Former MVP Justin Morneau retires, joins Twins' front office

The playing days for Justin Morneau - the 2006 American League MVP, a four-time All-Star, and a one-time batting champion - have officially come to an end.

Morneau announced his retirement during a press conference at Target Field in Minnesota on Wednesday, while also providing details on his future in baseball.

The 36-year-old will join the Minnesota Twins in a jack-of-all-trades role in which he will provide hitting advice to both major- and minor-league players while offering support in player development, player acquisition, and the MLB draft.

"You could look at it as a sad day because I'm done playing baseball and it's something I loved, but coming back to the Twins family and being able to sit in on hitters' meetings and draft meetings and pass on the things I've learned is something I'm really excited to do," Morneau told reporters, including MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger. "Something is ending, but something new is about to begin."

Morneau sat out last season and most recently played big-league ball in 2016 for the Chicago White Sox.

The 14-year veteran spent 11 seasons with the Twins, hitting .278/.347/.485 with 221 home runs and 860 RBIs before stints with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Colorado Rockies, and White Sox.

"Justin Morneau is one of the most significant players in the history of our franchise," Twins president Dave St. Peter said. "We're celebrating a glorious baseball career, but also a return for Justin, Krista, and the family to be back into the Twins family."

Before battling concussion issues during the middle of his career, Morneau was one of baseball's most dominant hitters. From 2006-09, the native of New Westminster, British Columbia, collected 118 home runs, 470 RBIs, and never posted an OPS below .834.