Andrus retires as Ranger after 15-year career

ARLINGTON -- Ron Washington recalled the first time he ever hit ground balls to Elvis Andrus. Washington said that Andrus, still a teenager, slashed his hand across his neck, signaling that he was finished.

“He was a puppy,” Washington said earnestly. “I called him over after that and I told him, ‘As long as you’re living, don't you ever do that to me. Go back out there, and I'll let you know when we’re done. We're working on something. I'll let you know when it's over.’ He went back out there, and I hit him one more ground ball.’”

That would be the start of a long and beautiful partnership between the former Rangers manager and his longtime shortstop. It was the start of a long career for Andrus as well.

On Friday at Globe Life Field, Andrus announced his retirement as an active player after playing the first 12 seasons of his 15-year Major League career in Arlington. He signed a one-day contract to officially retire as a Texas Ranger. At the press conference, Andrus was joined by Washington, who is the current manager of the Angels, and former teammate, Rangers Hall of Famer Michael Young.

“Today is a day of joy in my life,” Andrus said “It's a day that brings so many good memories. A day to remember how blessed I've been in the past 15 years, how this incredible organization, the Texas Rangers, chose to trade the Atlanta Braves for a 18-year-old shortstop from Venezuela named Elvis.

“It's not a sad day for me. It's a joy, because I did what I was asked to do. I gave my best effort every single day, and we accomplished some great things here for the Rangers.”

Andrus was signed by the Braves out of Venezuela when he was 16, but on July 31, 2007, Andrus was traded to the Rangers as part of a package that sent Mark Teixeira and Ron Mahay to the Braves. He made his MLB debut at 20 years old, joining a jam-packed Rangers infield with the likes of Young and Ian Kinsler. Hall of Famer Adrian Beltre would join in 2011.

Andrus finished his MLB career with a .269 batting average to go along with 2,091 hits, 102 homers, 775 RBIs and 347 stolen bases in 2,059 career games with the Rangers (2009-20), A’s (2021-22) and White Sox (2022-23).

“This kid was so sharp at a young age when he came up, and he was a very fortunate kid because of the players that surround him: Mike, Kinsler, Mitch Moreland, Nelson Cruz, Beltre,” Washington said. “He had people around him that stayed on him and wouldn't let him get away with anything. I think that created the man you see standing up here right now. That's why his career lasted as long as it’s lasted. And I'm so happy that he went out on his own terms.”

Often seen as the Young guy on a team of veterans, Andrus brought a youthful energy to some of the best years in Rangers history. He grew up as a Ranger surrounded by Young and Beltre and Kinsler, but it was a reciprocal relationship for all of them.

“As much as everyone gives us credit for the things that we did for him, he did a ton for us, too, even for me personally,” Young said. “It was so good for me to have someone so young and so energetic. It was refreshing for me. It gave me a bit of a jolt to my career at that stage, so I'm thankful for him.”

Andrus played for Oakland and Chicago over the last few years of his career, but he made his mark during his 12 years with the Rangers, when he finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2009, was named an All-Star twice and helped Texas to a pair of AL Pennants in 2010-11.

He is the Rangers’ all-time leader with 305 stolen bases, ranks second in games, at-bats (6,366), and triples (48), and is third in runs (893) and hits (1,743).

“I never saw myself in terms of numbers,” Andrus said. “A lot of people ask me what am I most proud of? I say that I gave everything I had every single day, every single year. I had the most fun. For me, the game is fun. I played this game because it was a way for me to, first of all, get out of Venezuela and have an opportunity for me and my family. But secondly, how blessed are we that our job is playing baseball? I always reminded myself that.”

As a professional athlete in his mid-30s, Andrus said he knew he would have to think about retirement soon. After not breaking camp with the Diamondbacks this spring, the decision loomed.

He decided that being with his family, taking his children to school every day and being more present were calling to him more than another season of baseball. He’s more than happy for this next chapter of his life.

“I think that it was a tough decision, but I'm very pleased and happy with the decision to retire with the Rangers,” he said. “It’s an honor for me to be here.”