Former NBA superstar Tracy McGrady finally recorded his first strikeout on Wednesday's Atlantic League All-Star Game, but surprisingly announced his retirement from professional baseball after the game.
"It has been a tremendous ride," McGrady said via CBS Houston. "It is my last game today. I informed the team this would be my last outing and I appreciate them giving me this opportunity to start the game and enjoy this great mid-summers classic."
McGrady finally secured the elusive first strikeout of his baseball career on Wednesday when he struck Atlantic League All-Star Bryan Pounds out, which earned loud applause from his teammates, while also being given the luxury of keeping the baseball as a memorabilia.
"That is definitely going in the trophy case," McGrady said. "I told some of the guys that I am going to get a strikeout before I stop playing. I got it in the second inning."
McGrady played a total of 6.2 innings with the Sugar Land Skeeters where he allowed four hits and five runs with a 6.75 ERA in four matches.
McGrady, who played baseball in high school, said that his stint with the Skeeters provided him the opportunity to meet new friends, which helped him move on from his basketball career, which, he said, did not end the way he wanted to.
"This has been an awesome year. Not having my basketball career end the way I wanted but having the opportunity to be friends with some of the guys and get to know them and compete with them, learn from them every day, it's been an honor," McGrady said.
Aside from earning his first strikeout, McGrady also starred in the Atlantic League Home Run Derby when he teamed up with Will Dolan to win the title with six homeruns.
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