Larkin: Cancel My Retirement Ceremony

[Lance McAlister]

CANCELLATION: At the request of Barry Larkin, the Reds have cancelled his retirement ceremony scheduled for October 2..."Right now, I would like to leave my options as a player open for 2005," Larkin said...recently named to his 12th All-Star team, Larkin is in his 19th season with the Reds and ranks among the franchise's all-time leaders in every statistical category...Reds chief operating officer John Allen said, "Barry has made it known to us that, at this time, he is not committed to retiring after this season and feels any kind of ceremony would be inappropriate. We respect his decision."

[Chip R]

Interesting. If he does decide to retire, though, I would hope that they honor him early next season.

[princeton]

[RedLegsToday]

This is actually a bit disappointing. An All-star berth and a healthy final season for Larkin is a nice way to go out.

[TRF]

Next year would be a great mentoring year for him as a super sub. If only there were a SS in the organization for him to mentor.

[Lance McAlister]

Would you assume this would cost them Castro next year?
Either from a lack of fund standpoint or Juan wanting a chance to start?

[Chip R]

Would you assume this would cost them Castro next year?
Either from a lack of fund standpoint or Juan wanting a chance to start?

Not necessarily. I think they could sign both. Larkin probably won't be asking for much more than he's getting this year. I just hope that the Reds handle it right this time and not wait till the last minute to make a decision.

As for Castro, I doubt that there are going to be a lot of teams out there looking for him to start at SS for them. Also, from all indications, Juan likes it here and might want to stay on. He may be in the mix to start at 3rd if Barry sticks around.

I wonder if Barry announced this before Jack made his decision on bringing Barry to the ASG if Jack still would have selected him? :mhcky21:

[GoReds]

Would you assume this would cost them Castro next year?
Either from a lack of fund standpoint or Juan wanting a chance to start?

I think Juan will be with the Reds next year, particularly if EdE doesn't lay claim to 3B for the next several years.

Juan would be good insurance to have for Barry and the question mark at third, provided the salary is agreeable. Don't see any reason why it shouldn't be.

[smith288]

Larkin will regret it if he doesnt retire. ALWAYS leave when you are in the twilight of your career and still able. Otherwise he looks like a person trying to hold onto a crazed cat. Eventually, you will look like a boob and the last thing they remember of you was your pathetic attempts to hold onto something too long.

[IslandRed]

Larkin will regret it if he doesnt retire. ALWAYS leave when you are in the twilight of your career and still able. Otherwise he looks like a person trying to hold onto a crazed cat. Eventually, you will look like a boob and the last thing they remember of you was your pathetic attempts to hold onto something too long.

We might regret seeing Larkin as a shell of his former self at the time, but as soon as he hangs 'em up, we'll forget all that, just as the fact that Michael Jordan ever suited up for the Washington Wizards is already vanishing from our collective memory.

Babe Ruth. Willie Mays. Henry Aaron. Etc. Etc. Most of the game's greats hung on past the point of being great, or even good. Johnny Bench's last three years were spent as a mediocre corner infielder. In the hindsight of history, who really cares? Some people are able to step away on a high note, others will hang on until they can't find anyone willing to give them a uniform to wear, and it really doesn't make any difference in the end. Whatever Barry wants to do is fine with me. (Which is not the same as saying the Reds have an obligation to accommodate him.)

[dman]

Larkin will regret it if he doesnt retire. ALWAYS leave when you are in the twilight of your career and still able. Otherwise he looks like a person trying to hold onto a crazed cat. Eventually, you will look like a boob and the last thing they remember of you was your pathetic attempts to hold onto something too long.

Barry, PLEASE don't go pulling any Rickey Henderson kind of stunts. Cincinnati loves ya bud, but when it's time to hang it up, it's time to hang it up.

[Eric_Davis]

Well, he earned it.

There just aren't any shortstops in the National League doing well this year.

A really poor year for SS's in the NL.

Maybe they can change the day to the Marge Schott appreciation Day.

[traderumor]

Nice move on his part to cancel instead of doing a Clemens and umpteen other guys who have the big shindig on their day and then come back and play. And they never give back the retirement gifts....

So maybe this will give Joe the same idea? :

[cReds1]

Well, he earned it.

There just aren't any shortstops in the National League doing well this year.

A really poor year for SS's in the NL.

Maybe they can change the day to the Marge Schott appreciation Day.

I don't know if you consider Wilson, Cruz, Clayton (doing better than Larkin) and Izturis doing about equal as doing well this year or not than I don't know what to say. Many others are right behind him or doing better in other categories and they have played more games than him.

[Eric_Davis]

He's still as good a #2 hitter as there is.