Bret Boone Retires

[Jpup]

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060301&content_id=1329064&vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb


By Bryan Hoch / Special to MLB.com

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Tears welled in Bret Boone's eyes, his lower lip quivering ever so slightly. Something inside had told him to go home.

Boone's 14-year Major League career came to an end Wednesday in the dugout at Tradition Field. The three-time All-Star pointed to his chest, said his inner fire was missing and announced his retirement.

"Something I've loved my whole life has become a major, major job for me," Boone said. "I don't think it would be fair for me -- or fair to the Mets -- to continue something I've loved my whole life and had so much passion for, and all of a sudden that passion isn't there anymore."

Boone, 37, was in camp with the Mets on a Minor League contract, accepting a non-roster invitation to Spring Training. After batting .221 in 88 games for the Seattle Mariners and Minnesota Twins last season, Boone said he wanted to leave the game on his terms.

"At the end of the day, physically I think I could still do it," Boone said. "It wasn't as easy as three or four years ago to get out there every day, but to me, I just lost it. I lost the edge."

Mets GM Omar Minaya said that he supported the decision. Boone was absent from camp on Tuesday, when the Mets went through their first intra-squad game, and decided to retire now rather than go through the team's exhibition schedule.

"He did not disappoint us," Minaya said. "It takes a man to make a decision. One of the reasons we brought Bret on board this spring was because of the way he plays the game -- the way he gave in the clubhouse, the passion he brought to the game. That passion was something that was contagious. I fully support his decision."

Boone said a pivotal moment came when he watched 22-year-old shortstop Jose Reyes last week, gleefully coasting through drills even after four hours in the Florida sun.

"He just kind of stared at me with that smile on his face," Boone said. "I said, 'That's what I remember.' Being a kid. He's got so much love right now for this game, and it's right on his sleeve. I know what he's feeling.

"He can't wait to get to the ballpark and go to work, and that's awesome. That's what you need to be successful in this game, and if you don't have that, you're wasting everybody's time."

Boone finishes his career as a lifetime .266 hitter with the Mariners, Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres and Twins. A four-time Gold Glove award winner and a two-time Silver Slugger recipient, Boone compiled 1,775 hits, 252 home runs and 1,021 RBI in 1,780 career games.

Boone's retirement leaves three candidates -- Kaz Matsui, Anderson Hernandez and Jeff Keppinger -- in the race to be the Mets' Opening Day second baseman. Minaya said he is confident the team will fill the position.

"We'll find ways," Minaya said. "We'll find guys to be able to get the job done."

http://mlb.mlb.com/images/2006/02/27/SGneWvYP.jpg

[savafan]

Well, the game is cleaning up its steroid problem

[KronoRed]

"We'll find ways," Minaya said. "We'll find guys to be able to get the job done."

May we interest you in..Tony Womack? :D

[Super_Barry11]

I'll always wish him well... I'm disappointed, but I bet this is probably the best decision. I'm sure his kids will be happy to have him around at home more!!

I absolutely LOVED him when he was with the Reds. I still have his poster on my wall at home!! He was a model for me defensively, especially as I got into college and made the permanent switch from shortstop to 2nd base.

Aww, this is pretty sad... :(

[Red Leader]

I absolutely LOVED him when he was with the Reds. I still have his poster on my wall at home!! He was a model for me defensively, especially as I got into college and made the permanent switch from shortstop to 2nd base.

Aww, this is pretty sad...


Are you going to retire that article of clothing you have with Bret Boone on it, SB? :mooner:

[westofyou]

Well, the game is cleaning up its steroid problem

I love the accusation that he did steroids.

He could have just started working out more too... no one says anything about that, it must not be sexy enough.

Just looking at the mans numbers I see one huge constant in his three biggest seasons, 1994, 2001, 2003.

An un-Boone like high BA.

But y'all keep tooting that steroid horn if you like the tune so much, I'll just note that surges like that have occured on and off in the game for as long as its been played and if Boone was doing steroids to get power his 1994 season should be tainted with that as well, just kinda makes ya wonder what happened to 96 and 97.

[Super_Barry11]

Are you going to retire that article of clothing you have with Bret Boone on it, SB? :mooner:

:laugh: Nah, I think I'll still get some use out of it... It's quality, let me tell ya!! :D :p:

[Maldonado]

Well, the game is cleaning up its steroid problem

I've had this hunch about Boonie. What gives you this idea? He just too suddenly went from an average hitter to a home run hitter who can hit for average.

[savafan]

I don't know whether or not Bret Boone used steroids, but he has been accused of it by a lot of people. Look at the others who have faced these accusations and see where they are right now.

Palmeiro-likely done
Sosa-likely done
Boone-done
Bonds-MLB loves him and needs him...he's the #1 villain
Giambi-the feel good story of last year


For the most part, it seems like those players implicated in the steroid scandal have been blackballed by the sport.

[Donder]

Boone was my favorite player when he was with the Reds. I wanted to play second base because that's where he played. I remember even wanting to get my hair cut like him. Of all the trades the Reds have made in my lifetime, trading him to Atlanta was the one I was most disappointed about.

[TeamBoone]

Well, the game is cleaning up its steroid problem

Any proof? Perhaps he just worked hard.

Good luck to you, Bret. I loved when you were a Red.

I loved this:
Boone said a pivotal moment came when he watched 22-year-old shortstop Jose Reyes last week, gleefully coasting through drills even after four hours in the Florida sun.

"He just kind of stared at me with that smile on his face," Boone said. "I said, 'That's what I remember.' Being a kid. He's got so much love right now for this game, and it's right on his sleeve. I know what he's feeling.

"He can't wait to get to the ballpark and go to work, and that's awesome. That's what you need to be successful in this game, and if you don't have that, you're wasting everybody's time."

[Red Leader]

I blame Bob Boone.

[KittyDuran]

I blame Bob Boone.Yeah, he definitely was there in the beginning... ;)

[Maldonado]

I don't know whether or not Bret Boone used steroids, but he has been accused of it by a lot of people. Look at the others who have faced these accusations and see where they are right now.

Palmeiro-likely done
Sosa-likely done
Boone-done
Bonds-MLB loves him and needs him...he's the #1 villain
Giambi-the feel good story of last year


For the most part, it seems like those players implicated in the steroid scandal have been blackballed by the sport.

I remember back in the early 2000's thinking that suddenly Bret Boone had some tremendous forearms, like Popeye's. Jose Canseco said the same thing in his book. Canseco is a liar and a cheat, but he's turned out to be right in his book about Palmeiro.

[Aceking]

I think the major reason Boone has been lumped into the steroids mess is the same reason Sosa, and even Danny Graves were. They were players whose productivity dropped dramatically in the same year, the year of testing. That may be coincidence, but it's hurt Boone.

[HalMorrisRules]

I hated to hear this news. It is not going to be a fun evening around the house tonight. My wife cares not one bit about baseball but for some strange reason (and she admits it's strange) she absolutely loved Bret Boone. No matter what team he went to after leaving Cincinnati she always followed his career. If there was a game on the satellite that Bret was playing in she would always want me to let her know when he was coming up to bat.

Last August we took a vacation to Minnesota. We had other reasons for going there but we took the trip when we did because the Twins were in town and Bret was playing for them then. It was the day of the game and Bret wasnt exactly playing well and I knew there was talk that the Twins were going to release him. We were literally walking out the door to go to the Metrodome and I checked online and saw the transaction where the Twins had released him. She was crushed. Like I said we had other reasons for going there but she was so excited to see him again.

She actually asked me just today when we would know if he made the Mets team. I told her we might not know for a month. Little did I know we would know within the next couple of hours.

I indulged her Bret fascination because no matter how small, it was one part of baseball that she and I could share. I will miss that.

[dougflynn23]

I blame Bob Boone. :confused: Can steroids by transferred in-vitro?

[Roy Tucker]

I think this discussion about Bret Boone and steroids is just one more in a series of steroid-related discussions about players from the 90's and early 00's that will continue. There is some room in the dicussion for suspicion, but also room for legitimate reasons for career twists and turns.

I don't think Boone will have a Palmeiro- or Sosa-like steroid pall over his career, but there will be whispers.

Me? I liked him a lot as a ballplayer and was one of the few reason to follow the Reds in the mid 90's.

[Little Alex]

OK... skinny players that bulk up in like a week, and suddenly hit for power. Then, after the steroid scandal, they suddenly fall apart.
Nope. Nothing fishy there.

http://www.livejournal.com/userpic/28931536/364739

[Maldonado]

OK... skinny players that bulk up in like a week, and suddenly hit for power. Then, after the steroid scandal, they suddenly fall apart.
Nope. Nothing fishy there.

http://www.livejournal.com/userpic/28931536/364739

LOL - very well stated here. Perhaps I've been too cautious in giving Boone the benefit of the doubt, especially when you put it like this.

[RedsManRick]

Alex nailed it on the head. He went from 7 years of a .260/.320/.420 guy to a .950 OPS MVP candidate while switching leagues and suddently geting Popeye-like arms. You'll notice his K and BB rates were virtually identical, suggesting to me that he didn't radically alter his approach. Then, in 2004 when steroids become an issue, he deflates, and is out of baseball within 2 years.

Reminds me quite a bit of how Sammy went out. Only Boone did it with class.

[westofyou]

Alex nailed it on the head. He went from 7 years of a .260/.320/.420 guy to a .950 OPS MVP candidate while switching leagues and suddently geting Popeye-like arms. .

But he was the 2nd best hitting 2nd baseman in MLB in 1994, was he juicing then too?



SEASON
1994
2B
RUNS CREATED/GAME vs. the league average displayed only--not a sorting criteria
AVERAGE vs. the league average displayed only--not a sorting criteria

OPS DIFF PLAYER LEAGUE RC/G AVG
1 Craig Biggio .123 .893 .771 3.44 .044
2 Bret Boone .088 .858 .771 1.12 .046
3 Carlos Baerga .079 .858 .779 0.90 .042
4 Chuck Knoblauch .063 .841 .779 1.44 .040
5 Roberto Alomar .059 .838 .779 0.73 .034
6 Jeff Kent .045 .816 .771 0.52 .017
7 Bip Roberts .009 .780 .771 0.76 .046
8 Bret Barberie -.008 .762 .771 0.42 .027
9 Mike Lansing -.075 .696 .771 -1.17 -.008
10 Jody Reed -.076 .703 .779 -.78 -.002





SEASON
2001
2B
RUNS CREATED/GAME vs. the league average displayed only--not a sorting criteria
AVERAGE vs. the league average displayed only--not a sorting criteria

OPS DIFF PLAYER LEAGUE RC/G AVG
1 Roberto Alomar .192 .956 .763 3.94 .068
2 Bret Boone .187 .950 .763 2.81 .063
3 Jeff Kent .097 .877 .780 1.54 .030
4 Jose Vidro .076 .856 .780 1.06 .050
5 Craig Biggio .058 .838 .780 1.28 .023
6 Ray Durham .041 .804 .763 0.42 -.001
7 Todd Walker .034 .814 .780 0.17 .027
8 Fernando Vina -.005 .775 .780 0.38 .034
9 Frank Menechino -.021 .742 .763 -.16 -.025
10 Marlon Anderson -.021 .758 .780 -.42 .025

[Little Alex]

But he was the 2nd best hitting 2nd baseman in MLB in 1994, was he juicing then too?



http://ballcardz.com/images/boonebret.jpg

Doesn't look like it. But maybe he was just getting started?

[westofyou]

Doesn't look like it. But maybe he was just getting started?

Maybe he started in 1998?



YEAR TEAM AGE G AB R H 2B 3B HR HR% RBI BB SO SB CS AVG SLG OBA OPS
1996 Reds 27 142 520 56 121 21 3 12 2.31 69 31 100 3 2 .233 .354 .275 .629
1997 Reds 28 139 443 40 99 25 1 7 1.58 46 45 101 5 5 .223 .332 .298 .630
1998 Reds 29 157 583 76 155 38 1 24 4.12 95 48 104 6 4 .266 .458 .324 .782
TOTALS 438 1546 172 375 84 5 43 2.78 210 124 305 14 11 .243 .387 .300 .687
LG AVERAGE 1622 227 438 84 10 49 3.01 215 165 300 37 16 .270 .424 .340 .764
POS AVERAGE 1607 224 426 79 11 29 1.80 166 147 268 54 19 .265 .382 .332 .714

But that ignores his 2000 season


YEAR TEAM AGE G AB R H 2B 3B HR HR% RBI BB SO SB CS AVG SLG OBA OPS
1999 Braves 30 152 608 102 153 38 1 20 3.29 63 47 112 14 9 .252 .416 .310 .726
2000 Padres 31 127 463 61 116 18 2 19 4.10 74 50 97 8 4 .251 .421 .326 .747
TOTALS 279 1071 163 269 56 3 39 3.64 137 97 209 22 13 .251 .418 .317 .735
LG AVERAGE 1108 167 304 60 7 39 3.48 159 125 202 24 10 .275 .445 .351 .796
POS AVERAGE 1110 173 312 62 8 25 2.26 127 117 166 33 15 .281 .418 .352 .771

[MWM]

The only person I ever recall accusing Boone was Canseco. And he said that it was based on an interaction in Spring Training, when Jose was on second base and Boone was playing second. I thought I remember someone in the media researching game records and saying that this situation NEVER occurred in a game. I still don't believe anything coming out of the mouth of Jose Canseco.

[TeamBoone]

That's what I remember too... it proves Canseco lied.

[dman]

I guess I just take things at face value. Whether I believe that Boone did or didn't use 'roids is irrelevant at this point. I liked Boone, I liked him more as a Red, and I'm very sad and sorry to see him go and his career go down. WoY, thanks for making that post about power surges being known to happen throughout various players' careers. We may never know if this was the case with Boone, but during his prime he was a treat to watch when he played. Best of luck to you Bret.:beerme:

[foxfire123]

I loved Bret when he was with the Reds, in fact it was his amazing July in 95 <94?> that turned me from "watching the games with the hubby to make him happy" to being a die hard fan. I hated the Reds for trading him.

But when he got out west, he changed. Look at the jaw line--heavier and more defined than it was--a sign of steroids, Bret always had a baby face and looked so *young*. And then there was the almost overnight bulking up overall and un-Bret like numbers. It was more than just working out I think. Unfortunately.

Foxfire123

[TeamCasey]

I love the accusation that he did steroids.

I have to admit. I always suspected him.

Simply from his dramatic change in physique.

[RedsBaron]

I have to admit. I always suspected him.

Simply from his dramatic change in physique.
Me too.
Defenders of Boone or Bonds or Sosa or just about anyone else suspected of being on the juice can always say no one can "prove" the player was juiced, and they are right. Absent a confession, it is pretty much impossible to now "prove" that any player used anything between 1995 and 2003.

[RedFanAlways1966]

Me too.
Defenders of Boone or Bonds or Sosa or just about anyone else suspected of being on the juice can always say no one can "prove" the player was juiced, and they are right. Absent a confession, it is pretty much impossible to now "prove" that any player used anything between 1995 and 2003.

Well said. And b/c MLB and the Player's Union decided to let these things happen (do not think for a second that they were not aware), baseball fans will argue these things into the ground. I am sure once "these players" are gone and retired, the "did he or didn't he do them" will die down. And I cannot wait for that day.

[RedsBaron]

Well said. And b/c MLB and the Player's Union decided to let these things happen (do not think for a second that they were not aware), baseball fans will argue these things into the ground. I am sure once "these players" are gone and retired, the "did he or didn't he do them" will die down. And I cannot wait for that day.
The decision by MLB and the Players Union not to have any meaningful testing and to look the other way while players juiced is why I do not have much sympathy for most of the players who now proclaim their innocence and assert how unfair it is to question their numbers.

[RedsManRick]

But he was the 2nd best hitting 2nd baseman in MLB in 1994, was he juicing then too?



SEASON
1994
2B
RUNS CREATED/GAME vs. the league average displayed only--not a sorting criteria
AVERAGE vs. the league average displayed only--not a sorting criteria

OPS DIFF PLAYER LEAGUE RC/G AVG
1 Craig Biggio .123 .893 .771 3.44 .044
2 Bret Boone .088 .858 .771 1.12 .046
3 Carlos Baerga .079 .858 .779 0.90 .042
4 Chuck Knoblauch .063 .841 .779 1.44 .040
5 Roberto Alomar .059 .838 .779 0.73 .034
6 Jeff Kent .045 .816 .771 0.52 .017
7 Bip Roberts .009 .780 .771 0.76 .046
8 Bret Barberie -.008 .762 .771 0.42 .027
9 Mike Lansing -.075 .696 .771 -1.17 -.008
10 Jody Reed -.076 .703 .779 -.78 -.002





SEASON
2001
2B
RUNS CREATED/GAME vs. the league average displayed only--not a sorting criteria
AVERAGE vs. the league average displayed only--not a sorting criteria

OPS DIFF PLAYER LEAGUE RC/G AVG
1 Roberto Alomar .192 .956 .763 3.94 .068
2 Bret Boone .187 .950 .763 2.81 .063
3 Jeff Kent .097 .877 .780 1.54 .030
4 Jose Vidro .076 .856 .780 1.06 .050
5 Craig Biggio .058 .838 .780 1.28 .023
6 Ray Durham .041 .804 .763 0.42 -.001
7 Todd Walker .034 .814 .780 0.17 .027
8 Fernando Vina -.005 .775 .780 0.38 .034
9 Frank Menechino -.021 .742 .763 -.16 -.025
10 Marlon Anderson -.021 .758 .780 -.42 .025


Well, 2b generally speaking weren't nearly as good in 1994 as evidenced by the numbers you've shown. Also, nearly every drop of his increase in production can be tied to a 60 point increase in batting average in '94, which over the course of his 381 bats can be seen as much as an aberration anything else. His walk and power numbers were virtually the same.

In 2001, His OPS jumped .200 points over what he had been averaging the previous 6 years, 100 points over his 1994 season.

[westofyou]

Also, nearly every drop of his increase in production can be tied to a 60 point increase in batting average

Every season that he succeeded above normal can be tied to his BA, just like Norm Cash in 1961 or Don Mueller in 1954. Or maybe even Deron Johnson in 1965.

[savafan]

I've told this story before, but I'll tell it again. My favorite Bret Boone story doesn't even really involve Bret Boone. I was at Riverfront in 1996, and was in dire need of a restroom. I looked right and saw a long line at the restroom. I walked a ways before finding another restroom and rushed in. As I was sitting in the stall, I took up the pasttime of reading what was written in there, and saw "Bret Boone is a babe." I freaked out, finished what I was doing and got out of there as fast as I could. Once outside, I looked and realized I had gone into the women's restroom. Who would have thought there'd be a line at the men's and not the women's? :dunno:

[scounts22]

I've told this story before, but I'll tell it again. My favorite Bret Boone story doesn't even really involve Bret Boone. I was at Riverfront in 1996, and was in dire need of a restroom. I looked right and saw a long line at the restroom. I walked a ways before finding another restroom and rushed in. As I was sitting in the stall, I took up the pasttime of reading what was written in there, and saw "Bret Boone is a babe." I freaked out, finished what I was doing and got out of there as fast as I could. Once outside, I looked and realized I had gone into the women's restroom. Who would have thought there'd be a line at the men's and not the women's? :dunno:

Phenomenal story!!! My favorite Bret Boone story happens to have taken place in 1997, just after I had graduated from high school. Some friends and I came to a Sunday afternoon game and afterward we decided to be stupid and run the bases. We were almost the last ones in line and by the time we got back to the car it was well after the game had ended. As we're driving by the parking lot, windows down and music blaring, (I'm in the driver's seat) we see a shiny black convertible with a lot of people around it. My friend says to me, "Slow down, I think it's a player!" So I did, and was instantly overcome with emotion as I yelled "OH MY GOD, IT'S BRET BOONE!" Suddenly this sea of heads, including Mr. Boone's, turned to look at the maniac driving by. Like an idiot I turned the car around and he was coming out of the parking lot, tires screeching. To this day I still feel bad about it...he probably thought I was a crazy stalker. :D