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Brian McCann announced his retirement from the Braves after a disappointing Game 5 loss Wednesday. Associated Press photo
Marietta, Ga. – He broke in the majors as a rookie with Atlanta in 2005, making a splash with the "Baby Braves" by homering off Roger Clemens in Game 2 of the NLDS during his inaugural campaign.
Now, Brian McCann has come full circle. His 14-year career in the majors – which featured seven All-Star appearances and a 2017 World Series title with the Astros – has came to an end.
The 35-year-old informed media members following Game 5's loss that his decision to bid baseball goodbye came about six weeks ago. McCann shared a sentimental moment with Braves manager Brian Snitker after coming back in the dugout following the top of the ninth.
"He knew," McCann stated. "I've known Snit for a long, long time. He was my Double-A manager and I've had a chance to do this with him."
However, he insisted he will not be a stranger to the franchise.
"This is everything I wanted to do. Come back and pitch in on the postseason," McCann said. "But this is it for me. I'm going to go home, be a dad and play with the kids.
"It's time to go. All these years of catching. It's sad, but it's time. I'm glad I got to put on this uniform again."
In his final game, McCann went 1-for-3, which included a leadoff single in the bottom of the fifth.
"This organization is set up for a long, long time," McCann said. "There's so much talent in this clubhouse. It's one of the big reasons I wanted to come back; I wanted to be a part of this."
McCann spent 10 of his 15 years in the majors with Atlanta. He finishes with a career average of .262, 282 home runs and 1,018 RBIs.
His postseason mark was much less remarkable – a .172 average in 39 games – but he did hit four postseason home runs, including one in the World Series with Houston.
An Atlanta stalwart – he went to Duluth High School in nearby Gwinnett County – the Braves selected McCann in the second round of the 2002 MLB draft. He debuted in the majors on June 10, 2005.
"I hate to see the way it ended, but it's on the rise," McCann added about the Braves' future. "I'll be back a lot. I've got a 7 and a 6-year-old that love baseball, so I'll be at the yard."