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« Rangers, Hamilton Planning Extension Talks | Main | Adam LaRoche: A Pirate For Life? »
Borowski Hangs Up The Spikes
Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that 38-year-old reliever Joe Borowski has decided to retire from baseball.
"I guess 38, 87 and 88 wasn't looking good in people's eyes," said the former Indians closer, referring to his age and fastball velocity, respectively. Borowski was a free agent this winter, but only drew mild interest from the Tigers and Phillies before talks ultimately flat-lined.
He pitched 12 big league seasons, making stops with Baltimore, Atlanta, the Yankees, Cubs, Tampa Bay, Florida and Cleveland along the way. He finishes with a 4.18 career ERA and 131 saves, leaving him 80th on the all-time list.
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I always liked him because he's a Jersey guy, he had a decent career, I hope he enjoys his retirement.
Posted by: MattinglyFan | February 24, 2009 at 08:20 PM
Congrats on a great career, Joe. Hope retirement treats you well.
Posted by: GScott | February 24, 2009 at 08:20 PM
'Bout time. 'Nough said.
Posted by: thekingjp | February 24, 2009 at 08:27 PM
Talk about an over-achiever. All guts and guile No stuff.
Posted by: MickS | February 24, 2009 at 08:36 PM
Nice guy. Solid career.
Posted by: metzfan22 | February 24, 2009 at 08:37 PM
the cards should have given him a minor league deal to compete for the closers role.
Posted by: Leland11 | February 24, 2009 at 08:43 PM
Easy to forget how flat out dominating this guy was in 2002-2003. Enjoy retirement, heck of a career.
Posted by: CubbyFan23 | February 24, 2009 at 08:44 PM
He had a nice career.
Posted by: PWHjort | February 24, 2009 at 08:45 PM
He's an example of a pitcher who squeezed every ounce of performance out of unspectacular stuff and talent. I wouldn't be ashamed of a career like his. Good luck, Joe.
Posted by: FineHamAbounds | February 24, 2009 at 09:02 PM
Saw him pitch the only time I've been to Wrigley. June, 2003 Prior struck out 15 in 8. Sammy hit one out and Borowski gave up a three-run bomb in the 9th to a guy who grew up 35 miles from me. I guess I got the full Cubs fan experience.
Posted by: WillieMaysField | February 24, 2009 at 09:22 PM
Goodbye to the most underwhelming closer of all time. So ends a bafflingly successful career.
Posted by: mojowo11 | February 24, 2009 at 09:41 PM
I don't imagine 7.56 in 16.2 looked good in peoples eyes either. It was time.
Posted by: Calriver | February 24, 2009 at 09:42 PM
I never realized he was this old...
he deserves congratulations on a well done career. Its not easy being a closer in the majors (unless you are never used in the eighth and consistently have two and three run leads to protect like *cough*K-Rod*cough*)
Posted by: Dashboard | February 24, 2009 at 10:04 PM
I think the 38 actually was the first fastball. JoeBo gave the Tribe a hell of a year, had me on the edge of my seat all year, wish him the best.
Posted by: Furrski | February 24, 2009 at 10:35 PM
Good luck Joe,
2007 was an exciting year in Cleveland and you were a big part of it. You had us on the edge of our seat every game you closed, but in the end you had us believing in you.
Posted by: James Bertsch | February 25, 2009 at 12:03 AM
I grew up across the street from Joe. Great guy. Great father. Great ball player. Gave it his all everytime he laced up the spikes. Your son will be very proud of you when he grows up Joe. Good luck.
Posted by: BayonneBees89 | February 25, 2009 at 01:16 AM
Who??
Posted by: la16 | February 25, 2009 at 02:36 AM
I wonder if he got any minor-league offers in the offseason. I know Boston had an offer to him in July/August of last year as they were stockpiling depth.
I suppose at his age he didn't want to fight to get a job. At least he can say he got a chance to be the closer.
Posted by: Gstill45 | February 25, 2009 at 07:21 AM
I love seeing all the respect Borowski is getting.
Probably because he managed to be a good closer for a few years without having the overwhelming power stuff of traditional closers.
He was good when he popped up on the Cubs, enjoy the early retirement.
Posted by: scribbletone | February 25, 2009 at 08:17 AM
I saw Borowski give up Derek Jeter's first career grand slam at Yankee Stadium in a Cubs/Yankees interleague game.
Posted by: winning baseball | February 25, 2009 at 06:30 PM