CINCINNATI -- One of the most popular Reds of the last generation has closed the final chapter of his playing career.
Before the Yankees' game vs. the Rays on Sunday, former Reds right fielder Jay Bruce announced his retirement. Bruce, who was hitting .118 with one home run, informed New York manager Aaron Boone of his plans, which will be effective after the game.
“It was tough,” Bruce told reporters in New York. “I feel like it really hit me probably a week ago, where the thought started leading my mind. I wanted to think about it thoroughly and think it through.”
Bruce, 34, was the 12th overall selection by the Reds in the 2005 Draft and was the organization’s No. 1 prospect when he debuted as a 21-year-old in '08. He went 3-for-3 in his first game and batted .591 with two homers over his first week as a big leaguer.
Over nine seasons with Cincinnati (2008-16), Bruce hit 233 home runs, and he hit 319 homers with a .781 OPS overall in 14 seasons with six clubs. The lefty slugger was a three-time All-Star and became a mainstay right fielder for the club, known for his strong and accurate left arm during its resurgence.
“My man Jay Bruce, it’s over. I played with Jay since he was a rookie in 2008, I played with him in Triple-A. I knew about him when I was in the Minor Leagues, the No. 1 prospect in baseball who became a really well-known household name here in Cincinnati,” Reds first baseman Joey Votto said in a video tribute. “All-Stars, Silver Sluggers, my favorite teammate. We sat beside each other on the plane. He was always sleeping. I loved playing with Jay Bruce. I wish him well on his retirement, going home to his family -- Hannah, his boys. My best to his family. It must be exciting to have him back. What a great career.
“If you enter this league and had the sort of career Jay Bruce had, you did some really special things. He’s going to be missed, whether it’s our banter back and forth, or talking about the league, or talking about hitting, improving, meeting challenges. He could swing. He could play. He could run. He could play. I loved playing with you. I’m happy you had a great career. You made it, man. Congratulations.”
“Jay Bruce has had a huge impact on my baseball career. He's helped me out so much on the field, he's helped me out so much off the field,” said Reds left fielder Jesse Winker, who debuted in 2017 but played with Bruce during many a Spring Training. “It's a celebration of his career here. He spent nine seasons here in Cincinnati. I'm so happy for him. He's going to have his red jacket here very soon, and it's just really, really cool, man.”
It was Bruce’s walk-off homer to center field in the bottom of the ninth against the Astros that clinched the National League Central division title in 2010 and provided the biggest signature moment for the Reds at Great American Ball Park.
“The weirdest part about that is that I was 23 at the time, and I thought stuff like that happened all the time,” Bruce said. “That was just part of it. To know that the single moment that I’m going to remember the most in my career was 10 or 11 years ago now is pretty crazy. Looking back, it makes me appreciate everything else more.”