Mon May 19 17:40:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten news article:

**Summary:**

Veteran MLB infielder Kolten Wong announced his retirement after 11 seasons. The 34-year-old, drafted by the Cardinals in 2011, cited family reasons and the changing nature of the game as factors in his decision. Wong had a solid career, highlighted by Gold Glove awards with the Cardinals, and postseason success. He also played for the Brewers, Mariners, and Dodgers. Although his performance dipped later in his career, Wong leaves the game with a respectable resume and over $50M in earnings.

**News Article:**

**Kolten Wong Announces Retirement After 11 MLB Seasons**

**Honolulu, HI (May 18, 2025)** – Veteran infielder Kolten Wong has announced his retirement from Major League Baseball. The 34-year-old made the announcement earlier today at his alma mater, the University of Hawaii, where he was in town to throw out the first pitch at a game.

“Pretty much right now, I’m done,” Wong stated, citing a combination of family priorities and his perspective on the current state of the game. “I’m a dad now… I’m trying to be the best big league dad that I can be. So I’m going to stick to that.”

Drafted 22nd overall by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011, Wong spent 11 seasons in the majors. He earned two Gold Glove awards for his stellar defense at second base, and enjoyed a breakout offensive season in 2017. A key contributor to the Cardinals’ postseason runs, Wong was known for his timely hitting and aggressive baserunning.

Following his tenure in St. Louis, Wong played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, and Los Angeles Dodgers. He faced challenges in recent years, but concluded his career with a .256 batting average, 973 hits, and over $50 million in career earnings. MLB Trade Rumors has reported his career earnings at $52 million and 23 WAR.

While his time with the Mariners was cut short, Wong found renewed success with the Dodgers. Despite a few seasons with struggling batting averages, baseball fans and sports analysts alike have expressed support for his decision to retire. He is reportedly looking forward to his new role as a full-time father.

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