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Fan-favorite player has retired from MLB

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated Oct 6, 2025 4:41 PM ET

A fan favorite who is best known for his postseason heroics with the Tampa Bay Rays has decided to retire from Major League Baseball.

Brett Phillips shared a four-minute social media post on Sunday announcing that he has retired. The former outfielder stood in front of a white board that featured the names of several people he wanted to thank from the five different teams he played for during his seven-year MLB career.

Phillips, who wore a T-shirt that said “Baseball is Fun,” thanked his family, agent, friends, scouts, former managers, former teammates and more.

To my teammates, as I look back on my career I can say with certainty that you all made my time in professional baseball the most fun and I appreciate each and every one of you for how you treated and welcomed me into this game, thank you! pic.twitter.com/g7yUCgWofk
— Maverick Phillips (@Brett_Phillips8) October 6, 2025

In addition to the Rays, the 31-year-old Phillips played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals, Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Angels.

Though he batted just .187 during his career, Phillips will always be remembered as a postseason hero in Tampa. His walk-off hit lifted the Rays to victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the World Series in 2020. The Dodgers won the series, but Phillips created a memorable moment with his timely hit and the way he celebrated it.

More recently, Phillips tried to make an MLB comeback as a pitcher. That did not work out, and he has now chosen to hang up the cleats for good.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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