Five-time All-Star Matt Williams, who had been the last of the original Diamondbacks until recently being released, said Thursday he’s retiring.
Williams, who had 378 career home runs, spent the past 5 1/2 seasons with the Diamondbacks. When he was designated for assignment by the team June 1, he said he still had “some gas left in the tank.”
But Thursday, he told the Arizona Republic, “I’m at peace with [retirement] and the effort I gave throughout my career and excited about the future.”
Williams said he called it quits because of his commitment to his family
“I’ll say it again–I’m a father first,” said Williams, 37. “Baseball certainly is a big part of my life and has given me a lot. I think I gave back a lot with a lot of desire.
“But my kids are ages 13, 12 and 10, and I’ve been a baseball player and missed a lot of their time.”
Diamondbacks spokesman Jeff Munn told the Associated Press on Thursday that the team had not made any announcements about Williams retiring and had not heard anything about it.
Williams, who played with San Francisco, Cleveland and the Diamondbacks, finished his career with a .268 batting average and 1,218 RBIs in 7,000 at-bats. He also earned four Gold Glove awards.
Van Poppel moving
Right-handed reliever Todd Van Poppel accepted a non-guaranteed minor-league deal Thursday with the Cincinnati Reds. The Texas Rangers released Van Poppel last week after he went 1-0 with an 8.52 ERA in seven appearances. He signed with the Rangers after pitching for the Cubs in 2001.
Expos’ Guerrero rehabbing
Expos GM Omar Minaya said All-Star outfielder Vladimir Guerrero, who went on the 15-day DL Friday with a herniated disc in his back, will be lost for six to eight weeks if rehabilitation isn’t successful. Guerrero began rehabilitation Saturday.
THURSDAY’S NL GAME
RESULTS, SYNOPSIS
Florida 5 at Milwaukee 6
W: Kinney (5-4)
L: Pavano (5-7)
S: DeJean (15)
Eric Young and Wes Helms homered in a five-run sixth inning, and Richie Sexson hit his 20th–tying him with Cincinnati’s Adam Dunn for the NL lead. Brewers snapped 4-game losing streak.
