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Dodgers' Ventura Announces Retirement Following Loss
Dodgers third baseman Robin Ventura won six Gold Gloves for his defensive prowess.
Robin Ventura, one of the smoothest-fielding third baseman of his era with a penchant for coming through with the bases loaded, has retired.
The 37-year-old Ventura made the announcement shortly after the Los Angeles Dodgers were eliminated from the National League Division Series by the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday night.
"I realize it's time to go," Ventura said. "That's it. It was fun. The way it ended, it's not supposed to be some movie. It is what it is. I had a great time this year. Growing up, you always like to play for the team you followed."
Ventura ends a 16-year career that never quite reached lofty expectations, but did include some memorable hits. A reserve corner infielder for the Dodgers, Ventura was one of the most popular players in the league.
Arriving in the league with the reputation as one of the greatest collegiate hitters of all-time -- he had a 58-game hitting streak at Oklahoma State -- Ventura broke in with the Chicago White Sox in 1989. While he never became the feared offensive force many thought he would be, he did make two All-Star teams and won six Gold Gloves for defensive excellence.
He was a career .267 hitter with 289 homers and 1,154 RBI but 18 of those homers came with the bases loaded. Only Hall-of-Famers Lou Gehrig (23) and Eddie Murray (19) had more.
Ventura's best season was 1999, when he hit .301 with 32 homers and 120 RBI for the New York Mets. That season he delivered a game-winning grand slam in the 15th inning of Game Five of the National League Championship Series, but was credited only with a single when he was mobbed by teammates between first and second base.
Ventura helped the Mets reach the World Series in 2000.
Source: AP