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Editor’s Note: This story contains a description of a suicide attempt. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-273-8255.
Drew Robinson may be retiring, but that doesn’t mean his story is ending.
The San Francisco Giants minor leaguer announced Friday that he will retire from baseball following his current team’s streak, which ends Tuesday. Robinson said the Giants gave him an opportunity to transition into a role of mental health advocate for the organization.
Robinson thanked the Giants for giving him a shot a year after losing an eye in a suicide attempt.
Robinson’s full statement:
It’s one of the things in a player’s career and life that no one can prepare you for. How could they? Everyone’s circumstances are so different. Mine included. I am writing to announce my retirement. This series in Sacramento will be the last game played. Over the past year, I have been promoting self-love and self-care, and @sfgiants are giving me the opportunity to transition into a mental health advocate role. I couldn’t be more excited to stay in the game that saved my life. I remember the day after my suicide attempt, the first thought I had to choose to live was to think of playing baseball again. I did it with one eye and am grateful for the time spent with @rivercats and the amazing 11 years I spent with @rangers and @cardinals. For many of them, depended solely on the physical labor setting. Last season was a steep learning curve as I prioritized work mentally and emotionally. Although I take pride in my progress, growth is a continuous journey. To believe that the Giants can help other players manage their emotional well-being more comfortably and to gain insight from my lessons learned is truly a lesson in humility. I can’t fully describe what the past 15 months have been like, but some of the most rewarding moments have been the persistence through the physical and mental challenges I faced on my return attempt. Even more special was the way you all inspired me to continue. I saw your messages. And I enjoyed each of them; it’s a beautiful thing to be able to receive the most positive energy from people.
To all of the front desk staff, coaches, coaches, field staff and teammates who were like a family I had the good fortune to be around with, I hope you enjoyed our time together as much as me. The memories and relationships throughout are things I think about or talk about almost daily. To my family and close friends who have been my biggest fans and my biggest support. And most importantly, in Daiana, my everything. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all.
Prior to his stint with the Giants, Robinson spent 11 years in the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals organizations, reaching the majors with Texas in 2017. He has, however, never seen more than 125 home plate appearances in one. season and was released by the Cardinals in August. 2019, signing a minor league deal with the Giants in October.
Robinson attempted suicide with a handgun on April 16, 2020, he would later tell ESPN’s Jeff Passan. While he survived, the gunshot and subsequent surgeries left him without his right eye or smell and taste.
Despite these obstacles, Robinson still returned to baseball. He made the list for the Triple-A branch of the Giants in Sacramento a year after his suicide attempt and was soon back on home runs. He might have struggled overall at home plate – he was hitting .128 / .240 / .267 for Sacramento on Friday – but handling even a hit after what he’s been through is an inspiration.
Now he can help other players struggling with mental health issues in the future.
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