Detroit Tigers’ Jim Leyland steps down as manager after 22-year MLB career

Jim Leyland announced on October 21 that he’s stepping down as the manager of the Detroit Tigers.


The 68-year-old said he’ll remain with the American League ball club in a new position that’s yet to
be decided upon. Leyland said he actually came to his decision back on September 7 when his team was blown out by the Kansas City Royals. He then informed his players after the Tigers were eliminated from the  American League Championship Series by the Boston Red Sox on October 19.

Leyland enjoyed a 22-year managerial career in MLB with the last eight of them being in Detroit. He claimed that he didn’t have the same energy and passion for the game anymore and puts that down to his age. He stated that he didn’t think it was fair to the organization and the fans to hang onto the job just for the sake of it. He said the same thing when he resigned from the Colorado Rockies back in 1999, but it’s doubtful he’ll change his mind this time.

Mike Ilitch, the owner of the Tigers, thanked Leyland for all of his hard work with the club and added that he’s been an instrumental person for the franchise both on and off of the ball diamond. Ilitch said there’s still room in the organization for the former Minor League catcher and they’ll soon decide what the best position for him is. Leyland managed in Detroit’s farm system for more than 10 years before getting a break as a Major League coach with the Chicago White Sox early in the 1980s.

David Beckham Retires

Legendary English soccer player David Beckham, who perhaps owns the most recognizable face on the planet, announced on May 16 that he’s going to retire at the end of the current season. Beckham currently plays for Paris Saint Germain (PSG) in France’s Ligue 1. The 38-year-old midfielder managed to win a league championship in four different countries recently when PSG won the French title. Beckham is under contract with the team until June and is donating his salary to a children’s charity.

Beckham said he thanks PSG for giving him the chance to continue his career this season after he left the Los Angeles Galaxy of North America’s Major League Soccer (MLS), but believes the time is right to hang up his boots. PSG has just two games remaining in the 2012/13 season. Beckham has now won league titles with Manchester United in England, Real Madrid in Spain as well as the Galaxy and PSG.

Beckham admitted that his career has been a dream come true since he had the opportunity to captain England’s national team and play for Manchester United, his favorite team as a child. Beckham played 115 games for England, which is a record for an outfield player and won several trophies with Manchester. He claims that being named the captain of his homeland was possibly the highlight of his long career and certainly one of his proudest moments in soccer. He added that he was honored to represent his country both on and off the soccer pitch.

Manu Ginobili Retiring After End of Season?

The first report from the 1250am ESPNSA Radio show 'The Blitz' was that Manu Ginobili would be out 3-4 weeks and would miss the rest of the regular season.

Later in the show, the two deejays, Jason Minnix and former All-Pro Dallas Cowboy linebacker Dat Nguyen, chimed in with more 'breaking' news-saying a source was indicating that Manu would be retiring at the end of the season.  The source was citing the injuries for Manu were adding up and he would not be signing a new contract.

Apparently, the switchboard lit up.

Kobe on Retirement: Next Season will be my Last

Logging over 45,000 total minutes in his NBA career, 53,000 if you include the playoffs, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has a lot of tread on his tires. Currently in his 17th NBA season, Kobe has been the mark of consistency as his per game production has yet to noticeably dip this late into his career. But, with only one

more year left on his current contract and already 34 years old, wondering how much longer Kobe has left is a viable concern.

Bryant made it clear awhile back that he will only play as long as he is at an elite level and his health permits it. But these comments to NBA.com make it pretty clear that as of now, the Black Mamba is done after next season.

“We’ll talk,” Bryant said after piling up 19 points, 14 assists against one turnover and nine rebounds while playing all but 23 seconds of the 103-98 victory over the Kings at Sleep Train Arena. “I’ll talk to my family and stuff and really see if I want to continue to sacrifice as much as I’m sacrificing right now. I’m putting my body through a lot to just try to get ready to play every single night. To do what I’m doing right now, it’s not easy. I’ll tell you, it’s taken a lot of commitment.”
Is your sense that next season will be your last?
“As I sit here right now, yeah.”
Is there anything the Lakers can say that would make it more likely you played beyond next season?
“No,” Bryant told NBA.com. “It’s my decision. It’s really about what I want to do, if I want to train and be psychotic with my training. That’s what it comes down to. It’s really how I’m feeling physically.”

Chris Gamble retires after release from the Carolina Panthers

Cornerback Chris Gamble was released from the Carolina Panthers last week in what is considered to be a salary cap maneuver. 

Although he would not have a problem finding work, Gamble has decided to walk away from the field after dealing with a recent rash of injuries.

Over the past three seasons Gamble has dealt with shoulder, ankle, hamstring, and concussion problems.

Through it all, he remained a starter on a Carolina team that is now forced to rebuild their secondary through cheaper free agents or rookies selected in the draft.

Former Cy Young winner Chris Carpenter may be forced to retire

Former Cy Young and two-time World Series champion winner Chris Carpenter may have to retire due to nerve damage in his hand. The 37-year-old St. Louis Cardinal pitcher is almost certain to miss the upcoming 2013 MLB season and he may not be able to return to the mound at all. John Mozeliak, the Cardinals’ general manager, said Carpenter is still suffering from the same problem that saw him miss the majority of last season, but he hasn’t retired and will also be seeking additional medical opinions.

However, according to Mozeliak the future doesn’t look too bright for the star pitcher and feels that it’s unlikely he’ll return. Carpenter’s started his career with the Toronto Blue Jays back in 1997 and he has a career record of 144-94 along with an ERA of 3.76. He left the Blue Jays after six seasons and has spent nine more with the Cardinals. Carpenter had an excellent season in 2005 by going 21-5 with an ERA of 2.83 and that performance earned him the Cy Young Award. He almost won the honor a second time after a 17-4 season in 2009 with an ERA of 2.24, but came in second place in the voting.

Carpenter has pitched just as well in the postseason by starting 18 games for St. Louis and posting a record of 10-4 with an ERA of 3.00. He pitched in game seven of the 2011 World Series on three days’ rest against the Texas Rangers and earned the win. But even though Carpenter’s numbers have been exceptional, they could have been even better if he hadn’t suffered so many injuries to his elbow and shoulder.

Donald Driver speaks out on retirement

During the previous off-season we wondered out loud if the Green Bay Packers would do the right thing and let Donald Driver play out one final year with the team. They did and now he is saying goodbye.

Driver announced through various outlets on Thursday that he is officially retiring.

The Packers website posted quotes from Driver’s morning appearance on The Mike & Mike broadcast.

“I’m going to officially put the cleats on the shelf and walk away from the game,” Driver said. “I’m calling it a career.”

“Very difficult. It’s always difficult, especially when you feel you can still play the game,” he said. “You just let it go and say, ‘There’s other things out there, the next chapter of your career, and I’m ready for it.”

From the outside looking in, it appears that the team’s all-time leader in receptions (743) and receiving yards (10.137) is ready to simply be a dad.

Veteran safety Chris Harris retires

Bears and Jaguars fans woke up to some interesting news. Veteran safety Chris Harris has decided to retire. 

After 8 awesome yrs in the NFL I’m deciding to retire. This was one heck of a ride and I’ve been extremely blessed to have played this game
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisNFL) January 27, 2013