BBTF.org/m/announcements : Pepper: Oswalt hints he may be done

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

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1. Tricky Dick posted on June 24, 2011 at 04:10 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Heres' the question and answer that says it all to me:

Q: Do you allow yourself to think about your career at this point?

A: I've had a pretty good one.

Uh, that "says it all?" I'm not there to hear it, so maybe I'm missing context. But that answer doesn't sound the same as "I'm going to retire." I have heard many interviews with Oswalt when he was an Astros player. And he will give terse answers like that which don't mean a lot.

2. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle posted on June 24, 2011 at 04:30 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

That's my take too. I don't really read a lot of "I'm done" talk in that quote, but I do defer context to the guy sitting in the room.

3. JRVJ posted on June 24, 2011 at 04:30 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I've really enjoyed Oswalt once he came over to the Phillies (I hadn't followed his career very closely prior to this).

It would be a shame if he retired now because of his back, but on some levels, I suspect the Phillies would really benefit if he did retire because of an injury (there may be insurance payouts to collect, plus the Phillies may not be obligated to pay the rest of his salary for this year and - I know there's a team option for $16MM for 2012, but not if there's a buyout if that's not chosen - perhaps for 2012).

4. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle posted on June 24, 2011 at 04:42 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I like Oswalt as a player. I really wouldn't mind seeing him replaced by Kyle Kendrick, as a fan.

5. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit posted on June 24, 2011 at 04:51 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I'm willing to defer to the guy in the room but even if that was the intent of the statement, I wonder how much of that intent is heat of the moment frustration and how much is genuine readiness to walkaway.

6. Nasty Nate posted on June 24, 2011 at 04:56 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Oswalt’s back will not only likely miss his next start

His foot, however, will make the start as scheduled.

7. Non-Youkilidian Geometry posted on June 24, 2011 at 04:58 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I agree that the author seems to be jumping the gun, but there are reasons to think Oswalt might consider retiring rather than undergoing surgery that would knock him out for the rest of the season and require an extensive rehab, or if he were convinced he had lost the ability to pitch effectively. He's made comments the past that this might be his last contract and that he wasn't sure how much longer he wanted to go on playing. I hope this isn't the last we see of him (and not just because he is a key part of my Scoresheet rotation), but it wouldn't surprise me too much if it is.

8. Accent Shallow posted on June 24, 2011 at 05:08 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Is there any precedent for someone as you and as good as Oswalt just walking away, even with an injury like this?

I certainly can't recall any.

9. Ron J posted on June 24, 2011 at 05:12 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

#9 Koufax? He could still get people out. He retired due to long-term health issues (plus the tremendous pain he was going through)

10. WillYoung posted on June 24, 2011 at 05:16 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Just five years ago, Brad Radke walked away at 33 years old because he didn't feel like dealing with his shoulder injury.

11. SoSH U at work posted on June 24, 2011 at 05:20 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Not as good, but Meche is younger than Oswalt and walked away rather than face more rehab.

12. Crispix Attacks 2: Swag Airlines posted on June 24, 2011 at 05:21 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Just one year ago, Gil Meche walked away at 32 years old because he didn't feel like dealing with his shoulder injury. He wasn't as good as these other three guys but he also walked away from $11 million or so.

13. RJ in TO posted on June 24, 2011 at 05:21 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Just five years ago, Brad Radke walked away at 33 years old because he didn't feel like dealing with his shoulder injury.

Thank you. I remembered that a Twin did this fairly recently, but my brain kept bringing up the name of Scott Erickson, who actually retired from extended awfulness.

14. Perry posted on June 24, 2011 at 05:22 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Is there any precedent for someone as you and as good as Oswalt just walking away, even with an injury like this?

Jackie Jensen? He quit at 32 due to fear of flying. Had an OPS+ of 132 the prior season. Came back after one year off but then quit for good.

15. T.J. posted on June 24, 2011 at 05:38 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Is there any precedent for someone as you and as good as Oswalt just walking away, even with an injury like this?

Way back in 2010, Billy Wagner was pretty awesome (37 Sv, ASG selection, 281 ERA+) and retired.

The Commerce Comet stepped away from the game after '68 because of a .237 BA, but he still had a .782 OPS, and given the offense that year, his OPS+ was still 142.

16. Mom makes botox doctors furious posted on June 24, 2011 at 05:43 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Tom Henke, 1995. 37 saves, 221 ERA+, All Star, and walked away

17. Never Give an Inge (Dave) posted on June 24, 2011 at 05:50 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Most of these examples are guys who were older than Oswalt. Will Clark is another one -- retired at age 36, after coming off his best season in nearly a decade, including a torrid second half with the Cardinals.

It's pretty common for football players to retire young, for obvious reasons. Tiki Barber, Barry Sanders, Robert Smith all come to mind.

18. Drew (Primakov, Gungho Iguanas) posted on June 24, 2011 at 05:53 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Pepper: Meteor indicates the sky is falling.

19. Pasta-diving Jeter (jmac66) posted on June 24, 2011 at 05:54 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

This thread has already named 3 of the top 5 ERA+ final seasons

20. Jeff R., P***y Mainlander posted on June 24, 2011 at 05:55 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I always remember Tom Henke hanging it up at a relatively young age, but he was actually 37 in his last year.

It was pretty damned good, though: 1.82 ERA in 54 innings, with 36 saves.

21. jwb posted on June 24, 2011 at 05:57 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Dean Chance was 30, but I think his father was ill and running the family farm was more profitable.

22. Kid Charlemagne posted on June 24, 2011 at 06:14 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Oswalt has said this kind of thing before. I certainly could see him walking away at the end of his contract, or even before if things got too bad, but I think he's a little fatalistic in the immediate wake of any injury he has. I still think he'll come back and finish out the season if he can.

23. depletion posted on June 24, 2011 at 06:29 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Back injuries seem to kill careers. The Mets let go of Darryl Strawberry when he had a back injury - he only had one year as a full time player left.

24. smileyy posted on June 24, 2011 at 06:44 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

[17] The ages those guys retired at are pretty old a running back. That's a punishing position.

25. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) posted on June 24, 2011 at 07:03 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Back injuries seem to kill careers.

Don Mattingly would agree. Randy Johnson might not.

26. Perry posted on June 24, 2011 at 07:08 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

It's pretty common for football players to retire young, for obvious reasons. Tiki Barber, Barry Sanders, Robert Smith all come to mind.

Jim Brown was at the top of his game when he retired, age 30 I believe, to pursue acting. Mike Reid was a Pro Bowl defensive lineman who was in his 20s when the quit to pursue a music career. He was afraid if he kept playing he'd injure his hands and be unable to play piano.

27. Meatwads stronger now, ready for the house posted on June 24, 2011 at 07:10 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Well sanders quit out of frustration, not sure about the others

28. AndrewJ posted on June 24, 2011 at 08:33 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Richie Ashburn walked away at age 35 due to back problems -- he hit .306 for the '62 Mets and was just 426 hits away from 3,000. If he'd been 15 years younger and was at that pace in, say, 1977, there would have been enough of a financial incentive for him to play until he made it.

29. Gamingboy posted on June 24, 2011 at 09:42 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Well, if Oswalt is gone, the Phillies will need to find another all-star.

30. depletion posted on June 24, 2011 at 09:55 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Football players who are satisfied with what they've achieved in the game sometimes wake up on the morning they're required to start training camp and decide "Nah. I'm done".
I'm not sure anyone every found out why Barry Sanders retired, except Barry and his dad. I don't think he ever gave an interview on the subject.

31. Willie Mayspedes posted on June 24, 2011 at 10:11 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

#9 Koufax? He could still get people out.

Ya and Barry Sanders still had a good chance of being halfway useful.

32. Never Give an Inge (Dave) posted on June 24, 2011 at 10:50 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

The ages those guys retired at are pretty old a running back. That's a punishing position.

True, and like I said it's pretty obvious and understandable why an NFL running back who had already made millions would decide to retire. Especially guys like Tiki or Robert Smith who had other career options after football.

That said, Smith was coming off his best season and Tiki was coming off an incredible three-year stretch. Tiki has the most Yards From Scrimmage of any player in his final 3 seasons. #s 2, 3 and 4 are Barry Sanders, Jim Brown, and Robert Smith.

33. Walt Davis posted on June 25, 2011 at 01:21 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Well, if Oswalt is gone, the Phillies will need to find another all-star.

What's your offer for a slightly used Zambrano?

Richie Ashburn walked away at age 35 due to back problems -- he hit .306 for the '62 Mets and was just 426 hits away from 3,000. If he'd been 15 years younger and was at that pace

Well, sure, if he was up to 2500 hits at age 20 ... :-)

34. McCoy Wilfong for Money posted on June 25, 2011 at 02:04 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Ed Delahanty walked away from the game at age 35 and with an OPS+ of 145. He also walked away from the ground too. The ultimate walk-off!

35. Eddie Gaedel posted on June 25, 2011 at 02:31 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

@19... I had completely forgotten about Zimmerman. Tragic story--it all ended as suddenly as it began.

36. Misirlou is bad, he's nationwide posted on June 25, 2011 at 03:23 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Richie Ashburn walked away at age 35 due to back problems -- he hit .306 for the '62 Mets and was just 426 hits away from 3,000. If he'd been 15 years younger and was at that pace in, say, 1977, there would have been enough of a financial incentive for him to play until he made it.

IIRC, Ashburn was offered the broadcasting gig after the 1962 season and took it. Back then players had to think about what they would do after their playing career, and good steady long term work was a good incentive to walk away from the game. Hank Greenberg did the same thing, taking a management position with the Indians rather than keep playing after a faily productive age 36 season.

37. The Keith Law Blog Blah Blah (battlekow) posted on June 25, 2011 at 04:40 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Well, if Oswalt is gone, the Phillies will need to find another all-star.

What's your offer for a slightly used Zambrano?

Time for the Phillies to sign Scott Kazmir?

38. Gonfalon Bubble posted on June 25, 2011 at 05:30 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Heres' the question and answer that says it all to me:

Q: Do you allow yourself to think about your career at this point?

A: I've had a pretty good one.

Then, Oswalt pushed away his plate, wiped his mouth with a napkin, stood up and said, "No more. I'm finished."

A clubhouse attendant came over and handed Oswalt a box. "Here are the Christmas ornaments you ordered, Roy." "Thanks, just stash them in the storage area for now," replied Oswalt. "It's only June. You have to know when it's time to hang them up."

39. depletion posted on June 25, 2011 at 03:58 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

A well respected meat (27) is correct and I was wrong, regarding Barry Sanders. He retired due to frustration over the Lions not being very competitive.
38 is great. Reminds me of Mad magazine.

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Tuesday, January 17, 2012

You could win the job of your dreams!

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