After 10 seasons in The Show, Mitch Garver is hanging up his cleats.
The former Mariners catcher confirmed to MLB.com last Thursday that he was indeed retiring, shortly after which he revealed a message of gratitude on Instagram.
“I don’t really know what to say to all the people who have helped me get this far because ‘thank you’ just doesn’t do it justice,” Garver said. “To the teammates, coaches, trainers, clubbies, kitchen staff, front offices, and everyone who makes the game work: you all have been a massive influence on the player I turned out to be -- thank you."
He also thanked his wife, Sarah, and his parents, Gail and Jerry.
“Our family has grown and I’m so lucky with the two beautiful boys I have (and the dogs obviously),” Garver wrote. “Thank you for being the best wife, mother, and manager I could ask for. To my parents, from day one, taking me to games and tournaments and being supportive no matter how I played, tee ball to the World Series -- that’s the model I want to be for my own children.”
Garver was released by the Mariners the day after this year’s Trade Deadline, when the club opted for Jhonny Pereda at backup catcher. That capped three years for the veteran in Seattle, which began with a two-year, $24 million free-agent contract to be a full-time designated hitter.
Though his production never reached the level that Garver or the Mariners had hoped, he was an instrumental clubhouse piece behind the scenes -- and well-respected by teammates.
He's hinted at interest in both coaching and media opportunities once his playing days were over -- each of which he'd probably excel in. It's likely that he won't wander too far from the game.
