Former Red Sox All-Star, World Series Champion Officially Ends Career In Middle Of Season

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 27: A position of a Boston Red Sox logo connected a container connected the section earlier the crippled against the Baltimore Orioles astatine Oriole Park astatine Camden Yards connected August 27, 2025 successful Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

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Matt Barnes spent the mostly of his master profession successful a Boston Red Sox uniform, going from a first-round draught prime retired of UConn to a cardinal personnel of Boston's bullpen and yet an All-Star.

His profession besides included 1 of the biggest achievements successful baseball: a World Series title astatine Fenway Park.

Now, aft much than a decade of master shot astatine the highest level, Barnes has decided that his playing profession is over, making his charismatic announcement arsenic his aged squad navigates a tumultuous and ongoing season.

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Former Boston Red Sox All-Star Suddenly Announces Retirement

Barnes officially announced his status successful a individual connection to fans connected societal media, teammates and the statement that drafted him. It was not instantly clear why Barnes chose now arsenic the clip to make the announcement, but he hasn’t sounded successful connection shot since he elected free agency from the Washington Nationals statement successful May 2024.

“From being drafted by the Red Sox retired of Uconn successful 2011, making my Major League debut successful 2014, winning a World Series successful Boston and experiencing Fenway Park arsenic my location are memories I’ll transportation for the remainder of my life,” Barnes wrote successful his retirement update connected Threads. “As 1 section closes, I’m excited for what’s ahead.”

The erstwhile right-hander besides made a constituent of addressing the statement that gave him his first opportunity to scope the majors.

“To the Red Sox organization,” Barnes added. “You gave maine the opportunity to deterioration 1 of the astir iconic uniforms successful sports, and I will ever cherish that. Winning a World Series successful Boston and experiencing Fenway Park arsenic my location are memories I’ll transportation for the remainder of my life.”

For Boston fans, Barnes' profession is intimately connected to the successful play that produced the franchise's 2018 championship.

Former Boston Red Sox World Series Champion Sends Retirement Message Amid Wild Season

Barnes spent 9 seasons pinch the Red Sox and made big-league appearances crossed 11 full seasons successful his career.

“Barnes was a solid-late inning reliever for the Red Sox passim astir of his career, which included a 2021 All-Star action erstwhile he had a ascendant first half and vanished the play pinch a 3.75 ERA complete 60 appearances,” Justin Terranova reported for the New York Post.

That 2021 play represented the highest of Barnes' individual career. He earned his lone All-Star action aft dominating opposing hitters during the first half of the play and establishing himself arsenic 1 of Boston's astir trusted bullpen arms.

For a subordinate who erstwhile dreamed of reaching Fenway Park, Barnes tin adjacent his profession knowing he accomplished thing fewer players ever do: he became an All-Star and World Series champion pinch his hometown-of-baseball organization.

And arsenic Barnes himself put it, 1 section has closed. Another is now beginning.