How can Ortiz retire...

[msgkings322]

...when he's having this good of a year? Obviously lots of baseball left but if he finished with his current slash line that would be pretty unusual to go out so strong. When was the last time anyone retired having that good of a year?

 

[Fountain City Blues]

I would probably guess the traveling and grind for 200+ days just doesn't tickle his fancy anymore. What left does he have to prove to anyone? Or himself? Outside of the roidhunters of course. Big postseason moments? Check. Rings? Check. HOF numbers? Check. Icon? Check. Certainly not lacking money.

 

[msgkings322]

I would probably guess the traveling and grind for 200+ days just doesn't tickle his fancy anymore. What left does he have to prove to anyone? Or himself? Outside of the roidhunters of course. Big postseason moments? Check. Rings? Check. HOF numbers? Check. Icon? Check. Certainly not lacking money.

Fair enough I just can't think of anyone else who hung them up near the top of their game before (in baseball). In football there have been a couple but that's obviously far more punishing.

 

[calsnowskier]

I would probably guess the traveling and grind for 200+ days just doesn't tickle his fancy anymore. What left does he have to prove to anyone? Or himself? Outside of the roidhunters of course. Big postseason moments? Check. Rings? Check. HOF numbers? Check. Icon? Check. Certainly not lacking money.

What grind? He gets to sit on his ass for 9+ innings every day.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

What grind? He gets to sit on his ass for 9+ innings every day.

Traveling across the country comes to mind. Watching tape, staying in shape, prep work each game, being an extremely visible public figure also as well. Even so, it's not like he can play until he's 50, why not retire on top? He's considered by many (I don't agree) to be the best DH of all time, why not?

 

[calsnowskier]

...when he's having this good of a year? Obviously lots of baseball left but if he finished with his current slash line that would be pretty unusual to go out so strong. When was the last time anyone retired having that good of a year?

Extenuating circumstances, of course, but...

Player 1) 28 HR, .276 BA, 1.045 OPS
Player 2) .312 BA, .835 OPS, 138 OPS+

 

[navamind]

I would probably guess the traveling and grind for 200+ days just doesn't tickle his fancy anymore. What left does he have to prove to anyone? Or himself? Outside of the roidhunters of course. Big postseason moments? Check. Rings? Check. HOF numbers? Check. Icon? Check. Certainly not lacking money.

Yup. I'd rather him go out on top with a strong season.

 

[msgkings322]

Yup. I'd rather him go out on top with a strong season.

OK fine, but again, would Ortiz be the first player ever to do it that way? Honestly asking.

 

[broncosmitty]

I wonder if the commissioners office let him know he'd be retiring. Rather than suspend "a hero"?

He and 13 other guys have the easiest job in sports. Aside from backup QBs. Why would anyone stop cashing those checks?

 

[tducey]

I think he realizes he's in his early 40's and it's good to go out healthy.

 

[redseat]

He had better go out on top. I mean yes it is very hard to walk away if he continues this but I think it is time for him to walk away

 

[Villain]

Extenuating circumstances, of course, but...

Player 1) 28 HR, .276 BA, 1.045 OPS
Player 2) .312 BA, .835 OPS, 138 OPS+

I got both players right on my first try.

Spoiler

And Player 1 didn't want to retire, no one would sign him the following season. He even sued MLB for colluding against him to keep him from playing.

Also, you should use the same stat categories for both players if you're going to put the head to head like that.

 

[williewilliejuan]

He can't outrun the pisstesters forever. Better go out now before he gets caught pissing hot again.

 

[Villain]

He can't outrun the pisstesters forever. Better go out now before he gets caught pissing hot again.

If he's pissing hot then he needs to get checked. Hate to find out that he's passing something along to all his road beef.

 

[Sportsguy9695]

i agree he is having a great year. but there isnt a bettter way to go out other then after a great season like he is having. I would much rather have a player go out on a big year then a disappointing season

 

[Erie Warrior]

Might as well go out on top. Its way better than having the fans pray you hang it up, because you suck so bad. I'm looking at you, Ryan Howard.

 

[redseat]

i agree he is having a great year. but there isnt a bettter way to go out other then after a great season like he is having. I would much rather have a player go out on a big year then a disappointing season

exactly. go out on top with this season

 

[Howie115]

Might as well go out on top. Its way better than having the fans pray you hang it up, because you suck so bad. I'm looking at you, Ryan Howard.

Howard even managed to strike out against Mike Pelfrey last night. 'Nuff said.

 

[HammerDown]

He can play as long as he's taking Mariano juice.

 

[da55bums]

Fair enough I just can't think of anyone else who hung them up near the top of their game before (in baseball). In football there have been a couple but that's obviously far more punishing.

sandy kofax???