A Storied Career Comes to a Close as Long-Time Team USA Member Monica Abbott Announces Retirement

OKLAHOMA CITY – A legendary career for two-time Olympic medalist and Team USA veteran, Monica Abbott, has officially come to close as the lefty-flame thrower publicly announced her retirement today via social media. Abbott’s retirement from Team USA comes a few short months after announcing the conclusion of her professional softball career with the Toyota Red Terriers in Japan.

“The day has come for me to step away from the circle and from throwing 70+ mph rise balls,” Abbott wrote in an Instagram post. “For 20 years I have lived the dream, playing softball at the highest levels and representing my country. But the day has come where I know that I can do more for the game I love off the field than on. It’s been the most incredible journey.

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Abbott’s career with the Red, White and Blue spans 13 years (2002-2010, 2018-present), beginning with her debut on the Junior Women’s National Team in 2002 before competing with the Women’s National Team from 2005-2010. After focusing on a professional career in Japan, the lefty pitcher returned to Team USA in 2018 with the sport of softball on the brink of its return to the Olympic stage. 

The Team USA standout helped the Eagles to two Olympic silver medals (2008, 2020), two Pan American Games gold medals (2007, 2019) and four World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) World Championship gold medals (2006, 2010, 2018, 2022), including a monumental gold medal finish at the 2022 World Games where she capped her U.S. career with a 3-2 victory over Japan in a closely fought Olympic rematch.

A two-time U.S. Olympian, Abbott boasts a 6-0 record on the Olympic stage with 63 combined strikeouts – starring as a rookie at the 2008 Beijing Olympics before returning as a veteran for Team USA at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where the sport of softball was welcomed back to the Olympic program after a 13-year hiatus. Abbott dominated in her return to the Olympic pitching circle, posting a complete-game shutout over Canada in opening round before going the distance against Australia to advance the U.S. to its fifth-straight gold medal game.

At the age of 37, Abbott has been a part of several USA Softball rosters – transitioning from a rookie to now a decorated veteran as her historic career comes to an end. She has touched the lives of many former and current teammates, coaches and fans throughout her storied playing career and will forever be a special member of the Red, White and Blue.

“It was my greatest honor and joy to step on the mound and pitch for you all, and to represent you as a female athlete,” said Abbott. “Today, I say goodbye from the circle with a heart full of gratitude.”