Since the 2016 season has come to an end for Major League Baseball (MLB), there has been news all over the league since. With retirements, trades, and hall of fame announcements. The Boys of Summer will be taking the field in April which seems like a long ways away but is right around the corner. For part one, I will take you back on the four retirees from 2016. The four players includes two Davids and two New York Yankees players. Players are: David Ortiz, Alex Rodriguez, David Ross, and Mark Teixeira.

David Ortiz

The face of the Boston Red Sox for the past two decades, David Ortiz or known as Big Papi. Ortiz will be dearly missed in Boston and across the league. He had the biggest heart for all and mainly for the game of baseball. Ortiz was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. In 1992 Ortiz was signed by Seattle Mariners as an amateur free agent. Five years later with the Minnesota Twins, Ortiz has his MLB debut on September 2, 1997. Just a few years later, Ortiz signed with Boston in 2003.

Ortiz has received numerous awards throughout the years and but through all the awards, he has stayed grounded and humble throughout the years. Since he has played for the Red Sox, Ortiz has been in 10 All Star Games, has received one Most Valuable Player (MVP) award across the league, seven Silver Slugger awards, 1 World Series MVP award, and 1 Roberto Clemente award. With all the success Ortiz had, he managed to collect 3 World Series Rings.

After 19 years in the MLB, Ortiz ended his career with 541 Home Runs (HR), 1,768 Runs Batted In (RBI), and had an average batting percent of .286 (AVG). Ortiz was a player that was looked at for his respect, his laugh, and his big heart. He did a lot for the Red Sox but also for Boston in the community. Ortiz will be missed by fans of baseball, the community, and his team. David Ortiz, #34, retired as a Boston Red Sox, 2016.

Alex Rodriguez

A year after legendary player Derek Jeter hung up his jersey, a former New York Yankees teammate, Alex Rodriguez, knowns as A-Rod, decided to do the same thing. Rodriguez played 21 years in the MLB. Even though he had drug allegations the past two seasons, Rodriguez is still known for his talent on the field and what he did for the various teams he played on. Rodriguez was drafted straight out of high school in the 1st round and was the first pick of the 1993 amateur draft. When Rodriguez was 18, he made his debut on July 8, 1994 as a Seattle Mariner. After playing seven years in Seattle, Rodriguez then went to Texas for three years then in 2004, he made his home in New York becoming a Yankee. Rodriguez was known for his hitting and his amazing glove at third base. He appeared in 14 All-Star Games, collected a total of 6 MVPs awards. Three across the league, and three in the American League. Rodriguez also managed to rally in 2 Gold Gloves and 10 Silver Slugger Awards. In 2009 he finally got his World Series Ring. Rodriguez ended his career with 2,086 RBIs, 696 HRs, and had an average batting average with .295. Yankee fans will now miss there double threat at shortstop and third base.

Mark Teixeira

After 13 years in the league, First Baseman, Mark Teixeira, decided to join teammate A-Rod to hang it up. From Georgia Tech University, Teixeira was drafted as the 5th pick in the 1st round of the 2001 draft to the Texas Rangers. Teixeira made his debut on April 1, 2003. He was on four different teams while he was in the league. Teixeira spent four and half years with Rangers, one and half years in Atlanta, half year in Anaheim, and eight years in New York where he eventually retired. He played in 3 All-Star Games, earned 7 American MVPs Awards, received 5 Golden Gloves, and added 3 Silver Slugger Awards. To top off his resume, Teixeira helped the Yankees win the World Series in 2009 to get his first ring. He ended his career with a Batting Average at .268, had 1,298 RBIs, and rallied up 409 homeruns. With the retirement of Teixeira, Yankee fans will have to find their new First Baseman.

David Ross

16 years later with seven different teams, Catcher, David Ross decided his career was over. Ross was lucky to go out in fashion unlike the other three. Ross’s last game was in Game 7 of the World Series with the Cubs winning the World Series since 1908. Ross was drafted from University of Florida in 1998 by the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 2002, he made his debut as a Dodger. One thing Ross liked to do was go to many different teams. He was in Los Angeles for two years, half a year in Pittsburgh, half year in San Diego, two years in Cincinnati, one year in Boston, three years in Atlanta, another year in Boston, and one year in Chicago. Ross was not one to collect many awards and he did everything and anything for the teams he played on. He was able to collect 2 World Series Rings, one in Boston and one in Chicago. Ross will be missed for his dedication to the league, his teammates, and the game.

All four players did much more than play baseball. Each one played for the team on the front of their jerseys and the name on the back. David Ortiz, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, and David Ross will be missed by fans across the league, in their locker rooms/ dugouts, in the communities and the game itself.

2016 Retirees:

David Ortiz, Big Papi, Boston Red Sox #34

Alex Rodriguez, A-Rod, New York Yankees #13

Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees #25

David Ross, Chicago Cubs, #3