http://goo.gl/269UQC
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett is having the best season of
his career and yet when it is over, he will walk away from the sport and
forgo what would certainly be another lucrative contract as a free agent this
winter.
The 38-year-old Burnett — who has a 2.11 ERA in 18 starts this season and
will pitch in his first All-Star game on Tuesday — spoke with ESPN's "Sunday
Night Baseball" crew and explained why his 17th season will be his last
despite pitching better than he ever has before. Burnett cites his health,
his wife, and his children.
The full quote:
"It's that time. My wife has done a lot of things. She hasn't had a summer to
herself in a long, long time. My boys are at an age now where I started
coaching their basketball team in the winter time and they want me to start
coaching others things too. And like I mentioned, the body tells you. I
believe I could still pitch for a couple more years but I want to be able to
walk away and be active around my kids for couple of years before I start
hobbling."
Burnett will have made $144.3 million in his career, with his biggest payday
coming before the 2009 season when the New York Yankees gave him a huge
five-year, $82.5 million contract. So money is probably no longer an issue.
Still, it is surprising to see a player retire from a sport at their peak. It
is one thing to go out on top as a champion who is past their prime, à la
John Elway. But it is something else to see a player go out just as they are
reaching a potential that has only previously been seen in glimpses.
But at the same time, it is a reminder of just how grueling the sport of
baseball can be, not just on the player, but on the families. It is 162 games
in 180 days, with half of those on the road and that is not counting six
weeks of spring training and any postseason play if the player is lucky and
good enough to get there.
After a while it takes its toll and as Burnett said, it is just time.
BUSINESS INSIDER的报导
今年至今为止缴出生涯最佳2.11防御率，ERA+174，FIP2.77的A.J.Burnett
谈到自己退休的原因
他知道自己要丢一定还可以再丢好几年，但是他想在他走不动之前多花点时间陪孩子
而且，钱已经不是问题了(NYY:.......)
结果，今年第一次进明星赛，也是最后一次了
然后没上......
Bochy SUCKS!!!