MLB News: Blankenhorn thanks local fans, announces his retirement
Travis Blakenhorn during his tenure with the Mets (Photo from Travis Blakenhorn's Instagram).
POTTSVILLE — From humble beginnings in Schuylkill County to the bright lights of Major League Baseball, Travis Blankenhorn announced his retirement via Instagram on Wednesday, closing the book on a professional career rooted in the same hometown fields where it began.
Blankenhorn, 29, spent last season with the Rocket City Trash Pandas, the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels in the Southern League, based in Madison, Alabama.
“I’m getting older. I had some back injuries last year,” Blankenhorn said. “I think I could still play a healthy season, but the game is changing a little bit. I have two kids at home. I had a tough time getting a job last year after coming off a season hitting 26 homers, over an .800 OPS, and I had a tough time getting a job. Obviously, my job offer was back in Double-A, and I was going to go to Mexico before that.
“Ultimately, I think it’s time to stay home and be a dad. I didn’t want to travel as much anymore with the kids and be gone for eight months. It was getting harder to get a job, and I didn’t want to go to Mexico and play.”
A 2015 graduate of Pottsville Area High School, Blankenhorn turned heads early in his high school career.
He was selected in the third round of the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft, 80th overall, by the Minnesota Twins. From there, he embarked on the long grind through the minor leagues — hitting left-handed, throwing right-handed, and steadily climbing the Twins’ farm system.
Blankenhorn made his major-league debut on Sept. 15, 2020, with the Twins — fulfilling the childhood dream born on Coal Region infields. He later appeared in the majors with the New York Mets and Washington Nationals, adapting roles as needed and never allowing adversity to define him.
What began in a blue-collar Pennsylvania town became a story of perseverance. His path was not smooth or assured — marked by designations, assignments and the constant pressure of earning every swing. Yet time after time, the hometown kid proved he belonged.
Like many Schuylkill County athletes, Blankenhorn grew up in a sports-driven environment. He played CYO basketball for Mary Queen of Peace, starred in Rotary Little League (now Pottsville Area Little League), and flashed standout athleticism on the football field through middle school and into his early high school years.
In reflecting on his career, Blankenhorn credited his family for their constant support — his parents, Brian and Ann; his brother, Cody; and his wife, Maci. Now a father himself to a daughter, Ivy, and a son, Bo, he said being present in their lives ultimately meant more to him than continuing the chase for another roster spot.
In his announcement, Blankenhorn thanked family, coaches, teammates and the fans who followed his journey — especially those in Schuylkill County, where he first dreamed of the big leagues. He made it clear that while his playing days are over, his gratitude and connection to the game remain.
“It’s so hard to write an Instagram post because there are so many people I’d like to thank,” Blankenhorn said. “Obviously my parents — they were huge. You don’t get to the level I reached without parents willing to drive you all over the county to be seen by scouts, colleges and pro teams. I have to thank them so much for doing that. It took a lot of time, money and sacrifice to take me all over the country for baseball.
“Next, I’d have to thank my wife. I’ve been with her since eighth grade, so she’s been part of this entire journey, and she’s a trooper with me being gone so much. Then we had kids, and I was still gone, so I really appreciate her.
“I also want to thank all my coaches along the way — coach (Mike) Welsh, coach (Dave) Mullaney, coach (Tom) McGeoy, coach (Kevin) Keating and everyone — for instilling a strong work ethic and teaching me the right way to go about things.
“And finally, the city for always having my back. I know we’re from a small area, Schuylkill County, but I’ve always felt like everybody here supported me. It’s nice to know people are paying attention and care about your career. I’m really blessed.”
Blankenhorn also thanked the teammates who made sacrifices along the way — recalling times he’d be holding up the team bus after games while hitting in front of scouts, and how they would stay behind to shag balls and help clean up so he could keep chasing the dream.
