John McDonald was a member of the Philadelphia Phillies for a short time. On June 23, 2013, the Phillies acquired McDonald from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for cash considerations. By August 31, before a September feature in the Phillies program was in circulation, McDonald was traded to the Boston Red Sox where he took home a World Series ring. McDonald was best known by Phillies fans for pitching in relief of outfielder Casper Wells, who ran out of gas after a noble effort.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, McDonald's most recent team, announced his retirement today:
Congrats to John McDonald on his retirement from baseball. Job well done to one of the all-time good guys in the game pic.twitter.com/f3AEEypmMy
— Angels (@Angels) January 7, 2015
McDonald's Angels made the playoffs but lost to the Royals in the ALDS.
McDonald was a popular player who spent time with the Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Pittsburgh Pirates, the Indians again before the Phillies, and then the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In 16 seasons and 1032 career games, McDonald appeared at shortstop, second base, third base, left field and pitcher. McDonald batted .233.
The best part of John McDonald's Phillies tenure? The Phillies acquired Nefi Ogando in exchange for him. Ogando has pitched himself into being somewhat of a prospect. While he still may or may not pan out, that is a nice return for a month of McDonald.
