Retired Outfielder Criticizes AL West Rival’s Clubhouse Culture in Candid Farewell
He didn’t hold back in calling out what went wrong behind the scenes.
Veteran outfielder Kevin Pillar officially announced his retirement from baseball after a brief stint with the Texas Rangers—his final MLB team. While reflecting on his career during an appearance on Foul Territory, Pillar made headlines not for his on-field play, but for his blunt critique of the Rangers’ clubhouse environment.
Pillar contrasted his time in Texas with his previous experience in Atlanta, describing the Braves as a united, team-first group where everyone was fully invested in winning. In contrast, he claimed that the Rangers’ locker room felt disconnected, with players often keeping to themselves and lacking the camaraderie he had come to value. Despite being a seasoned veteran who’s played for ten organizations, Pillar admitted he felt like an outsider in Texas—a surprising admission that may explain some of the team’s chemistry issues and underwhelming performance this season.
His comments have raised eyebrows, especially given the focus on the Angels’ strict phone policy earlier in the year. With both teams near each other in the standings, Pillar’s revelations suggest that Texas’ internal culture may be playing a bigger role in their struggles than many realized.
