By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Third baseman Will Middlebrooks' Philadelphia Phillies career never began at the Major League level, but he surely accomplished plenty during the Boston Red Sox' World Series championship-winning run in 2013.
On Thursday, the 30-year-old, six-year veteran announced his retirement, according to the Boston Globe's Pete Abraham, nearly 11 months after fracturing his left fibula when colliding with then-teammate, Andrew Pullin. As it turns out, the collision is Middlebrooks' last play ever in professional baseball.
Through 347 career games, 232 with the Red Sox in 2012-14, the Greenville, Texas, native slashed .228/.272/.391 with 51 doubles, 43 home runs and 155 RBI.
During Middlebrooks' last interview as a Phillie, he said there is "really something special brewing" in the clubhouse. He had logged just four spring at-bats with the Phillies prior to his injury.
So proud of this man! 6 weeks post major surgery to reconstruct his lower leg & ankle and he’s walking on his own! Go, @middlebrooks, Go! #Phillies pic.twitter.com/3367F7Rk3h
— Jenny Dell (@JennyDell_) April 6, 2018
