World Series winner Jason Heyward retires after 16 seasons

Field Level Media|published: 03/27/2026, 12:52pm EDT

Oct 1, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs Jason Heyward is being honored during a baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Former Chicago Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward announced his retirement on Friday after 16 seasons.

Heyward, 36, helped the Cubs win their historic World Series title in 2016. He also was an All-Star with the Atlanta Braves in 2010 and a five-time Gold Glove winner.

He made his initial retirement announcement on Instagram before speaking to MLB Network.

"I'm glad and happy to be stepping to the other side of the game," Heyward said.

"I look forward to being a potential mentor to any of the young players coming up. Anybody that's in the game right now. I feel like the game's in good hands in that sense, and I look forward to being a fan and seeing what other ways I could give back.

"... Thank you for allowing me to live out my dream."

Heyward was a career .255 hitter with 186 homers and 730 RBIs in 1,824 games with the Braves (2010-14), St. Louis Cardinals (2015), Cubs (2016-22), Los Angeles Dodgers (2023-24), Houston Astros (2024) and San Diego Padres (2025).

The Braves, who drafted Heyward in the first round (14th overall) in 2007, congratulated "J-Hey" on a "wonderful career" with a post on X.

Congratulations on a wonderful career, J-Hey!

And thanks for delivering one of the greatest #OpeningDay moments in Braves history ?? pic.twitter.com/WdVRkN74Mw
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 27, 2026

--Field Level Media