Dodgers to honor retiring Ethier with ceremony

PHILADELPHIA -- Andre Ethier announced his retirement Wednesday through the Dodgers, who will hold a pregame retirement ceremony Aug. 3 before a 7:10 p.m. PT game against the Houston Astros at Dodger Stadium.
Ethier, who played all 12 MLB seasons with the Dodgers, was on seven division-title teams and made eight postseason appearances from 2006-17. He hit .285 with 303 doubles, 162 home runs and 687 RBIs. Ethier was a two-time All-Star who also won a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove.
"I look forward to coming back to Los Angeles and Dodger Stadium, places I'm so lucky to have called home for the last 12 years," Ethier said in a statement. "There's nothing like stepping out on the field at Dodger Stadium and looking up and seeing the faithful Dodger Blue supporting you, and I'm grateful for the reception and support I received in all my years playing there. I'm humbled by this evening and look forward to sharing it all with you."
The 36-year-old Ethier's final two seasons with the Dodgers were marked by leg and back injuries. The Dodgers bought out the final-year option in his contract last winter. Ethier healed in the offseason, but never signed with another club. His last at-bat was a pinch-hit RBI single in Game 7 of the World Series against the Astros.
Ethier ranks among Los Angeles Dodgers leaders in games (1,455, 7th), hits (1,367, 7th), extra-base hits (499, 4th), doubles (3rd), homers (tied for 8th) and RBIs (6th). He holds the Los Angeles record for hit by pitches (58) and also recorded hits in 10 consecutive at-bats, which tied Edward Konetchy's franchise record set in 1919. His 30-game hitting streak from April 2-May 6, 2011, remains the second longest in franchise history behind only Willie Davis' 31-game run in 1969.
Originally drafted by Oakland in the second round out of Arizona State University in 2003, Ethier came to the Dodgers in general manager Ned Colletti's first trade, for Milton Bradley and Antonio Perez.
During his time with the Dodgers, Ethier was an enthusiastic supporter of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, donating $375,000, with a particular interest in the Union Rescue Mission's Learning Center, which is named after Ethier and his wife, Maggie.
His contributions also supported four-year scholarships for three current Jackie Robinson Foundation/Ethier Family Scholars attending college at Arizona State and the University of Arizona. In addition to the monetary support, Ethier partnered with LADF on Dre Dayz, a program that gave more than 700 youth from 24 different organizations supported by LADF the opportunity to watch batting practice from the field and enjoy the game in a premium suite.