Former Oakland Athletics slugger Khris Davis retires from baseball

May 14, 2024, 8:00 AM

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 13: Khris Davis #2 of the Oakland Athletics salutes the dugout as he rounds the ...

(Getty Images)

Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

“Khrush” Davis is calling it a career.

Khris Davis, an outfielder and designated hitter who played nine MLB seasons from 2013-21, announced his retirement from baseball over the weekend during an interview with USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale.

The 36-year-old spent six of his nine big-league seasons with the Oakland Athletics, where he was the team’s leading home run hitter during that period. Davis posted three consecutive seasons with 40+ home runs and 100+ RBI from 2016-18, securing MVP votes in 2017 (22nd) and 2018 (8th).

Over 637 games with Oakland, Davis hit .240 with 159 home runs, 555 hits, and 423 RBI while acting as a force in the middle of an Athletics lineup that made postseason appearances from 2018-20.

Davis’ 159 home runs are the most by an A’s player since the start of the 2003 season.

More on former Athletics DH Khris Davis

While Davis’ baseball days are over, the former slugger has turned his attention to a new craft: cars.

In his interview with Nightengale, Davis shared his next career move as he turns in his batting gloves and Louisville slugger for a tool box.

“There was no more opportunity for me in baseball,” Davis tells USA TODAY Sports, “so it took a lot of searching of who I was outside baseball. I’m still young. I didn’t want to just sit at home.”

Davis, 36, attended the Arizona Automotive Institute for a year, graduated a few weeks ago and soon will be applying to car dealerships and mom-and-pop shops as a mechanic.

“It was a challenge because I didn’t even know how to change a tire before going to school,” Davis says over lunch. “I loved cars, but didn’t know what to expect. I knew I was going to be behind. I just dedicated myself to it.”

“I’m going to get a job after the summer and family vacations are over. I’ll be an entry-level tech doing tires, oils and lubes, everything. I’d love one day to do tune-ups on street racing cars, customization, restoration, just to be part of a club and go to car shows and just enjoy that scene.”

Khris Davis to USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale – May 12, 2024