Breaking News: Pirates’ Reliability And Versatility Star Announces Retirement From Baseball

Having not appeared in a Major League game since the conclusion of the 2022 season, it would be understandable to assume that former Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star infielder had already retired. However, that wasn’t the case—until now. He officially announced his retirement today in a post on his X account.

In the detailed message, He revealed he’s stepping away from baseball after a 12-season MLB career, most of which he spent with the Pirates.

A two-time All-Star (2014 and 2017) and recipient of the 2014 Heart and Hustle Award—given to the player who best represents the game’s values and spirit—Harrison had been attempting a comeback in 2024 with the Cincinnati Reds. But having been out of the sport since March 2023, he confirmed today that he will no longer pursue a return.

This ride was nothing short of amazing! God is good! 🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/t8HqK7bs2k

— Josh Harrison (@jhay_da_man) May 31, 2025

Brought Reliability And Versatility To The Pirates

Over the course of his 12-year Major League career, Josh Harrison compiled a .270 batting average, a .316 on-base percentage, and a .396 slugging percentage. He finishes his career with 73 home runs, 1,080 hits, 218 doubles, 91 stolen bases, 4,347 plate appearances, and 1,208 games played. Harrison also earned two All-Star selections and had a standout campaign in 2014, when he finished ninth in National League MVP voting.

 

 

The 2014 season was the pinnacle of Harrison’s career. The aggressive, versatile infielder batted a career-high .315 while playing five different positions and racking up 5.6 Wins Above Replacement—more than double his second-best season. That performance earned him a four-year, \$27.3 million contract extension with the Pirates in April 2015, and from 2016 onward, he held down the starting second base job.

Throughout his 1,208-game career, Harrison appeared at every position except catcher. He played 646 games at second base, 338 at third, 78 in left field, 71 in right, 47 at shortstop, two in center field, one at first base, and even made six appearances on the mound to help preserve the bullpen. While teammates like Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte were the offensive stars, Harrison’s versatility and reliability made him a valuable asset all over the diamond.

After parting ways with Pittsburgh in 2019, however, Harrison’s career entered a decline. He had stints with the Tigers, Nationals, Athletics, White Sox, and Phillies, playing his last full season in 2022 with Chicago. Despite remaining a useful player, he never regained the consistency or impact he had during his years with the Pirates.

Career Wind-Down Post-Pittsburgh

Throughout his career, Harrison’s postseason opportunities were limited, largely due to the Pirates’ overall difficulties; the former sixth-round draft pick by the Chicago Cubs appeared in only four playoff games. However, he did make the Team USA roster for the 2017 World Baseball Classic, participating in two games, and later joined the Texas Rangers organization for the latter part of the 2023 season.

Harrison’s final tenure with the Reds organization in 2024 was brief. It served as somewhat of a homecoming since he was born in Cincinnati and played college baseball for the Cincinnati Bearcats, but he never reached the Reds’ major league roster. After being informed he wouldn’t make the team following spring training, he chose to opt out of his minor league contract and has not been signed by any team in the subsequent 14 months.

Despite this, Harrison’s period with the Pirates was memorable, and he leaves the game with a strong reputation in the baseball community. In his retirement message, he expressed gratitude to all the organizations he played for and to baseball itself, closing with advice for upcoming players.

“To the game of baseball, thank you for shaping me, humbling me, and providing a platform to grow—not just as an athlete, but as a person,” he wrote. “I’m fortunate to have been a two-time All-Star and to have played for as long as I did. I never aimed to prove others wrong, only to affirm my own convictions.”

He added, “To future players: don’t let others’ expectations hold you back from reaching your full potential. Work hard and claim what you deserve.”