Top Ten Most Heartbreaking Retirements in Sports
The Top Ten
1 Lou Gehrig
Henry Louis Gehrig, nicknamed "the Iron Horse", was an American baseball first baseman who played his entire professional career in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees, from 1923 until 1939. Gehrig was renowned for his prowess as a hitter and for his durability, which earned him his nickname "the Iron Horse." He was an All-Star seven consecutive times, a Triple Crown winner once, an American League Most Valuable Player twice, and a member of six World Series champion teams.
Henry Louis Gehrig, nicknamed "the Iron Horse", was an American baseball first baseman who played his entire professional career in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees, from 1923 until 1939. Gehrig was renowned for his prowess as a hitter and for his durability, which earned him his nickname "the Iron Horse." He was an All-Star seven consecutive times, a Triple Crown winner once, an American League Most Valuable Player twice, and a member of six World Series champion teams.
2 Barry Sanders
Barry Sanders is a former American football running back who spent his entire professional career with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League.
Barry Sanders is a former American football running back who spent his entire professional career with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. Definitely, he was the Lions chance to going far in the 90's Barry was like no other tail back running elusively better than any other running back I have never seen before anybody that runs like he does and he never really had a good O-line either sad he left because eventually the losing ways got to him.
3 Michael Jordan [First Retirement]
Michael Jeffrey Jordan, also known by his initials, MJ, is an American retired professional basketball player.
Michael Jeffrey Jordan, also known by his initials, MJ, is an American retired professional basketball player.
4 Magic Johnson
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association for 13 seasons.
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association for 13 seasons.
5 Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning is a former American football quarterback who played 18 seasons in the National Football League for the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos.
Peyton Williams Manning is a former American football quarterback who played 18 seasons in the National Football League for the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos.
6 Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American former professional baseball shortstop, current businessman and baseball executive who is the chief executive officer and part owner of the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball.
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American former professional baseball shortstop, current businessman and baseball executive who is the chief executive officer and part owner of the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball.
7 Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant (1978 - 2020) was an American retired professional basketball player. He played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. Kobe Bryant has won 5 NBA championships with the Lakers and was the all-time leading scorer in Lakers franchise history. ...read more.
Kobe Bryant (1978 - 2020) was an American retired professional basketball player. He played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. Kobe Bryant has won 5 NBA championships with the Lakers and was the all-time leading scorer in Lakers franchise history. ...read more.
8 Bjorn Borg
He could have been the best tennis player ever if he didn't retirer so early
9 Sandy Kofax
This was came out of nowhere. The first case of arm trouble actually goes back to his career year in 1965. He had a pitching triple crown and named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year. The next year he had another pitching triple crown including 27 wins and his Dodgers another World Series appearance. But when the season ended, his arm was dead and on Friday November 18, 1966 he announced his retirement and his famed statement "The question is why" became part of Baseball and sports lore.
Its Joeysworld
10 David Ortiz
David Américo Ortiz Arias, nicknamed "Big Papi," is a Dominican American former professional baseball designated hitter and occasional first baseman who played 20 Major League Baseball seasons, primarily with the Boston Red Sox, but also with the Minnesota Twins.
David Américo Ortiz Arias, nicknamed "Big Papi," is a Dominican American former professional baseball designated hitter and occasional first baseman who played 20 Major League Baseball seasons, primarily with the Boston Red Sox, but also with the Minnesota Twins.The Contenders
11 Len Bias
Leonard Kevin "Len" Bias was a first-team All-American college basketball forward at the University of Maryland.
Leonard Kevin "Len" Bias was a first-team All-American college basketball forward at the University of Maryland. He never retired because he passed away before he played a professional. Terrible pick on this list.
12 Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal, nicknamed Shaq, is a retired American professional basketball player who is currently an analyst on the television program Inside the NBA. He is known for his fun, friendly personality, and is one of the most beloved athletes of all time.
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal, nicknamed Shaq, is a retired American professional basketball player who is currently an analyst on the television program Inside the NBA. He is known for his fun, friendly personality, and is one of the most beloved athletes of all time.
13 Kevin Garnett
Kevin Maurice Garnett is a former professional basketball player who played for 21 seasons in the National Basketball Association, for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, and Brooklyn Nets.
Kevin Maurice Garnett is a former professional basketball player who played for 21 seasons in the National Basketball Association, for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, and Brooklyn Nets.
14 Reggie Miller
Reginald Wayne Miller is an American retired professional basketball player who played his entire 18-year National Basketball Association career with the Indiana Pacers.
Reginald Wayne Miller is an American retired professional basketball player who played his entire 18-year National Basketball Association career with the Indiana Pacers.
15 Julius Erving
Julius Winfield Erving II, commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is an American retired basketball player who helped popularize a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and playing above the rim.
Julius Winfield Erving II, commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is an American retired basketball player who helped popularize a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and playing above the rim.
16 Charles Barkley
Charles Wade Barkley is an American retired professional basketball player and current analyst on the television program Inside the NBA.
Charles Wade Barkley is an American retired professional basketball player and current analyst on the television program Inside the NBA.
17 Brian Scalabrine
Brian David Scalabrine is an American former professional basketball player who is currently a television analyst for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association.
Brian David Scalabrine is an American former professional basketball player who is currently a television analyst for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association.
18 Larry Bird
Larry Joe Bird is an American retired professional basketball player who played for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association. Bird is a 3x champ, 1x ROTY, 1x Finals MVP, 3x 3PT Contest winner, all with the Boston Celtics. (1979-1992)
Larry Joe Bird is an American retired professional basketball player who played for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association. Bird is a 3x champ, 1x ROTY, 1x Finals MVP, 3x 3PT Contest winner, all with the Boston Celtics. (1979-1992)
19 Tim Duncan
Timothy Theodore "Tim" Duncan is an American professional basketball player who has played his entire career for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association.
Timothy Theodore "Tim" Duncan is an American professional basketball player who has played his entire career for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association.
20 Manu Ginóbili
Emanuel David "Manu" Ginóbili is an Argentine professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association.
Emanuel David "Manu" Ginóbili is an Argentine professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association.
21 Chris Bosh
Christopher Wesson Bosh is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association.
Christopher Wesson Bosh is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association.
22 Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League for four teams from 1979 to 1999.
Wayne Douglas Gretzky CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League for four teams from 1979 to 1999.
23 Ryan Smyth
24 Rocky Marciano
25 Drew Brees
Drew Christopher Brees is an American football quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League.
He is the only player to have back to back to back 5,000 yards in three seasons straight. Brees also has the all time best completion percentage with 66.95%.
Drew Christopher Brees is an American football quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League.
He is the only player to have back to back to back 5,000 yards in three seasons straight. Brees also has the all time best completion percentage with 66.95%.8Load More
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