Stephen Vogt announces retirement at end of 2022 campaign

It was clear that Stephen Vogt was nearing the end of the line. He had struggled in his second tour of duty with the Oakland A’s, the third consecutive season where he had put together a subpar season. As he will be 38 years old on November 1, it seemed likely that his playing days were drawing to an end.

That is indeed the case. Vogt announced on Thursday that he will be retiring at the end of the season, his ten year major league career coming to an end.

Stephen Vogt calls it quits

Vogt’s career got off to an inauspicious start. He failed to get a hit in any of his 27 plate appearances in 2012, the only player who was on an Opening Day roster not to collect at least one hit in the majors that year. The A’s then purchased Vogt at the beginning of the 2013 season, giving him a chance behind the plate and in the outfield.

That chance was all that Vogt needed. He became a solid piece for the A’s, a two time All Star behind the plate with decent pop and a solid arm. While he faltered in 2017 before being placed on waivers, he was able to resurrect his career with the Brewers and the Giants.

Despite appearing in over half of his teams games just four times in his ten year major league career, he put together a solid stat line. He has posted a .239/.302/.406 batting line in his 2580 plate appearances to this point, hitting 81 homers and 121 doubles. It may not be a Hall of Fame career, but it was a strong performance for a player who did not get a full season in the majors until he was 30 years old.

Stephen Vogt had a solid career in the majors. Now, after a ten year career, the Oakland A’s backstop is ready to retire.