's last official act as a Major League player was hoisting the World Series trophy for the first time in his career.
And although the 40-year-old is riding off into the sunset as a champion, the Astros' championship was not a factor in his decision to walk away from the game he loves.
The veteran outfielder, who officially announced his retirement Monday in an essay on The Players' Tribune, told MLB.com he reached the verdict to hang up his spikes sometime over the summer, never wavering from that choice during Houston's memorable run.
"At the beginning of this year, being in Houston while my family was in New York, it was the first time I've been away from my family for months," Beltran said in his first interview since announcing his retirement.