Prince Fielder to retire following second neck surgery

This was Fielder’s second neck surgery, after he underwent a neck fusion surgery back in 2014. He might say that he is retiring, or he might say that his health is forcing him out of the game. Fielder, 32, is a career.283 hitter.

And was there a more enjoyable sight than seeing the 275-pound man beat out infield singles and bunts? Drew Dossett on July 29. Texas won at Colorado 7-5 on Tuesday. Fielder and Adrian Beltre controlled the clubhouse so Jeff Banister didn’t have to do it.

Coincidentally, Fielder will finish his career with 319 home runs.

The home run total matches that of his father. The Detroit Tigers then suddenly needed a slugger, after Victor Martinez was injured in the off season, and signed Fielder for nine years and $214 million. As it stands, I don’t think his career numbers are quite enough to get him into the Hall. He had a cervical fusion to fix a herniated disk.

But in November 2013, after only two seasons in Detroit, the Tigers traded Fielder to the Rangers.

Fielder’s contract pays him an annual salary of $24 million through 2020. The contract included an insurance policy, Daniels said last month. An after-effect of the surgery includes loss of flexibility, which likely went into Fielder’s decision to stop playing.

Fielder, now with the Texas Rangers, required a cervical fusion to fix a herniated disk.

For now, Mitch Moreland has been spending the most time covering first base while newcomer Carlos Beltran has managed designated hitting duties.

The Rangers transferred Fielder from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list on August 1.

Fielder recently chastised one of his sons because he could smell the youngster had forgotten to use his deodorant.

Fielder had 23 home runs in the ninth inning or later, including four walk-off bombs.

The Rangers have an MLB-best 35 come-from-behind wins.