http://twitter.com/#!/jonmorosi/status/27421419818188800
Surprise news: Gil Meche announces his retirement from #MLB. #Royals #Mariners
http://twitter.com/#!/Swanee54/status/27420769315196928
It is with mixed emotions that to report that Gil Meche has announced his
retirement from baseball today. Statement from Gil to follow.
http://twitter.com/#!/SI_JonHeyman/status/27421348775075840
gil meche announces retirement. #55
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Gil Meche retires from baseball
The following is a statement from Gil Meche:
"After a lot of thinking and prioritizing of issues in my life I have decided
to retire from baseball. As a competitor my entire life this is the hardest
decision that I've ever faced, but it's not fair to me, my family or the
Kansas City Royals that I attempt to pitch anymore. I came into this game as
a starting pitcher and unfortunately my health, more accurately, my shoulder,
has deteriorated to the point where surgery would be the only option and at
this stage of my life I would prefer to call it a career rather than to
attempt to pitch in relief for the final year of my contract. I can't thank
the Kansas City Royals and their fans enough for my four seasons there and if
I have any regret, it's that we weren't able to accomplish on the field what
the goal was when I signed there."
The 32-year-old Meche was 84-83 with a 4.49 ERA in 10 Major League seasons
for the Seattle Mariners (1999-2000, 2003-06) and Royals (2007-10). Meche
signed a five-year contract with the Royals on December 8, 2006 and served as
the club's Opening Day starter in 2007, 2008 and 2009. He posted a 29-39
record for Kansas City, compiling a 4.27 ERA in 111 games, including 100
starts. Meche tied for second in the Majors with 68 starts combined in 2007
and 2008 and also ranked tied for sixth with 44 quality starts over that
span. The native of Lafayette, La., struggled with right shoulder injuries
in 2009 and 2010, making 43 appearances (32 starts).
http://royals.mlblogs.com/archives/2011/01/gil_meche_retires_from_basebal.html