Former Cleveland second baseman Jason Kipnis retires from baseball, thanks Cleveland fans

The player affectionately known by Cleveland fans as "Dirtbag" has called it a career.

Former Cleveland second baseman Jason Kipnis announced his retirement via social media Monday afternoon, officially putting a bow on a 10-year major league career. All but one of those seasons were spent in Cleveland, where Kipnis compiled a .261 average, a .750 OPS, 123 home runs, 252 doubles, 23 triples, 545 RBIs and 136 stolen bases. Among Cleveland second basemen, Kipnis is first in home runs, second in doubles and stolen bases and third in RBIs and fWAR (20.5) in franchise history.

Bo Naylor, James Karinchak and more:Guardians spring training 2023: The top 5 storylines to watch this spring camp

With Cleveland, Kipnis was a two-time All-Star (2013, 2015) and a clubhouse leader during the team's rise to the top of the American League Central that included division titles in 2016, 2017 and 2018, along with the run to the World Series in 2016. Kipnis finished 11th in AL MVP voting in 2013 and 16th in 2015.

All the while in Cleveland, he was a fan favorite for his "Dirtbag" style of play and was part of a core of clubhouse leaders that also included Corey Kluber, Michael Brantley and Yan Gomes. And, in many ways, it'd be fair to say Kipnis was the heart and soul of those teams. Perhaps the best example of Kipnis' style of play was his scoring from second base on a wild pitch during Game 7 of the 2016 World Series to cut the Chicago Cubs' lead, setting the stage for Rajai Davis' score-tying home run.

In his retirement announcement post, Kipnis thanked a number of people in his life and around the game, including the Cleveland organization and fans.

"To Cleveland, thank you for being you," Kipnis wrote. "I was lucky to be drafted by you. I always wanted my play to echo the city's attitude every time I took the field. There were ups and downs of my career sure, but one thing I never wanted you to question was how hard I played for the name on the front. I tried to make you proud every game. You guys gave me the chance to live out my dream and I'll never forget someone the amazing moments we shared together.

"To the fans, thank you for making this game and life experience what it is. You guys made me feel larger than life and I am grateful for every interaction, positive or negative, that came along the way. Every moment was made better because of you guys and your passion for the game."

In the end, injuries and father time combined to bring an end to Kipnis' playing days. His last game with Cleveland ended with a broken hamate bone that also ended his 2019 season. Kipnis joined the Cubs in 2020 but played in only 44 games at the major league level. He then spent 2021 in the Atlanta Braves' minor league system, and struggled to find a team during the lockout-shortened 2022 season.

"I'd be lying if I said I wanted to write this. To have to officially acknowledge that my time as a player in the game of baseball is over," Kipnis posted. "I always heard you rarely get to end your career on your own terms. They weren't lying. Breaking my hamate bone on my last swing with Cleveland meant no fun hat tip before leaving. Got to go home and wear the Cubbie Blue and return to [Cleveland] as a visitor, pandemic, empty stadiums, no closure.

"Instead, it ended the way my professional career started, riding buses in the minor leagues. And then the lockout happened, and before I knew it, it was over. My mind and body just aren't up for the commitment anymore. Frustrating at first, but there's one feeling I'm left with that stands out above all … gratitude."

Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Guardians at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/cleveland-guardians. Follow him on Twitter at @ByRyanLewis.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Jason Kipnis announces retirement, was two-time All-Star in Cleveland