Mike Cameron indicated that 2011 could be his last season in the Majors, reports Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post. Cameron, who would be 39 on Opening Day 2012, has missed the Marlins' last few games due to a hamstring strain and noted that this latest injury is just one of many that are weighing on his mind.
“I may be too young to quit, but my body’s telling me different. My body’s 45,” Cameron said. “[Retirement is] a small window that’s wide open…I’m not going to make a decision now because there are too many variables much more than how I feel.”
Capozzi noted that Cameron's comments could have been borne of frustration with his injury, but Cameron has struggled this season. The outfielder has a combined .203/.286/.360 line in 268 plate appearances with Florida and Boston this season. Cameron joined the Fish in July after being designated for assignment and dealt by the Red Sox.
Cameron has played for eight teams over his 17 seasons in the big leagues. At his peak, Cameron brought a strong blend of speed (297 career steals), defense (three Gold Gloves ) and power (eight seasons with 20+ homers, plus a four-homer game on May 2, 2002) to the table. He enjoyed a 24-homer season as recently as 2009 as a member of the Brewers.
I’ll always remember Cameron, and even though it will be sad to see him go, it probably is time to call it a career. He was one of my favorites as a kid when he played for the M’s, and his four home run game blew my mind way back in the day.
Mentally, Mike retired two years ago. But no one knew it, not even Theo Epstein.
Well at least he’ll make the top 10 all time strikeout list. He just passed Mike Schmidt, minus like the 250 HRS. He’s getting up to the real greats.
10th in WAR for outfielders for the period 1997 – 2010. Not too bad. It’s always about ‘what have you done for me lately’ around here, and not appreciating a player’s body of work. Cameron was a very good player for a long time, not to mention *entertaining*.
I think Mike Schmidt was a little more entertaining. Not to mention a Hall of Famer.