Rocco Baldelli told Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times that he will retire as a major league player. The former sixth overall pick will remain in the Rays front office as a special adviser in scouting and player development, the team has confirmed with a press release.
After a promising debut in which Baldelli played center field, stole 27 bases and added 51 extra base hits, the injuries started piling up. He missed the entire 2005 season and considerable chunks of the 2006-10 seasons as he dealt with foot, hamstring, and hip injuries, plus a type of channelopathy, which has caused muscle fatigue.
"It's tough, because you almost never put playing and being an athlete behind you," Baldelli told Topkin. "But in my mind, I already feel like it's a step behind me."
Baldelli, who is still just 29, decided to retire in October and spent a few months making sure he was ready to call it a career.
sad…he could have been a pretty special player if it weren’t for his health conditions
Most guys would have just given up a lot sooner. Gotta give a lot of respect to Baldelli for sticking with it and pushing himself as long as he did.
Crawford. Hamilton. Baldelli.
True Devil Ray fans will never forget the hype surrounded by these three. 🙁
Wish you all the best, Rocco
It’s sad when someone so young, with a great attitude and love for the game, can’t reach their potential.
It seems unfair Baldelli has to retire, but punks like Milton Bradley keep lingering around.
file it under “life is unfair, why am I broke and Paris Hilton is loaded”
lol, but sadly that is reality
Good point
This is heartbreaking news and a damn shame. Baldelli was the guy who had all the tools you look for in a player that you build a team around. He is a wonderful person, I remember he took the time (during bp) at the Trop and signed a ball for me and he was giving me a hard time (playfuly) about me being a Yanks fan (had all my Yanks gear on). I’m just glad he can still be involved in MLB in any capacity.
That’s too bad. I thought he was a great player.
Should have done it a while ago, but these guys just can’t hang em up.
It’s a shame that tools like you post on here. These guys? You mean guys that have a muscle illness and can’t always be at full strength but could probably do more then you ever could?
He deserves a big kick in the nads!!
I agree with everyone (except Kickme) that it’s a shame someone so talented has to retire so young because of illness. It happens all the time to other people I know and people that aren’t as set up as him, but it still sucks rocks.
Good luck Rocco.
Man that is so too bad that injuries got in the way of such a promising young career. I was really excited to see him in Boston when he played there in 09. He was a classy guy. I think its great that he can stay with the organization in some capacity.
Rocco Baldelli…..Rhode Island Italian-American Hall of Fame.
Poor guy… it’s a shame his career had to end this way. Good luck in the future, Rocco.
Rocco was great when healthy!!!
I remember when he had the nickname, rocco balldimaggio. I wish you good health and happiness rocco!
Sad wasn’t he really young?
Really depressing. While it never ended up mattering, I’ll never forget how Rocco tied game 5 against the Phillies with a homerun that he just muscled through the swirling winds when seemingly no one else could. Really sums up Baldelli very well. He did things everyone else told him he wasn’t supposed to be able to do. Farewell, Rocco, and I hope you do great things in your new position with the team.