Baltimore Orioles Colby Rasmus walks away from baseball yet again
For the second year in a row, Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colby Rasmus has walked away from baseball in the middle of the season.
Colby Rasmus had been having a solid 2017 for the Tampa Bay Rays. He produced a .281/.318/.579 batting line, hitting seven doubles and nine homers in 129 plate appearances before walking away from the game in the middle of the season, seemingly ending his career at 30 years old. However, he had a change of heart, making a return after signing with the Baltimore Orioles this offseason.
That return was relatively short lived. Rasmus has had another change of heart, and has decided to walk away from baseball yet again, informing the Orioles that he is leaving the game behind. He has been placed on the restricted list, in case he changes his mind yet again during the season.
Colby Rasmus told Buck Showalter today that he was going to go home and discontinue his career, and the Orioles honored that, Buck said.
— Jon Meoli (@JonMeoli) July 3, 2018
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Unlike last season, the 2018 campaign has been a disaster for Rasmus. He had only six hits in his 49 plate appearances, with a double and a homer as his only extra base hits. Rasmus also drew just three walks while striking out 19 times. Usually regarded as a respectable defensive outfielder, Rasmus was mediocre at best this season, saving a run, but with below average range at all three positions.
Even though Rasmus has not officially retired, it is difficult to imagine that he makes a return. Not only did he have a horrendous performance this year, but this marks the second consecutive season that he has walked away from the game in the middle of the year. If he does look to make another comeback, can a team really trust Rasmus to stick around for the duration of the season?
In addition to his unceremonious departures from the game over the past two seasons, Rasmus leaves behind a mixed legacy. He had been a former top prospect, a consensus top ten player prior to 2008 and 2009. However, his production never measured up to his talent, as he had a lifetime .241/.310/.436 batting line with 166 homers. Attitude questions also dogged Rasmus throughout his career, as he left several teams on questionable terms.
Colby Rasmus has walked away from baseball yet again, this time leaving the Baltimore Orioles in the middle of the season. At this point, his career may well be over, even if he has not officially retired.