Australia's most successful baseball export, David Nilsson, called an end to his distinguished professional career on Thursday.

The 33-year-old's name has been synonymous with the sport in Australia after he became only the third local to play in North America's Major League Baseball.

During his nine years with the Milwaukee Brewers from 1992 to 1999 Nilsson forged a reputation as a slugger and catcher of note with his career culminating in selection in the All Star team in his final season.

It was in 1999 that Nilsson was also named as Australia's second highest earning sportsman behind Greg Norman with his final three-year deal with the Brewers reported to be worth $20 million.

In a career spanning around 1,000 Major League games Nilsson averaged .284, hit 105 home runs and tallied 470 RBIs.

In 2000 he signed a one-year deal with the Chunichi Dragons in Japan that allowed him to represent Australia at the Sydney Olympic Games, where Australia won two games but finished out of the medals.

In a fitting tribute to his contribution in developing the game here, the Australian Baseball Federation also announced a new award would be named in his honour.

Nilsson said he would settle in his home state of Queensland after declining a lucrative offer from the Boston Red Sox to return to the US for the upcoming season.

"It probably became clear to me in January, I realised that from the playing side I wasn't at the right level," he said.

"It was time for me to move on.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP