Post by seaver41 on Feb 16, 2007 12:26:00 GMT -5
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Forget the two-man race for the Indians' closer's job. Keith Foulke has gracefully bowed out.
Surprisingly, Foulke is announcing his retirement Friday, ending a 10-year big-league career that included stints with the Giants, White Sox, A's and Red Sox.
Foulke's stint with the Indians lasted all of one day. He arrived at Chain of Lakes Park in time for Thursday's report date for pitchers and catchers, but by the early afternoon, had already informed general manager Mark Shapiro and manager Eric Wedge of his decision.
Once a World Series hero for Boston, the 34-year-old Foulke has been plagued by injuries to his right elbow, knee and back the past two seasons. And the discomfort he felt in his elbow upon arriving in Winter Haven, Fla., forced the retirement issue.
"While we are disappointed that Keith will not be pitching for the Indians this year, I have a tremendous amount of respect for him and the way he went about this decision," Shapiro said. "Keith clearly demonstrated a great deal of integrity and character in this matter, and we wish him success in his future endeavors."
Foulke's decision leaves Joe Borowski as the Tribe's only closing candidate. The two had been expected to vie for the ninth-inning duties.
Some had speculated that Foulke, owner of a career record of 41-34 with 190 saves and a 3.30 ERA in 588 games, might have an edge in that battle.
Though he lost his closer's job to Jonathan Papelbon in Boston, Foulke put together a stretch of 11 scoreless outings in September. The Indians were hopeful he could ride that momentum into a bounceback season.
Those plans are officially scrapped.
With Foulke out of the picture, it appears Fernando Cabrera, Jason Davis and Matt Miller will round out the 'pen. Cabrera and Davis are out of Minor League options, so they had the upper hand in the battle for the final two spots. Miller, who reports he's fully healthy after missing the better part of '06 because of elbow surgery, is probably in now, as well.
By retiring, Foulke is walking away from the one-year, $5 million contract he signed with the Indians last month. The deal included performance incentives worth roughly $2 million.
Near the end of the '06 season, Foulke told Boston reporters he was pondering retirement.
"If I can't have fun playing this game, if I don't have the motivation to prepare ... as far as strength and training and all that," he told the Boston Globe, "I'm not going to be a middle bullpen, 5.00 ERA guy. Either I can come back and be a dominant pitcher, or I'll take it to the house."
Surprisingly, Foulke is announcing his retirement Friday, ending a 10-year big-league career that included stints with the Giants, White Sox, A's and Red Sox.
Foulke's stint with the Indians lasted all of one day. He arrived at Chain of Lakes Park in time for Thursday's report date for pitchers and catchers, but by the early afternoon, had already informed general manager Mark Shapiro and manager Eric Wedge of his decision.
Once a World Series hero for Boston, the 34-year-old Foulke has been plagued by injuries to his right elbow, knee and back the past two seasons. And the discomfort he felt in his elbow upon arriving in Winter Haven, Fla., forced the retirement issue.
"While we are disappointed that Keith will not be pitching for the Indians this year, I have a tremendous amount of respect for him and the way he went about this decision," Shapiro said. "Keith clearly demonstrated a great deal of integrity and character in this matter, and we wish him success in his future endeavors."
Foulke's decision leaves Joe Borowski as the Tribe's only closing candidate. The two had been expected to vie for the ninth-inning duties.
Some had speculated that Foulke, owner of a career record of 41-34 with 190 saves and a 3.30 ERA in 588 games, might have an edge in that battle.
Though he lost his closer's job to Jonathan Papelbon in Boston, Foulke put together a stretch of 11 scoreless outings in September. The Indians were hopeful he could ride that momentum into a bounceback season.
Those plans are officially scrapped.
With Foulke out of the picture, it appears Fernando Cabrera, Jason Davis and Matt Miller will round out the 'pen. Cabrera and Davis are out of Minor League options, so they had the upper hand in the battle for the final two spots. Miller, who reports he's fully healthy after missing the better part of '06 because of elbow surgery, is probably in now, as well.
By retiring, Foulke is walking away from the one-year, $5 million contract he signed with the Indians last month. The deal included performance incentives worth roughly $2 million.
Near the end of the '06 season, Foulke told Boston reporters he was pondering retirement.
"If I can't have fun playing this game, if I don't have the motivation to prepare ... as far as strength and training and all that," he told the Boston Globe, "I'm not going to be a middle bullpen, 5.00 ERA guy. Either I can come back and be a dominant pitcher, or I'll take it to the house."
