Lorenzo Cain hints at retirement after being designated for assignment by Brewers
David Stearns stood in front of a red velvet curtain in the bowels of Great American Ball Park and began rattling off his favorite memories of Lorenzo Cain’s tenure with the Milwaukee Brewers. Unfortunately for Cain – and the Brewers – there won’t be any more on the field in the blue and yellow.
The Brewers designated the center fielder for assignment on the date of him reaching the 10-year mark of major-league service time, an important milestone for reasons both intangible and tangible.
Lo has been an incredible Brewer. He’s had an incredible career. I don’t know if this is the end of his career or not but if it is, he has been remarkable. And I think his contributions to our organization have really been beyond what we could have expected when we signed him.”
This season had been a struggle for Cain, who signed a five-year, $80-million free agent deal with the Brewers before the 2018 season. He hit .179 with a .465 OPS, ultimately being relegated to a role on the bench
“It just got to a point where it’s probably time,” he said. “I haven’t been performing like I would’ve liked but the situation is what it is. I’ve had a great career. I can’t really be upset about anything. But, yeah, it’s time.
“I wish all my teammates the best, coaches, trainers, everybody that I’ve played with or met throughout my entire career, I wish them nothing but the best. It’s been a really fun ride for me for sure.”
The play stood out to Counsell from that season was a display of baserunning wizardry from Cain against the Chicago Cubs in which he directed traffic on the bases to foil the team's rival out of an out.
"To me, it was symbolic, a little bit and a play that, you know, trying to take over, beat the Cubs," Counsell said. "And we beat them with a brilliant baserunning play, which is always the best way to beat somebody.”
“If it happens that I continue to play, good. If not, then same, it’s still good. It’s been fun. I’ve had a blast. I’m definitely gonna miss my teammates, all the guys that I’ve played with in the past. Sucks that it comes to an end but at the same time, it’s been a great run for me.”