Now is the time for New York Yankees injury-prone veteran slugger Giancarlo Stanton to call it a career.
During his prime, Stanton was a feared hitter who, in his career as a DH/outfielder, has mashed over 400 home runs. But at age 36, and with an inability to stay healthy, it’s time to walk away.
Time For the Yankees Slugger to Call it Quits?
Stanton Suffers Setback in Injury Rehab
This has been a disappointing and frustrating season for Stanton, who, due to injury has played only 24 games, where in 90 at-bats, he has produced 23 hits, three home runs, scored eight runs while driving in 14 and hitting for a respectable .256 batting average.
Stanton, who came into the season only 47 home runs shy of 500, was actually off to a strong start this season when, back on April 24th during a Yankees 12-4 win at Daikin Park, he suffered a right calf strain running the bases which has kept the big man on the disabled list this entire time.
While rehabbing all summer, intending to return sometime this year, Stanton suffered a frustrating setback in June when the injury suddenly started to get worse.
Since the injury, Stanton has put in the time rehabbing and had Yankee fans feeling encouraged when they learned that the veteran has progressed to running the bases and taking batting practice.
Now in the season’s stretch drive, it seemed like the Yankees were close to getting Stanton back until he suffered a monumental setback when he collapsed running the bases this time due to a calf strain only in his left leg.
“It’s a moderate grade,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “What that means moving forward? We’re not ruling anything out. He’ll obviously continue to work to try and get it right and hopefully he available, but obviously we’re at a point on the calendar where it gets challenging. But you also never know.”
Being so close to returning, this is do doubt a cruel twist of fate for this five-time All-Star.
While it doesn’t look good, Yankee fans can only cross their fingers and hope Stanton, along with fellow injured slugger Aaron Judge can return in time for the playoffs.
It’s been a frustrating time with injuries over the past two years for Stanton. Last season, he played only 77 games due to suffering not only a calf issue but also a severe tendon issue in both elbows, which has to make you believe that now is the time for Stanton to walk away and retire.
Stanton Showed Last Season He Can Still Produce
Last season didn’t start off well for Stanton who didn’t play until June 16th due to suffering from what was termed “epicondylitis” or in other words injuries to both elbows.
Once he returned, it was difficult to judge what to expect from an aging slugger who has missed a large chuck of the season, but he produced at a rapid pace.
Stanton came back to slug 24 home runs while driving in 66 runs and banging out 68 hits while scoring 36 runs in helping the Yankees win a 2025 AL wild card spot.
His biggest moment came on September 20, 2025 when during first inning action at Camden Yards of an eventual 6-1 Yankees win, Stanton mashed a historic three-run home run against Baltimore Orioles pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano which leap-frogged this slugger ahead of Hall of Famers Jeff Bagwell and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and into 41st spot on the MLB’s all-time home run list.
“It’s a nice round number,” Stanton said. “It’s cool to see the names I’m catching and tying and going above.”
At the 2017 MLB winter meetings, the Yankees made a major statement as they completed a stunning multi player deal with the Miami Marlins who traded their MVP Stanton to the Yankees.
Stanton, who was coming off a monster 59 home run, 132 RBI season with the Marlins has had to this point an incredible run with the Yankees which at this point has seen this boarder line hall of famer produce 682 hits, 117 doubles, one triple, 189 home runs, 511 RBI’s and seven stolen bases.
Heading into the season’s final weeks, Yankees fans from all over the globe are holding their collective breath and hoping that Stanton comes back. While a healthy Stanton would be a huge boost to the Yankees offence, the truth is at 36 years of age and battling so many injuries, he should really call it a career as no one can defeat father time.
Yankee Fans Are Displaying Frustration Over Stanton
Throughout his nine years in pin stripes, Stanton, who could be classified as a streaky hitter has been both cheered and booed by the Yankee fans.
Following this latest setback of a Stanton comeback this season being in doubt, some fans didn’t hold back about the situation on social media.
One fan wrote, :Just retire”, while another one added, “HAHA. What a joke.” Another comment which showed the frustration was, “Embarrassing how this dude is made out of paper mache. Been stealing salary for a while now.”
Another fan wrote, “This would be disappointing if I’d actually believed he’d be coming back in the first place.”
After this season, Stanton has one more remaining on the 13-year $325 million extension he signed back in 2014 while a member of the Marlins.
Eventually father time catches up to every athlete and now is the time for Stanton to do the right thing and hang up his cleats and walk away from the game.
Main Image: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
