MLB Rookie Yermin Mercedes Quitting Baseball
Source: Breakout White Sox rookie Yermín Mercedes says he's quitting baseball: 'It's over' (link)
In April, Yermín Mercedes was one of baseball's biggest stories while riding the best hitting start in modern MLB history. On Wednesday, however, he abruptly announced that he's quitting baseball. The Chicago White Sox catcher posted an Instagram message reading "it's over" in large white font against a black background. It was accompanied with a message thanking God and his fans. He also apologized to members of the media for "my immaturity." It's not clear what he was referencing there.
The White Sox released a statement confirming that they're aware of his message, but that they haven't received any official correspondence from Mercedes.
Mercedes made headlines with his scorching-hot MLB debut as he went 8-for-8 to start his season, the most consecutive hits to start an MLB season since 1900, per Elias Sports. The 28-year-old rookie was making his long-awaited major league debut after bouncing around minor leagues since 2011. He'd finally gotten his shot and made the most of it. He finished April hitting .415 with five home runs and 16 RBIs in 22 games, earning AL Rookie of the Month honors.
He made headlines again in May when he drew the ire of manager Tony La Russa, who criticized him for hitting a home run while the White Sox held an 11-run lead over the Minnesota Twins. The incident ignited a debate over the place of unwritten rules in modern baseball.
The White Sox demoted Mercedes to Triple-A Charlotte on July 2 amid a hitting slump. He reportedly posted his Instagram message on Wednesday after being pulled for a pinch hitter in the sixth inning of Charlotte's game.
