retirement Archives - Jane Heller

First Tex, Now A-Rod

August 7, 2016

Well, this caught me by surprise when I woke up today. I heard there was a press conference called for 11am and sat glued to the TV while A-Rod announced his retirement/release, his new status with the team, his “reporting to Hal,” and his freedom to do whatever he wants after his last game as a player on Friday.

Since Alex has been such a polarizing figure throughout his career, it’s not surprising that today’s announcement has generated such intense discussion on Twitter and Facebook. Some are in the “Good riddance” camp. Others are in the “Oh no” camp. I’m somewhere in the middle.

While I have found his actions to be genuinely despicable over the years, both on and off the field, I can’t seem to summon up the hatred and scorn that many are heaping on him. Maybe it’s because he’s a Yankee and contributed to the team. Maybe it’s because I try to figure out flawed characters rather than condemn them. Maybe it’s because he’s an athlete, not a presidential candidate. Or maybe – just maybe – when he was at his non-cheating best, it’s because he was so gifted.

With today’s announcement, the Yankees not only paid him well and insured that he gets every insane penny owed him, but they managed to release him “with dignity,” free up a roster spot and continue their efforts to rebuild with younger players. A win-win for all concerned.

Now if Cashman would retire, I’d really be happy.

“I’m Not Emotionally Stunted”

February 19, 2014

Thanks to MLB.com’s live feed, I watched Jeter do the thing he’s least interested in doing: talking to the media. But he carried off today’s “retirement press conference” with aplomb. He was snarky-funny when he viewed the questions as silly. He was thoughtful when reflecting on being a Yankee. He was the consummate teammate when he suggested that instead of hanging around listening to him, the players who were there should go back out on the field to do their work. He was vintage Jeter when asked about his greatest moments: “Winning,” he said.

If it’s possible to enjoy listening to an iconic Yankee discuss why this season will be his last, Jeter made today enjoyable. He reiterated that retirement isn’t until after the season, so there’s no sense in analyzing his legacy or whether he’ll become an instructor at future spring trainings or where he stands in relation to past Yankee legends. He just wants to play. Period.

As for how he’s managed to hold in his emotions during his career and during the press conference, he quipped that it’s not because he’s emotionally stunted – “I have emotions, I just don’t show them” – but because it’s been the only way to sustain his long career in New York with its attendant ups and downs, triumphs and failures. He made so much sense and I loved him all over again.

"I'm Not Emotionally Stunted"

February 19, 2014

Well, Now I’m Gobsmacked

February 12, 2014

I was away from the computer for what seemed like two seconds, when all hell broke loose on social media. Jeter announced he’s retiring after this season – on his Facebook page, no less – so we’re headed for another round of tears, memories and farewells. I’m happy for him that he’s come to a decision about his future and he sounds at peace with it. It’s just the end of the era – the true end – and I’m not a big fan of endings.

Oh, Captain. I do want him to settle down and start a family and focus on his philanthropic and entrepreneurial projects. I also want him to stay in the sport in some capacity. But mostly I’m trying to imagine Yankeeland without him. And it’s haaaard.

Well, Now I'm Gobsmacked

February 12, 2014

Oh, Mo. I Understand. But Still.

March 9, 2013

Mo with family — Photo: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images via WSJ.com

The above photo was taken a few years ago and it’s missing a son, but it appealed to me because it shows Mo walking off the field with his family, which is what he officially said he’ll be doing after the season.

His press conference this morning was bittersweet. It was great to see the Yankees brass and team turn out for the event, just as he’s turned out for plenty of press conferences for others over the years.

He was as classy as ever. So respectful of the franchise and his teammates. So humble. And so honest – he said he just didn’t have the gas in the tank to keep traveling and continue the daily grind and would rather stay home with his family. I found it interesting that when asked about staying in the sport in some capacity, he said he wasn’t interested in the big leagues but rather in the “rookies.” What a great mentor/coach he’ll be for the kids in the minors.

When it was mentioned that others have retired only to un-retire (yes, Andy, he was talking about you), he ruled that out. This is a man who knows himself and who has purposes in life other than baseball. It’s what makes him such a compelling person and player. There will never be anyone like him – on the field or off. Not even close.

You’ve Come A Long Way, Baby

March 7, 2013

Mo was pretty cute all those years ago when nobody had any idea he would become The Best Closer Ever. And now, at 7am Pacific Time on Saturday, he’ll say Adios at the end of this season. I’m sure there will be endless replays, but I’ll be getting up early to watch this press conference and I’ll have my Kleenex handy.

Sure, we all knew he’d call it a career this time, but it’ll still be tough to hear him say the words. I just hope it’s a great last season for him. I can’t really imagine how I’ll feel when he comes in to pitch that final game at the Stadium. As everyone knows, he’s my favorite player so I’ll probably be traumatized. But for now, I’m going to enjoy every glimpse of him.

You've Come A Long Way, Baby

March 7, 2013

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

February 20, 2012

I just read this on Lohud and let out a wail in my empty house.

Mariano Rivera has made up his mind about next season. He said it was “two or three weeks” ago that he decided whether or not to retire, but he’s not ready to make that decision public.

“I know,” Rivera said. “I know now. Definitely. I won’t let you know now, but I know.”

Rivera tried to be cryptic about his decision, but everything he said heavily suggested that he’s decided to retire. A few of his comments:

• “It doesn’t depend on how I’m going to pitch. Always I want to do my job, but I’ve made my decision already.”

• “Even if I save 90 games. Even if they want to pay as much money as they want to, any team, (it won’t change the decision).”

• “Decisions like that are always hard. Always. They involve what you do and what you have done for 22 years. Decisions like that are always hard, difficult, but at the same time, they have to be made.”

• “I know what I want to do after this. There’s a lot of things I want to do after baseball. I always tell you guys that. It’s something that everybody goes through.”

• “If I wanted to become a manager I would continue playing until I can’t no more because you have to do the same thing, traveling and traveling.”

• “This one is different. This is it. This one is my decision.”

I knew this was coming. And I do understand why Mo would want to hang it up after this season. But as I’ve said many times, I can’t imagine my Yankee-fan life without him in it.

I also know I’ll savor every appearance he makes this season, all too keenly aware that it could be his last.

Hip Hip Farewell

January 24, 2012

Well, we knew after the last game of the 2011 season that Jorge would be emotional…

http://youtu.be/ix5zBkfPSqc

And while he got through the beginning of his press conference at Yankee Stadium today without choking up, he did shed a tear (as did I) when he spoke about his parents.

A few random thoughts as I watched the proceedings:

I’ll miss Jorge a lot, obviously. He’ll always be a True Yankee. Even Jason Varitek said so. (Check out boston.com. I don’t have the link handy.)
Mrs. Munson was the essence of grace and dignity, and I loved her speech.
I was glad the Steinbrenners showed up.
Jeter looked like he’d been hit by a truck; I thought he’d cry for sure.
Mo was dapper in one of those Italian suits he wears in the magazine ads.
Where was Andy?
I couldn’t believe one of the writers asked if Jorge would be making a comeback. LOL.
They really should have done the presser with subtitles for those of us who don’t speak/understand Spanish.
There’s no way not to cry during the retirement announcement of a great Yankee. No way at all.

Another Yankee Goes Off Into The Sunset

January 8, 2012

With the unofficial announcement yesterday that Jorge is hanging it up rather than trying to play for another team this season, I felt a pang in my gut. Not because JoPo’s retirement is a surprise; we all knew he’d go out in a Yankee uniform, especially after the dismal year he had. But because his leaving the scene is yet another goodbye we have to deal with. No more Core Three now. We’re down to Core Two.

And not for long, I believe.

Mo is recovering nicely from his throat surgery, apparently, and says he’ll tell the media at spring training whether this season will be his last. My guess is he’ll join the others in retirement.

I have a feeling he’ll want to avoid the Posada Fiasco (and the Bernie confusion) and choose to leave the game on a high note. What’s more, I think the situation with his polyps (thank God they were benign) and his recovery may have given him pause about the grind of another 162+ games. Does he need to keep pitching? No. His HOF credentials are established. His records are unassailable. He has all the money and steakhouses he needs. It’s time to move on.

Of course, just typing those words about my favorite Yankee makes my heart sink. But I know it’s coming. I should start buying Kleenex by the case.

On a happier note, pitchers and catchers are just around the corner.

About Andy, Of Course

February 3, 2011

He’s usually pictured wearing that glare/stare/face-behind-the-glove. I wanted to show him laughing – something he did with his teammates often when he wasn’t focused on winning a game. Yes, we all knew this day was coming. We were told to expect it, prepare for it, move on without our Andy. But when the official word came down today that he was, indeed, retiring, I was more emotional about it than I thought I’d be. And then when I read all the quotes from the Yankees, I got really weepy.

I can only imagine the waterworks that will go on here tomorrow when I watch his press conference. It’ll be on at 7:30 a.m. Pacific Time, and I’ll try to weep silently so I don’t wake Michael up. (I did ask him if he’d rather watch with me or sleep. He picked sleep.)

In the meantime, I’ve been thinking back over the Andy Years and remembering. He wasn’t as flashy as Coney. He didn’t improvise like El Duque. He didn’t intimidate like Clemens or Johnson. And he didn’t have the giddyap of Guidry. But was he ever a grinder and (this will be his legacy) was he ever a big-game pitcher.

Andy Pettite pumped up — Photo: NY Daily News

I never worried when Andy was on the mound. I never said before a game, “I wonder if he’ll be The Good Andy or The Bad Andy today.” I never doubted that he would find a way to win, even when he didn’t have his best stuff. He was our rock. How do you replace your rock?

You don’t. You just tip your cap and say, “Thanks for the memories.”