Former World Series champion announces retirement

Matt Adams returns to St. Louis.

This week, he signed a one-day contract with the Cardinals in a ceremonial gesture that allows him to officially retire with the team that first drafted him. It’s a fitting way for him to end his career in the place he now calls home.

On Wednesday, the Cardinals will hold events at Busch Stadium to honor Adams’ career and welcome him back to the stadium where he gave fans an unforgettable moment in October. Fans should probably count on the team to show his playoff home run off Clayton Kershaw more than a few times, maybe even a few dozen.

After 1,501 professional games, including a National League title in 2013, a World Series title in 2019 and 122 major league home runs — including that unforgettable playoff walk-off homer against the Dodgers — Adams officially announced his retirement on social media late Sunday night.

In an interview with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Adams spoke about his decision and the start of a new chapter in a game that has already taken him many places in pursuit of his dream.

“I love this game,” Adams said. “I feel like I still have a lot to offer the game. It’ll be in a different role. I know I could have a say in coaching and management and be able to be a mentor and help these guys get to the level they’re supposed to get to.”

Adams last played in the major leagues with Colorado in 2021. Since then, he has continued to pursue the game, playing independent ball with the Kansas City Monarchs, having a strong spring with the Washington Nationals and hitting 17 homers in 102 games in 2023 for their Triple-A affiliate in Rochester, N.Y.

The call from another Major League Baseball organization never came, but the Mexican League did. Before every home game, he would commute from San Diego, cross the border to Tijuana to put on the uniform of his team, the Toros.

“There were days when I was in the middle of the desert in Mexico, and I was like, ‘If I finish this season and I don’t make it back to the big leagues, maybe it’s time,'” Adams said.

“I just turned 36. I know I’m not getting any younger, but I still feel like I can do it. There were days where I weighed the pros and cons of trying to keep going or saying, ‘I had a great career.’ I can look back with no regrets because I went to an independent league, I went to Mexico and I went to the minor leagues for the first time in 10 years. I really gave myself the best chance. And I didn’t get a chance to come back.”

His return to St. Louis is just the end of a chapter for Adams, whose baseball story is far from over.

“This is my home now,” Adams said. “It means being able to retire after a playing career with the team that gave me the opportunity to pursue my dream – and it’s home. It’s a very important moment for me.”

“Let’s see what this next chapter has in store for us.”