Jason Kipnis

Jason Kipnis, an accomplished professional baseball second baseman, is known for his significant contributions to Major League Baseball (MLB) during his tenure with the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago Cubs. He made his MLB debut on July 22, 2011, for the Cleveland Indians, marking the start of a successful career that spanned almost a decade, with his last MLB appearance on September 27, 2020, for the Chicago Cubs. Prior to his professional career, Kipnis had a successful stint in college baseball at Arizona State University, where he was an All-American and the 2009 Pacific-10 Conference Player of the Year.

Throughout his professional career, Kipnis consistently demonstrated his exceptional skills and baseball intelligence, leading him to receive numerous accolades. He was a 2× All-Star in 2013 and 2015 and was named the Indians' Minor League Player of the Year in 2010. Additionally, Kipnis was recognized by Baseball America as a Minor League All-Star in the same year. His striking performance earned him the American League Player of the Month for June 2013. Adding to his list of achievements, Kipnis broke the Indians team record for the most hits in a single month with 51 hits in May 2015. He also hit a walk-off grand slam for his 1,000th career hit on September 19, 2018.

Kipnis announced his retirement from professional baseball on February 20, 2023, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in MLB. His retirement did not diminish his connection with the sport, as evidenced by his appearance as an honorary player in a Savannah Bananas game at Progressive Field on August 10, 2024. During this game, Kipnis received a standing ovation and hit a single, highlighting his continued love for baseball and the respect he commands from his fans.