PHILADELPHIA _ Shane Victorino, a Rule 5 draft pick who became the spark plug of a World Series champion, plans to retire next month after signing a one-day contract with the Phillies.
Victorino, 37, last played in 2016 with the Cubs' Triple-A affiliate. He will retire with the Phillies on Aug. 3 as a part of the team's Alumni Weekend, which will include a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the 2008 World Series champions. Earlier that day, Victorino's foundation will hold a benefit at the Diamond Club in Citizens Bank Park.
Victorino played eight seasons with the Phillies before they traded him in July 2012 to the Dodgers, the same team that left Victorino unprotected in December 2004 and allowed the Phillies to select him in the Rule 5 draft.
He had two of the biggest homers of the Phillies' 2008 World Series run: a grand slam off Milwaukee's C.C. Sabathia in the division series and a tying homer in Game 4 of the championship series against the Dodgers, just three batters before Matt Stairs ripped one into the night.
Victorino went on to make his first All-Star team the next season and win a second World Series, with Boston in 2013.
