[外電] Brian Fuentes宣佈退休

[Tukiyomi (月讀)]

http://goo.gl/2eI6o

Merced's Fuentes announces retirement from baseball

MERCED -- As the pennant race began to heat up, Brian Fuentes found his mind
wasn't on baseball.

The reliever, a product of Merced High and Merced College, unexpectedly found
himself in St. Louis after the Oakland A's released him in early July.

Fuentes made six appearances with the Cardinals before requesting a leave
from the team to deal with family issues in Merced. He was placed on the
restricted list and opted not to return in the 2012 season.

The four-time All-Star made his final pitch in an Aug. 8 outing against the
Giants.

Fuentes announced his retirement last weekend, ending a 12-year career.

"Ultimately, I was just having trouble with the time away from my family,"
Fuentes said. "I've been playing baseball for all of their lives, but I'd
never been so far away as when I was in St. Louis.

"I think at one point I went like two months without seeing them. Coming home
and being able to put them to bed at night made me realize what I was
missing."

Fuentes finished the year 2-2 with a 7.20 earned run average and five saves
in 32 appearances between the A's and Cardinals.

While it wasn't the final season Fuentes would have hoped for statistically,
he was pleased to go out on his terms.

"Physically, I felt great," Fuentes said. "My arm was strong. I've kept
myself in good shape and never really had any major injuries over the course
of my career.

"I felt like there was something left in the tank, but ultimately you start
thinking about what you're playing for.

"When you're a kid, you get into it because you love the game. As I was
fortunate enough to have opportunities in college, it got a little more
serious.

"Once I got to the pros, it became very serious. As you climb the ladder and
more money gets involved, it changes. Things like arbitration and contract
negotiations take some of the joy out of it.

"I've had a great career. I never dreamed I'd have had the opportunities or
some of the successes that I've had.

"I'm very grateful for my peers and the friendships that I've made."

The left-hander with an unusual sidearm delivery recorded 204 career saves,
ranking him 41st all time. Fuentes is sixth on the all-time list for saves
from a southpaw.

He finishes with a 26-43 record, a 3.62 ERA and 639 strikeouts.

He pitched in three postseasons, including the 2009 American League
Championship Series with the Los Angeles Angels and the 2007 World Series
with the Colorado Rockies.

He also represented the United States in the inaugural World Baseball Classic.

"That's probably the one memory that sticks out most in my mind," Fuentes
said. "Probably the proudest moment of my career was pitching in the World
Baseball Classic.

"I remember that first game against Canada. To be out on that line wearing
USA on your jersey, surrounded by Hall of Famers, while the national anthem
played. It was a special feeling."

Many around Merced have followed Fuentes' rise from the early days as a Bear
and Blue Devil until his final pitch.

MC head coach Chris Pedretti was among the group that witnessed the
announcement at the Blue Devils' annual golf tournament over the weekend.

"Watching his career has been a lot of fun, not just for myself, but for a
lot of people around Merced," Pedretti said. "Obviously he had some talent,
but there's no way you expect someone coming through our program to have the
kind of success he's enjoyed.

"The same goes for Doug Fister. It couldn't have happened to two nicer guys.
Guys that care about and want to be a part of this community.

"For Tito to 'Come back to his roots,' as he said and make the announcement
at our golf tournament was very touching."

Fuentes said he has no plans for the immediate future other than reconnecting
with his family and enjoying some leisurely time.

He said he'll still be involved in the Merced community, including his usual
cameos at Merced College's winter baseball practices.

"I'm looking forward to a little extra time to go hunting or just not feel
like I'm on a timetable," Fuentes said. "Even now, I'd usually be worried
about throwing and training to get ready for the upcoming year.

"It'll be nice to be able to relax for a while."

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◆ From: 220.134.23.156
推 OoedaoO:不想再炸了??
推 Sechslee:有點意外
推 yeah8466:他投球姿勢超詭異的
推 ssnight:MVP愛將~
推 javasakino: 永遠記得你有滑曲球
→ sumasuma:2K119愛將!!
推 griffey:想當初從小曹手中接下closer...
→ ILOVEWAVE:左手側投牛
推 Tulowitzki2:感謝在洛磯的貢獻
推 KeithTseng:他一上就是走地對方XD....明燈掰
推 goopa:他季中投的還不錯啊
→ goopa:後來是受傷，運動家讓他帶傷撐了幾周最後撐不下去...
→ goopa:另外這邊不是運彩版，要不然講走地就要進水桶囉...
→ goopa:但還是請盡量避免，雖然後來他受傷以後真的每上必炸...
→ goopa:滿好預測的就是了
推 ajburnett:很好