retired on Tuesday.

Hamstring, shoulder, back and elbow injuries took their toll on Furcal over his career and limited him to just nine major league games since 2012. The 37-year-old was rehabbing with the Royals after sustaining a torn hamstring in the Dominican Winter League during the offseason.

Furcal burst onto the scene with Atlanta in 2000, winning National League Rookie of the Year as a 22-year-old after batting .295 with a .382 on-base percentage and 40 stolen bases. He would go on to reach three All-Star Games, one each with the Braves, Dodgers and Cardinals.

In 1,614 games, Furcal batted .281 with a .346 on-base percentage and finished his career with 1,817 hits, 113 home runs and 314 stolen bases. In addition to the power and speed he provided at the top of the lineup, he was known for a strong arm and solid defense at shortstop.

Furcal won his only World Series with St. Louis in 2011 after being acquired in a trade deadline deal from Los Angeles.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/veteran-shortstop-furcal-announces-retirement