Tyler Wade is calling it a career.
The former Angels utilityman announced Monday on his Twitter/X account that he is retiring from Major League Baseball, bringing an end to a nine-year run that took him through four organizations. Wade, 31, said the decision comes after 13 years of chasing the big-league dream.
"For as long as I can remember, all I ever wanted was to play in the Major Leagues," Wade wrote. "Now, 13 years later and after 9 years in the big leagues, it's time to move on."
Wade’s stint in Anaheim was brief, but it left a mark. He spent one season with the Angels in 2022, appearing in 67 games for a club that finished 73-89.
He hit .218 before being traded to the New York Yankees in July of that year. Even in a short stay, he became a Joe Maddon favorite because he could bunt, run, and cover multiple spots on the field.
That versatility carried him through a career that included 507 games with the Angels, Yankees from 2017-21, Oakland A’s in 2023 and the San Diego Padres from 2024-25. He finishes with a .216/.294/.284 slash line and 51 stolen bases in 67 attempts.
Wade was never the loudest name in the lineup, but he spent plenty of time around stars. In Anaheim, that meant Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout.
In New York, it was Aaron Judge. In San Diego, he backed up Manny Machado at third base and Fernando Tatis Jr. in right field.
His best statistical season came with the Yankees in 2021, when he set career highs in games played (103), batting average (.268), on-base percentage (.354) and steals (17). He also never hit more than three home runs in any major league season, which fit the profile of a classic role player who carved out a long stay anyway.
Wade was acquired by the Angels from the Yankees after being designated for assignment following that 2021 season, and he made sure to include Anaheim in his farewell. In the same post, he thanked every stop along the way.
"I've been incredibly blessed to be a part of some amazing teams and, even more importantly, to be surrounded by incredible teammates," he wrote. "I want to thank the Yankees for taking a chance on an 18-year-old kid and giving me the opportunity to live out my dream of playing for the best franchise in all of sports.
To everyone in the Padres organization, the fans, thank you. I loved every minute of my two years wearing the brown and gold.
"Anaheim and Oakland, you were also a huge part of my journey, and I'm grateful for every experience along the way."
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