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Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Brian Fuentes announces retirement

Veteran left-hander Brian Fuentes was placed on the restricted list by the Cardinals in mid-August for undisclosed personal reasons and did not return to St. Louis. Now Fuentes is calling it quits for good.

According to Sean Lynch of the Merced Sun-Star, the 37-year-old reliever has retired from baseball, officially ending a 12-year major league career.

“Ultimately, I was just having trouble with the time away from my family,” explained Fuentes. “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. … Ultimately you start thinking about what you’re playing for.”

Thanks to GH.

Repoz Posted: November 14, 2012 at 10:16 PM | 15 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
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1. the Hugh Jorgan returns Posted: November 15, 2012 at 12:48 AM (#4303113)

I think at one point I went like two months without seeing them.

Dude makes $39 mil in a 12 year career and he can't afford to fly his family to stay in a hotel nearby for a few days??

2. Jim (jimmuscomp) Posted: November 15, 2012 at 01:03 AM (#4303126)

Thanks for the effort Fuentasaurus.

You pitched better in Anaheim than you got credit for.

3. Crispix Attacks 2: Swag Airlines Posted: November 15, 2012 at 02:19 AM (#4303151)

Dude makes $39 mil in a 12 year career and he can't afford to fly his family to stay in a hotel nearby for a few days??

Maybe his kids have to go to school or his wife has a job or something.

4. ShoeGrit Posted: November 15, 2012 at 04:58 AM (#4303174)

Gracie used to always exhort the D Backs hitters to "Hit the dry side" when facing Fuentes.

Subtle. ;)

5. RMc and His Roster of Rubbish Posted: November 15, 2012 at 06:12 AM (#4303182)

“Ultimately, I was just having trouble with the time away from my family,”

It's amazing how much a 6.84 ERA can focus a man's mind on what's important in life.

6. BourbonSamurai, vassal of the Harpsburg Empire Posted: November 15, 2012 at 07:35 AM (#4303189)

I wish you well Brian Fuentes, but man you sucked for the A's. Enjoy your 39 million.

7. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: November 15, 2012 at 09:55 AM (#4303221)

Well at least he helped get Bob Geren fired, so there's that.

8. Spivey Posted: November 15, 2012 at 10:00 AM (#4303225)

Fuentes seemed to never be thought very highly of, but he was one of the best and most consistent left-handed relievers throughout his career.

9. donlock Posted: November 15, 2012 at 10:24 AM (#4303234)

Agree with #1. You don't have to have the family move to St. Louis, but you might think they could get away for a weekend or two, a few days of a home stand? You could hire someone to help the wife travel with the kids. I always thought it might be enjoyable for the kids to go to the town the guy works and see him play. He is the meal ticket and part of the family.

Having said all that, there may be family issues that make visits difficult.

10. Don't want the truth; just wanna see some dingers Posted: November 15, 2012 at 10:28 AM (#4303236)

Adios, dirty Fuentes.

11. Tom Nawrocki Posted: November 15, 2012 at 11:28 AM (#4303280)

Yeah, being the closer for the Rockies just before they got good is hardly a path to glory. But Fuentes made the best of it.

12. zonk Posted: November 15, 2012 at 11:36 AM (#4303288)

Always had a soft spot for Fuentes --

I snagged him with a first week roto waiver claim back in 2005, then got to keep him at a cheap price for 2 more years... yeah, yeah - saves are stupid, but finding that right competent reliever who suddenly develops the 'ability to close games' (which is mainly a function of a manager giving him the ball for a BS stat, but whatever) is one of the keys to fantasy baseball...

13. gef the talking mongoose Posted: November 15, 2012 at 12:12 PM (#4303328)

I snagged him with a first week roto waiver claim back in 2005, then got to keep him at a cheap price for 2 more years... yeah, yeah - saves are stupid, but finding that right competent reliever who suddenly develops the 'ability to close games' (which is mainly a function of a manager giving him the ball for a BS stat, but whatever) is one of the keys to fantasy baseball...

Yep. I remember winning my league in part back in '95 (IIRC) by picking up, & then discarding after their times had come & gone, no less than 4 guys who collected saves for the Rockies -- Steve Reed, Darren Holmes, Curtis "the Satanic Mechanic" Leskanic & Bruce Ruffin.

14. kthejoker Posted: November 15, 2012 at 03:54 PM (#4303496)

Pretty sure "trouble with the time away from my family" is code for adultery on somebody's part.

15. The Chronicles of Reddick Posted: November 15, 2012 at 05:50 PM (#4303658)

Pretty sure "trouble with the time away from my family" is code for adultery on somebody's part.

I'm sure he was low and away in that regard as well.

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Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Brian Fuentes announces retirement

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