Lorenzo Cain

Lorenzo Lamar Cain, born on April 13, 1986, in Valdosta, Georgia, embarked on an unconventional path to professional baseball. Unlike many peers, Cain did not begin playing baseball until his sophomore year of high school, taking up the sport after not making the school’s basketball team. Despite this late start, his raw talent was evident, leading to his selection by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 17th round of the 2004 MLB draft out of Tallahassee Community College in Florida. He spent several years honing his skills in the minor leagues, earning accolades such as being named a South Atlantic League mid and post-season All-Star in 2006, and an Arizona League Most Valuable Player and Rookie All-Star in 2005. Cain made his Major League Baseball debut with the Brewers in July 2010.

In December 2010, Cain was traded to the Kansas City Royals, a move that would define a significant portion of his career. During his tenure with the Royals from 2011 to 2017, Cain became a prominent figure in the team’s success. In 2014, he posted a .301 batting average and 28 stolen bases, both ranking eighth in the American League. His defensive prowess became a hallmark of his play, particularly during the 2014 postseason, where his spectacular catches were instrumental in the Royals’ deep playoff run. He earned the 2014 American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award for his combined offensive and defensive efforts. Cain was named an MLB All-Star in 2015, a season that culminated in a World Series championship with the Royals, where he achieved career highs in batting average (.307), home runs (16), runs scored (101), and RBIs (72).

Cain returned to the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018, signing a five-year, $80 million contract. He continued to perform at a high level, earning another All-Star selection in 2018 and finishing seventh in NL MVP voting. In 2019, despite battling injuries, he secured his first Gold Glove Award for his exceptional fielding percentage (.994) as a center fielder. After playing a limited role in the 2020 season due to opting out during the COVID-19 pandemic, and struggling with injuries in 2021 and 2022, Cain was released by the Brewers in June 2022. He officially retired in March 2023, signing a one-day contract to retire as a Kansas City Royal.