Josh Harrison picked the perfect day to say goodbye to the game he has loved for nearly all his life. On the 14th anniversary of his MLB debut, the two-time all-star officially announced his retirement, and he did it with a heartfelt message that touched the heartstrings of all fans.

In a post shared on his X account, the 37-year-old started by thanking God. Then he turned to thank people who have been in his corner since day one. He gave a special shout-out to his parents, who juggled full-time jobs while raising three boys in sports, making sacrifices to make their dreams come true. Then he thanked his big brothers, who he says helped mold him into someone brave, confident, and smart.

Of course, he thanked his wife, Brittney. He called her his rock through it all—from all-star games to broken bones—and thanked her for always being there. As for his daughters, he said they made the wins sweeter and even the losses easier to take. And then came thanking baseball itself and the relationships he formed there.

Josh Harrison made sure to thank every MLB teammate he ever played with, saying that each of them left a mark on him. He didn’t leave out his coaches either, saying every one of them helped shape his career over the years. But maybe the most emotional part of his message was when he addressed the game itself. “Thank you for helping shape me, humble me, and give me a platform to grow, not just as a player, but as a man. I’m blessed to have been a 2x All-Star and to play for as long as I did, but I never sought to prove people wrong, only to prove myself right in my beliefs. With that being said, future players don’t get other people’s expectations of you limit you from reaching your full potential. Put in the work and go get what you deserve.”

Well, Harrison’s journey started when he was drafted by the Cubs in the 2008 MLB Draft. But the thing is, he never suited up for them, as he was traded to the Pirates in 2009. Then he made his big league debut two years later. And then over the next eight seasons in Pittsburgh, he became known for his hustle, his infectious energy, and his versatility. One of his most notable seasons was his 2014 season, where he hit .315 and made his first All-Star team. This was the same year he even signed a four-year, $27.3 million extension.

But it hasn’t always been easy for him, with injuries slowing him down over the years. Still, he went on to play for multiple teams like the Tigers, Nationals, A’s, White Sox, and Phillies. He even signed with the Rangers and his hometown Reds. And now, at the end of his 1,208-game career, he has done it all in MLB. From hitting .270, racking up over 1,000 hits, and playing every position except the catcher. He even pitched six times! So it’s been a heck of a ride for him in MLB for sure. While Josh Harrison’s retirement stirred emotions, the Pirates had another big moment on their hands, and it came with a heck lot of frustration.

Controversial MLB call derails big moment for Pirates

So, on Friday night against the San Diego Padres in a season where the losses are more than wins, the Pirates looked like they were on the brink of something good. Bases loaded, two outs, full count, down by one, and Henry Davis thought he had just drawn a walk to tie it all up. The pitch missed low and inside—or at least that’s what everyone thought that it did.

However, home plate umpire Edwin Jimenez didn’t, and he called it strike three. The inning was over and the rally was dead, and the three runners got stranded. Don Kelly, who just came over as the manager after the Pirates parted ways with Derek Shelton, was not having this ruling. He stormed out of the dugout to argue, and he was ejected. Much like how Alex Cora was just recently ejected, trying to stand up for his player.

The call, though, for the Pirates was a turning point. The Pirates lost 3-2 with that eighth-inning strikeout. The broadcast then pointed out that Jimenez was a call-up from the Minor Leagues, and then Andy Fletcher, who is the crew chief, had to step in to calm things down. After the game, Kelly kept it super classy. Kelly said via SportsNet Pittsburgh, “Honestly, the way our guys battled against two of the best relievers in the game… To come back in that situation, get the bases loaded, and Henry grinds out an at-bat… Obviously, I did not agree with the call. It’s just unfortunate.”

No doubt this was a huge gut punch, but then look at the bright side—the Pirates can rest easy knowing that their new manager is not afraid to take a stand for them. What do you think about the entire scenario? Let us know.