Blue Jays React to Retirement Announcement on Wednesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Elie A. Deglaoui | Last updated Jul 2, 2025 5:36 PM ET

The MLB season has been ongoing for a few months up to this point, but players from all around the league are still continuing to make major decisions on their playing future. This proved to be no different on Wednesday.

In a recent appearance on the Foul Territory podcast , 13-year MLB veteran Kevin Pillar officially announced his retirement from the league. The 36-year-old began the season with the Texas Rangers but was DFA'd after 20 games.

Though he played for numerous teams throughout his MLB career, Pillar is best known for his seven-year career with the Toronto Blue Jays. Following his retirement announcement, the Blue Jays took to social media to give their reaction.

Pillar has not been a member of the Blue Jays since they traded him to the San Francisco Giants in April 2019. Even so, he was a key part of the team's success in the 2010s.

On Wednesday, the Blue Jays took to social media to send a message to Pillar after he announced his retirement: "Congrats on an amazing career, @KPILLAR4! You will always be our Superman ."

Congrats on an amazing career, @KPILLAR4!

You will always be our Superman pic.twitter.com/S3zigdMzWn
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 2, 2025

The California native spent the first seven seasons of his career in Toronto. During that stretch, he hit .260 at the plate and recorded a total of 55 home runs and 231 RBIs. Since getting traded from the Blue Jays, Pillar played for nine different teams and did not spend multiple seasons with any of them.

Pillar is not going to make it to the Hall of Fame or anything, but he was a very solid player at his peak, and one who seemingly made an impact during his time with the Blue Jays.

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

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