SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Following a 15-year career, former Slippery Rock University great Matt Adams has announced his decision to retire from professional baseball.
 
Adams will sign a ceremonial one-day contract Wednesday to retire as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals, the organization which drafted him with 699th pick in the 23rd round of the 2009 MLB draft.
 
"After 15 incredible years of playing professional baseball, it is with tremendous gratitude and emotion that I share my decision to transition to the next chapter of my career," said Adams in his retirement announcement. "While my body is still healthy, my drive is as strong as ever, and my heart still belongs to the game, the time has come to step beyond playing."  
 

A different kind of Sunday post… pic.twitter.com/GZiLbmTbQk

— Matt Adams (@BigCityForReal) September 16, 2024

 
Adams starred at Slippery Rock from 2007-09, appearing in 137 games and batting .454 with 133 runs scored, 27 home runs and 148 RBI. Adams, who led The Rock to a record of 96-55 during his tenure, is SRU's all-time leader in batting average, slugging percentage (.746) and on-base percentage (525).
 
In his collegiate career, Adams was a three-time first team All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference selection, the 2007 PSAC-West Rookie of the Year, the 2009 PSAC-West Player of the Year and a three-time All-America selection. Adams had his jersey retired at The Rock in 2015.
 
Following his standout collegiate career and being drafted by the Cardinals, the Philipsburg, Pennsylvania native needed just parts of three seasons in the St. Louis' minor league system before being called up to the major league roster in 2012.
 
Adams went on to spend 10 seasons in Major League Baseball as a first baseman and left fielder with the Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, Washington Nationals and Colorado Rockies. He played in 856 major league games, slashing .258/.306/.463 and totaling 624 hits, 130 doubles, 118 home runs and 399 RBI.
 
While his playing days are now behind him, Adams expressed excitement in his retirement statement to stay connected to the game as a coach.
 
"I've been incredibly blessed to be a part of winning teams and strong cultures, and I'm far from finished with the pursuit of success," Adams said. "I look forward to the chance to keep competing and winning, this time from a different vantage point."
 

 
Included among the numerous highlights of Adams' career is helping the Cardinals win the National League pennant in 2013, hitting what turned out to be the game-deciding home run in game four of the 2014 NL Division Series off Clayton Kershaw as well as winning a World Series with the Nationals in 2019.

Most recently, Adams hit 12 home runs and drove in 53 runs over 62 games for the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League in 2024.
 
"This Wednesday, September 18th, I'll be back at Busch Stadium where it all started, the place that made me "Big City"," said Adams. "Surrounded by family, friends and the organization that believed in me – the big kid from Slippery Rock, an underdog from Philipsburg, PA – I have the honor of retiring a St. Louis Cardinal."
 
 
 
 
 

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