Eight-year MLB veteran Ryan Goins officially announced his retirement, via his X account. “I was able to do some special things in my 14 years and developed relationships that will last a lifetime….So this is my official goodbye to playing the game, and my hello to the next chapter of my journey as a coach,” Goins wrote. The infielder also paid tribute to his family, teammates, and several of his former teams, particularly the Blue Jays “for taking a chance on me and giving me my first shot.”
Goins was a fourth-round pick for Toronto in the 2009 draft, working his way up the minor league ladder and debuting in the Show in 2013. His first five Major League seasons were spent with the Blue Jays, before then playing with the Royals in 2018 and then with the White Sox in 2019-20. Goins also spent time in the Phillies, A’s, and Braves organizations without getting any big league calls, and he signed a minors deal with Kansas City last winter but didn’t actually take the field for any game action.
Known more for his glove than his bat, Goins hit .228/.278/.333 over 1690 career plate appearances in the majors, usually working as a utility infielder. Goins was a very solid defender at both middle infield positions, and also played some third base and a handful of games at first base and the two corner outfield spots.
More than half (887) of Goins’ career PA came during the 2015 and 2017 seasons, as Goins found himself elevated into more or less everyday duty due to injuries to regular Jays starters. Devon Travis’ recurring shoulder problems meant that Goins got the majority of time at second base for Toronto’s AL East-winning team in 2015, and Goins also found himself logging a lot of work at both second base and shortstop in 2017 when Troy Tulowitzki was on the injured list.
We at MLB Trade Rumors congratulate Goins on a fine career, and we wish him all the best in his coaching work.
Looks like he’s Goins on vacation.
When the goings get tough, the Goins get going…
How long will this be Goins on?
Lmao
His last name was built for this.
Goins made that coin, now he’s going going gone.
New Blue Jays 3rd base coach and infield instructor?
So, he already has an offer for a coaching gig?
Goins, Goins gone!
Much love to Ryan Goins. I really enjoyed his smooth glovework. My favourite memory of Goins was his reaction to Jose Bautista’s famous bat flip HR. Goins scored from 3rd on the homer and as he approached the plate, the camera caught him letting out a huge scream while it seemed like every muscle in his body was flexed and every blood vessel neared bursting. Best of luck, Ryan.
He was an outstanding defender. I wished the Tigers had picked him up when they were developing pitchers. His defense would’ve helped especially over some the iron gloves the Tigers used.
I liked watching Ryan Goins play. Great arm too. Great pop when he connected with the ball.
Will always remember you coming home from 3rd on the most epic bat flip in MLB history
Enjoy retirement Mr Goins
He did get called up as a brave. But saw no action
Kind of useless to do these articles that these has-beens are officially retired. It’s just common knowledge that when a player doesn’t have a full season or is putting up respectable numbers that they’re close to the tail ends of their careers. No one really cares that this guy retired I can assure you. Oh, and incoming trolls on this comment I’d bet. Just giving my opinion but I know a bunch of Yankee haters will be all offended
Articles like this serve as an opportunity to reflect on a players career – be it the utility infielder and being remembered for coming home on a Jose Bautista home run, or should Longo get a HOF call. Just because you don’t care about him doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve an article acknowledging his retirement from the game
He’s insignificant to baseball and most people don’t even know who he is. But I agree with you
Kind of useless to make these comments on these articles about has beens from a never was. It’s just common knowledge that when a guy makes a comment like this, he doesn’t really have anything to say, he just likes to troll and bait because his life sucks. No one really cares about anything you’ve ever said, I can assure you. Oh, and the replys coming from the Yanks clown will surely be entertaining, as he’s clearly a really sharp fella. Just giving my opinion, but I know most Yankee fans I know are actually pretty decent, but you are definitely a giant turd.
Except for the people who have great memories of his career. There may not be a ton but for sure there are people out there who Ryan Goins was their favourite player.
Seeing him pitch back when position players pitching was both rare and they actually tried was perhaps the most exciting thing I ever saw at a game. When he got a double play to get out of the inning is a memory I will always cherish. Doesn’t matter the Jays lost in 19 innings was a great time.
Exactly. Goins was the starting shortstop at the first baseball game I ever watched live: an Auburn Doubledays contest.
For some reason his name stuck in my mind and it was pretty cool to see him be able to contribute to an ALCS participant after having played for my tiny, hometown minor league team
coming from a fan like myself and you, i assure you making the big leagues is the greatest accomplishment as bb player. Regardless big superstar or a small guy utility player. These men are big leaguers. Everyone who makes the majors is great in some way or another.
Everytime you Goins away, you take a piece of we fans with you….
It’s funny how talent is distributed throughout the universe…
Size-wise I am a little taller, tiny bit heavier and a bit more LH and was retired by the game after college and he was blessed playing baseball until he was in his 30’s. Always happy for the guys who make it – always.
Congrats Ryan, may your future in baseball be what you want it to be!
Dodger fan here but I was a big fan of Goins. Great glove and great teammate. And I will 2lsecond that he did have some pop in his swing.
Always remember when he drop ball in 2015 post season we lost the game an the rest went wrong from there
He didn’t drop it, he pulled off it cuz he thought he heard Bautista call him off at the last second but it was actually a Royals fan in the crowd.
Then, “He can fly” happened as Bautista automatically threw to the cutoff towards second, thinking Cain wouldn’t score from first on a single to right field.
Goins then became a Royal a couple years later, a la Duda. Maybe Deacon Moore felt sorry for him too.
Good glove man for the Jays.
All’s well that Goins well.