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Yankees' Bruce retires after 14 years in majors

Julio Aguilar / Getty Images Sport / Getty

New York Yankees outfielder/first baseman Jay Bruce has retired after 14 seasons.

"I've decided to make the very difficult decision to retire from baseball," Bruce announced Sunday. "All I ever wanted to be 'when I grew up' was a baseball player, and to say that I got to live out my dream would be the understatement of a lifetime. This sport gave me more than I could've ever asked for."

Bruce's retirement became official after Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. While he was available to play, he didn't get a plate appearance during the Yankees' 4-2 loss.

The team played a tribute video for Bruce on the Yankee Stadium scoreboard in the seventh inning. It featured a message of congratulations from his friend and longtime Cincinnati Reds teammate Joey Votto.

The Reds, Bruce's team for nine seasons, added their own tribute on social media.

The 34-year-old played in 1,650 games while suiting up for the Yankees, Reds, New York Mets, Cleveland Indians, Seattle Mariners, and Philadelphia Phillies. A three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner, he ends his career after posting a .781 OPS with 319 home runs and 951 RBIs.

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