For 17 dramatic minutes, the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago Cubs faced a rain delay after the ninth inning of Game 7 in the World Series. The pause in action set the stage for Ben Zobrist's go-ahead hit in the tenth inning, which ultimately earned him the World Series MVP. Yet, it was Jason Heyward’s legendary rain delay speech that played a pivotal role in rallying the Cubs to victory.
Heyward, a key figure in that moment, announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on Friday, closing the curtain on a 16-season career.
Heyward first burst onto the MLB scene in 2010 with the Atlanta Braves, finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting and earning his sole All-Star nod. After five seasons with Atlanta, he moved to the Cardinals, where he delivered a standout 2015 season, hitting .293 with 13 home runs and 60 RBIs.
This performance led to an eight-year, $184 million contract with the Cubs-still the largest in the team’s history. While his tenure in Chicago didn’t consistently match the high expectations, he did capture two Gold Gloves (2016 and 2017) and posted his best season in 2019 with 21 home runs and 62 RBIs.
Heyward’s contribution to the Cubs’ World Series win went beyond his stats. Though he struggled at the plate against Cleveland, going 3-for-20, his defense and leadership were invaluable. His speech during the rain delay is often credited with galvanizing the team to their historic victory.
After leaving the Cubs post-2022, Heyward had a resurgence with the Dodgers in 2023. However, his journey took him to the Astros after being designated for assignment in 2024, and he concluded his career with a brief stint at the Padres.
Heyward retires with a career .255/.336/.408 slash line and an OPS+ of 101, signifying a slightly above-average performance over his career. His retirement follows closely behind former Cleveland catcher Roberto Pérez, marking the end of an era for players from that unforgettable World Series. Meanwhile, José Ramírez remains the sole player still with his original team from that series, underscoring his enduring presence in the league.