Erik Kratz promised his daughter that he would give her a puppy after their last major league game. This offseason, the catcher kept his word.
“We bought the puppy and we are enjoying it,” Kratz said in a video posted on one of his social networks. “It’s time to be home.”
The 40-year-old Kratz concluded his playing career with the Yankees this season, hitting .321 / .367 / .393 in 16 regular-season games.
“There is no doubt that my next season will not be as a player,” said Kratz. “I have decided not to continue playing. The truth is, I don’t know how to say it; I think it is a bit presumptuous to say that I am retiring. I think the ones who can say they are retiring are the ones who are heading to the Hall of Fame or who are close, the franchise players.
The Bombers highly valued the abilities of Kratz, who was a guiding presence for the group of young launchers. Kratz’s impact was primarily strong around rookie Deivi Garcia, who debuted in the majors with Kratz behind the plate on Aug. 30.
Chosen by the Blue Jays in the 2002 Draft, Kratz came to the Big Top with the Pirates in 2010 and donned nine uniforms, watching action with the Pirates (2010, 2016), Phillies (2011-2013, 2015), Blue Jays (2014 ), Royals (2014-2015), Astros (2016), Yankees (2017, 2020), Brewers (2018), Giants (2019) and Rays (2019).
In 332 major league games, Kratz had a .209 / .256 / .355 offensive line with 31 home runs and 105 RBIs. He also sold out 3,419 minor league at-bats and made nine pitching appearances, including two games for the Yankees this year, when he also demonstrated his talent as a knucklehead.
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