WASHINGTON — The son of U.S. Army officers, veteran outfielder Michael A. Taylor was a perpetually stoic presence in the White Sox’ clubhouse this season, just as he was as a World Series champion with the Nationals and as a Gold Glove-winning defender with the Royals.
For just a second Sunday, hints of emotion finally broke through Taylor’s stone-faced visage as he prepared to play the final game of his career in the ballpark where it started and reached its championship apex.
‘‘I don’t want to get emotional, but with it being my last year, I think I couldn’t have asked for a better group,’’ Taylor said after announcing his retirement, effective at the end of the Sox’ 8-0 victory. ‘‘It’s a younger group, but these guys are really just good baseball players and even better guys. And I’ve enjoyed every second of it.’’
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— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) September 28, 2025
Taylor got ovations all weekend long from Nationals fans who might remember him best for the home run he hit in Game 2 in their 2019 World Series victory.
‘‘To be able to play my last games of my career here in this ballpark, in front of these fans, is just the icing on the cake,’’ Taylor said.
He went 1-for-3 with an RBI grounder and a walk in the last game of a 12-year career that also included stints with the Twins and Pirates. He had a .200/.259/.366 slash line with nine homers and 35 RBI in 134 games for the Sox.
Taylor, a native of Lake Forest, decided a few months ago that he would walk away from the game to spend more time with his wife, Brianna, and their two young children. He said he would like to get into coaching down the line, a career move foretold by the veteran wisdom he brought after signing a one-year deal with the rebuilding Sox.
‘‘He just was the quiet, quiet leader,’’ manager Will Venable said. ‘‘He really developed the fabric of our culture here.’’
Taylor earned himself a nice retirement bonus with his four trips to the plate, which triggered a $25,000 contract incentive for reaching 325 plate appearances.
Swiss Army man
Sox reliever Mike Vasil is a man for all seasons, including rainy ones.
The versatile right-hander made his final appearance of 2025 in pouring rain late in the Sox’ 6-5 loss Saturday, wrapping up a rookie campaign that was one of the brightest developments in another slog of a season.
From spot starts to middle relief and high-leverage spots, Vasil cemented his presence on the 2026 staff by going 5-3 with four saves, a 2.30 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 101 innings.
General manager Chris Getz has said the Sox like Vasil out of the bullpen heading into next season. As usual, Vasil said he’ll come to spring training prepared for anything.
‘‘I usually always spend my offseasons preparing as a starter, but regardless of whatever it is next year, I’ll still do that,’’ Vasil said. ‘‘That’s what I know best, and I think it helps me last throughout the year.’’