Talk about a proper way to end a career.
Following the Athletics' 3-2 victory Wednesday over the Los Angeles Angels at the Oakland Coliseum, an emotional Stephen Vogt spoke from the heart.
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"I'm just so thankful for this opportunity that I was given," a tearful Vogt told NBC Sports California's A's broadcasters Glen Kuiper and Dallas Braden as he was showered in ice.
"I got to thank my teammates -- every single day these guys make me better, they make me a better person, they make me a better player and I hope I did the same for them. I just don't know what to say; I'm speechless."
Back on June 28, 2013, Vogt's first career hit was a home run against St. Louis Cardinals reliever Joe Kelly.
His last hit? A home run off Angels reliever Zack Weiss.
What's more, Vogt's children announced their father's appearance at the plate prior to his first at-bat of the game.
"I'm so thankful that my kids are going to remember daddy playing," Vogt told reporters through tears. "They're going to remember dad doing some pretty cool stuff.
"To have them see this and hopefully remember it, it means everything."
Oakland Athletics
Facing off against Shohei Ohtani, Vogt worked a walk in the bottom of the fifth inning to get things started for the A's. A double by Chad Pinder and then a sacrifice fly from Conner Capel gave Oakland their first lead of the day.
"I couldn't be more proud of those two guys and just the way they performed today and the way they've handled themselves throughout the year in the clubhouse with this team," A's manager Mark Kotsay said of Vogt and impending free agent Pinder's efforts against the Angels ace.
"The true leaders of the culture and really the definition of what I've always talked about what it means to be an Oakland A."
Two innings later, the 37-year-old catcher hammered the aforementioned home run to right field, giving the A's a 2-0 lead, much to the delight of the fans and his family in the stands.
"Walking up, knowing this is your very last play you're ever going to have on a Major League Baseball field, just go have fun," Vogt said postgame of his mindset prior to his home run. "Be ready to hit and hopefully you get something out over the plate to drive and I did.
"Somehow didn't miss it and I just couldn't be more excited and thrilled."
In all, Vogt went 1-for-2 with a home run, a walk, and two runs scored before he was replaced by a player that the A's hope is their catcher of the future: Shea Langeliers.
"Stephen's day, just write the book," Kotsay said. "A homer on the first pitch and exits his career like you want to as a player -- like you couldn't draw it up any better."
For the Angels, Ohtani gave up a hit, a walk, a run, and struck out six batters in his five innings of work. Mike Trout hit a 452-foot home run to straightaway center field in the top of the eighth to make it 3-2, but no other Angels hitter was able to do damage.
Overall, though it wasn't the season the A's expected -- going 60-102 in 2022 -- Vogt's impact on the A's and the community was evident and it showed just how much he will be missed now that his playing days officially have ended.
"I can't say thank you enough, I can't feel honored enough because it's why I've played this game, it's why I do what I do, I work and try to help everyone around me get better," Vogt said. "I felt very, very honored today."
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While no one knows what the future holds for Vogt, it's clear that his last day as a professional baseball player was one to remember and is perhaps the best way he could have asked to end his career.