Prince Fielder's career ends due to medical issues

[davego]

Thanks for the memories, Prince. Very appreciative of what you did for the 'crew.

[monkeyman343434]

Prince Fielder is not even close to being a HOF player nor should retiring his number even be considered.

 

That being said Braun/Fielder combo was one of the greatest things in franchise history. Miss those days a lot.

 

 

Frustrating that for such a powerhouse 1-2 combo that Brewers have a NLCS appearance and wild card appearance as only thing to show for it.

 

Thanks Doug Melvin!

[dlk9s]

Prince Fielder is not even close to being a HOF player nor should retiring his number even be considered.

 

That being said Braun/Fielder combo was one of the greatest things in franchise history. Miss those days a lot.

 

Maybe someday Braun & Fielder can have a combined statue outside Miller Park. Pretty much the best 3/4 combo in the past 20 years of Brewers history.

Perhaps a statue of the two of them laying in the outfield together?

 

[superfly]

Was being nostalgic watching some youtube videos of 2008/2011. Man, was that a fun time between CC / Braun / Fielder / Tony plush. Sad to see him go but health must come first.

[AdvantageSchneider]

Prince Fielder is not even close to being a HOF player nor should retiring his number even be considered.

 

That being said Braun/Fielder combo was one of the greatest things in franchise history. Miss those days a lot.

 

 

Frustrating that for such a powerhouse 1-2 combo that Brewers have a NLCS appearance and wild card appearance as only thing to show for it.

 

Thanks Doug Melvin!

 

Just like Billy Beane is the reason the A's haven't won the WS either.

[RobDeer 45]

This really bums me out. I haven't thought of him that much over the last several years but this brings back a lot of memories. It was such a fun time to be a Brewers fan. He was one of the main reasons. Prince was the leader of this group. I really do hope he wants to be a part of a few things here and there with the organization. My guess is we won't hear from him much once he's gone. He seems like he'd rather be out of the spotlight, but that's just a guess.

[Ennder]

Prince Fielder is not even close to being a HOF player nor should retiring his number even be considered.

 

That being said Braun/Fielder combo was one of the greatest things in franchise history. Miss those days a lot.

 

 

Frustrating that for such a powerhouse 1-2 combo that Brewers have a NLCS appearance and wild card appearance as only thing to show for it.

 

 

They played 4 full seasons together. 2 playoff's is hardly some sort of tragedy. Yeah the team stunk it up in the playoffs but both of those seasons they had world series capable rosters, it just didn't happen.

 

Yount and Molitor played 13 full seasons together and made the playoffs 2 times together and they are both in the HOF, that is the tragedy.

[hawing]

I have way too many happy Prince Fielder memories to ever choose one favorite, but I'll post this one because it turned out to be my favorite game of 2010:

 

 

Down by three going into the bottom of the ninth. The first batter is out, then the rest of the way is Kottaras BB, Joe Inglett HR (!), Rickie gets on, Corey gets on, and Prince hits a low rocket at just the right angle to take a weird carom off the RF wall, allowing Corey just enough time to score. We were so happy that night, despite the overall meaninglessness of that game.

 

This morning on our bus, an older woman (older than me) wanted to make sure we noticed she was wearing a Fielder shirsey today, in tribute to the big guy. Usually she's in typical office-work clothing with her white hair in a bun, reading. So that's cool.

 

Best wishes to the Prince. Heir to the throne, baby.

[topper09er]

I have way too many happy Prince Fielder memories to ever choose one favorite, but I'll post this one because it turned out to be my favorite game of 2010:

 

 

Down by three going into the bottom of the ninth. The first batter is out, then the rest of the way is Kottaras BB, Joe Inglett HR (!), Rickie gets on, Corey gets on, and Prince hits a low rocket at just the right angle to take a weird carom off the RF wall, allowing Corey just enough time to score. We were so happy that night, despite the overall meaninglessness of that game.

 

For some reason I remember this game too. How crappy would that be today, obviously the play at the plate would be reviewed and all the excitement is gone. Seeing the umpire wave safe and game over is the way watching sports is meant to be.

[djoctagone]

i believe that in order for texas to collect on their insurance policy, fielder needs to remain part of the organization. that may require that he be added back to the 40-man roster each offseason, and then put on the 60-day disabled list during each remaining season of his contract.

 

if this is the case, this handicaps texas' offseason moves.

 

i recall that the orioles kept albert belle on their roster during the offseason in order to collect insurance payments.

[reillymcshane]

I told my son (age 16) about Prince last night. He has grown up with this wave of guys who are now wrapping up their careers - Sheets, Fielder, Hart, Weeks, etc. He said to me he'll never forget the game where the opposing team brought in their lefty specialist to face Prince - then boom. HR. Didn't remember the opponent or the season or whatever, but it was something that stuck with him.

[dlk9s]

I haven't lived in Wisconsin for nearly two decades now, so I don't have any favorite Prince Fielder moments that I witnessed in person, but one that I watched on TV (must have been on MLB Network) is one that pops into my head every now and then.

 

June 15, 2009 at Cleveland. Brewers were down 12-8 going into the 8th and score 6 runs, highlighted by Prince's first career grand slam. It was a laser shot that got out in the blink of an eye. What struck me when it happened was the SOUND of the homer. One of the loudest I've ever heard on TV.

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/6479266/v5063371/milcle-fielders-first-career-slam-has-crew-leading

 

 

There have been a lot of great homerun hitters in the long history of baseball, but out of all of them, I always loved watching Prince hit homers the most. Every one of them was so violent, so much fun. Prince's homers were an artistic snuff film.

[DuWayne Steurer]

I was at the Brewers/Rockies game in early 2011. This was just when things were starting to come together.

 

 

I was at game 1 vs. the D'Backs in the NLDS. My first ever playoff game. It was the 7th inning and the Brewers were up 2-1 with a man on 2nd, and a righty facing Prince. Does Kirk Gibson bring in a lefty? Walk Prince with the open base? Nope! He pitches to him!

 

[burnzy24]

Prince had a really emotional press conference today. Hopefully the Brewers can bring him back in some capacity. He would be a really big draw as a fantasy camp coach.

[reillymcshane]

Prospect Retrospective from John Sickels at minorleagueball.com. Fun read.

 

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2016/8/10/12417302/prospect-retrospective-the-career-of-prince-fielder

[Thundercat32]

They broke into the local sportsradio station, here in Dallas, for Prince's press conference. It was a difficult, yet touching, listen. Not since 2-3 months into his Detroit Tigers days have I heard, or for the most part thought myself, anything other than he's overpaid/under-performed. Even the first 2-3 pages of this thread are mostly about whether he'll collect on the rest of his contract or not. Little to no mention of his heart or character.

 

I have a different perspective than most here. I was born in Milwaukee and always had a soft spot for Milwaukee/Wisconsin sports teams in my heart since I was old enough to remember. They were always my "2nd favorite team". Then, I got fed up with the Rangers in 2010, and I jumped into the Brewers' organization headfirst. I knew of Prince Fielder & co, but I didn't know much about them. I started looking up Youtube videos, I got the MLB package & started listening to Brian Anderson & "Rock", I started posting here. The first thing that jumped out at me is how much fun Prince looked like he was having. The guy was bigger than life!

 

It makes me very sad that a 32 year-old is forced to retire from a game that he loves so much (listen to the press conference, you'll hear it in his voice), and a game that he made so much fun for so many others. The entire Rangers' team was in attendance for his press conference. Prince has been a literal disappointment in virtually every way since coming to Texas, and yet every member of the team was there for him. That speaks volumes. It demonstrates that the little fluff pieces on the MLB network/Fox Sports Wisconsin weren't just for TV; it shows that those interactions with teammates were real. His teammates love him!

 

Most of all, I'm sad for his boys. Prince knows better than most big leaguers how great it is to go to the ballpark with your dad (and he's a real-life major leaguer!), and now that experience is over for them.

 

So, let's squash the contract talk in this thread. Prince Fielder was a true ambassador for the game. He has true heart, and his name is deserving of far better than that from Brew Crew nation.

[jerichoholicninja]

Milwaukee needs to sign him just to sit on the bench and rough up Villar when he does stupid things.

[Thundercat32]

I'd like to see the Brewers sign him too. But, A) The Rangers are going to have him travel with the team for the rest of the year as soon as he's medically cleared to do so. B) He's tight with his Rangers' teammates. Who's still around, outside of Braun, from his time in Milwaukee for him to still have any ties with on the team?

 

I'm more concerned about Prince at this point than the fans. He's taken this pretty hard, as anyone would, and if traveling with the Rangers & staying close to the teammates he feels closest with will make him feel the best, then I'm all for it.

[Cirillos Hot Corner]

I was at the Brewers/Rockies game in early 2011. This was just when things were starting to come together.

 

 

I was at game 1 vs. the D'Backs in the NLDS. My first ever playoff game. It was the 7th inning and the Brewers were up 2-1 with a man on 2nd, and a righty facing Prince. Does Kirk Gibson bring in a lefty? Walk Prince with the open base? Nope! He pitches to him!

 

 

That NLDS video just gave me the biggest chills I've had in a long time...so freaking awesome!

[pacopete4]

Maybe if he didn't hit so many walk offs his neck would still be healthy. Jeeze they beat him up a few times. Great memories

[djoctagone]

I'd like to see the Brewers sign him too.

this thread title is misleading.

 

fielder is not retiring. if he were retiring, he'd forfeit what's guaranteed to him through 2020. he is part of the texas rangers organization, and is being paid by texas (and the amount pledged by detroit when they traded him).

 

fielder has not been designated for assignment, nor has he been released. he remains on the 60-day disabled list, and will until the season ends. at that point, texas can release him or trade him (likely forfeiting any insurance money), or they can add him back to their 40-man roster (which keeps him in the texas organization). come spring training 2017, fielder is a near-guarantee to be put back onto the 60-day disabled list, then back on the 40-man throughout the 2017-2018 offseason. keep repeating this until 2020, when his contract expires.

 

unless the rangers are super desperate for a 40-man roster spot in any of the next four offseasons, i can't see them cutting ties with fielder.

 

so, if you are hopeful that the brewers sign fielder, look for that to happen no earlier than 2021.

[1992casey]

djoctagone is correct, of course. In the technical sense, Fielder isn't retiring. But in layman's terms, it's a retirement, and I'm not overly bugged by the use of the word.

 

My guess is that few players go onto the "voluntary retirement" list anymore. Most likely end up with free agent status one way or another.

[dlk9s]

Man, the more I watch highlights and think about it, the more bummed out I am that Prince is done. Such a fun baseball person.

[Bombers]

Prince had a really emotional press conference today. Hopefully the Brewers can bring him back in some capacity. He would be a really big draw as a fantasy camp coach.

Ya, that was a pretty sad press conference.

http://deadspin.com/prince-fielders-retirement-press-conference-was-sad-as-1785145364

 

Get well Prince! You got two young boys who could follow the Fielder homerun tradition. Time to become a coach. Good luck Prince, you were one of my favorite Brewers of all time to watch.

[Roderick]

i believe that in order for texas to collect on their insurance policy, fielder needs to remain part of the organization. that may require that he be added back to the 40-man roster each offseason, and then put on the 60-day disabled list during each remaining season of his contract.

 

if this is the case, this handicaps texas' offseason moves.

 

i recall that the orioles kept albert belle on their roster during the offseason in order to collect insurance payments.

 

Insurance companies aren't dumb when it comes to finances. If they negotiate with the ballclub to save a percent on what they were obligated to pay on the disability contract, I'm sure they can come to some agreement to release that provision, if it is even in there.