Former Brewers second baseman calls it a career

The baseball world officially closed a memorable chapter over the weekend as former Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Kolten Wong announced his retirement from Major League Baseball. The announcement came during a special moment back home in Hawaii, where Wong was inducted into the University of Hawaii’s Circle of Honor on Friday night — a fitting tribute for a player who carried pride for his roots throughout his career.

While Wong’s journey across 11 big-league seasons featured several stops — including St. Louis, Seattle, and Los Angeles — his two-year run with the Milwaukee Brewers left a meaningful impact on a franchise that won a lot of games during his tenure.

Kolten Wong’s retirement reminds Brewers fans of a key stabilizer they once had

When the Brewers signed Wong to a two-year, $18 million deal before the 2021 season, they didn’t just land a two-time Gold Glove winner — they brought in a proven veteran from a division rival who had been a thorn in Milwaukee’s side for nearly a decade with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Wong immediately stabilized a Brewers infield that had lacked consistency at second base. His quick glove, defensive range, and baseball IQ made Milwaukee’s already strong pitching staff even better, allowing them to rely on the steady glove in the middle infield behind them. Wong wasn’t just a glove-first addition either — his bat came alive in Milwaukee in ways it hadn’t before.

In his first season wearing a Brewers uniform, Wong turned in one of the most complete performances of his career. Slashing .272/.335/.447 with 14 home runs and 50 RBIs. He gave Milwaukee a steady presence at the top of the lineup and played a critical role in leading the Brewers to the 2021 NL Central crown.

Though his bat cooled in the postseason, Wong’s leadership and experience were invaluable to a team loaded with young talent and pitching depth.

Wong followed up his strong 2021 campaign with a productive 2022 season. He posted career highs in home runs (15) and stolen bases (17), showing off a more aggressive offensive approach that added some surprising pop to Milwaukee’s lineup. Fans will long remember his three-homer game against the Cincinnati Reds late in the season — a rare feat for any player, especially a second baseman.

Despite Wong’s efforts, the Brewers narrowly missed the postseason in 2022, falling just short in the Wild Card race. In a difficult offseason decision, Milwaukee opted not to pick up Wong’s $10 million option for 2023, instead trading him to the Seattle Mariners in a deal that brought Jesse Winker and Abraham Toro to the Brewers.

While Kolten Wong’s time in Milwaukee lasted just two seasons, his influence shouldn’t be overlooked. He helped stabilize a key position, delivered two of the most productive offensive seasons of his career, and provided veteran leadership to a clubhouse that needed it.

His career ends with 1,189 games played, a .256 batting average, 86 home runs, and two Gold Glove awards. As Kolten Wong steps away from the game, Brewers fans should remember his chapter in Milwaukee as a small but significant piece of the franchise’s ongoing pursuit of sustained success.