Nov 20, 2008 1:03 pm US/Eastern
It's Official: Moose Announces Retirement
Yankees Right-Hander Became Oldest To Win 20 Games For First Time
NEW YORK (CBS/AP) ―
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Mike Mussina waves to the crowd after being taken out of the game in the seventh inning against the Chicago White Sox on Sept. 18, 2008, at Yankee Stadium.
Chris McGrath/Getty Images
New York Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina announced his retirement Thursday, as speculated. The right-hander affectionately known by fans as "Moose" becomes the first pitcher to call it quits following a 20-win season since Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax in 1966.
Mussina turns 40 next month.
He was 270-153 with a 3.68 ERA in 18 seasons in the majors. The first 10 seasons were with Baltimore followed by eight in New York.
"He had led me to believe that that's what was going to happen at the end of the year. I wasn't quite sure in a sense that I believed him because sometimes when you get away from it you really miss it," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Wednesday evening at a Manhattan charity event to benefit his Catch 25 Foundation and Alzheimer's research.
Only 30 wins shy of 300, Mussina was 20-9 with a 3.37 ERA for the Yankees this season -- becoming the oldest pitcher in big league history to win 20 games for the first time. The right-hander tossed 200 1-3 innings in 34 starts, rebounding impressively from a disappointing 2007 season that included a career-worst 5.15 ERA.
He won his seventh Gold Glove and finished tied for sixth in AL Cy Young Award balloting.
"I know he talked about wanting to be home more. And if he does, I won't be surprised," Girardi said. "But if he comes back, I won't be surprised, either. And I wouldn't necessarily be surprised if that's what he said, (then) changes his mind in January. Because you know it's something that's been such a huge part of his life and his family life, that you miss it.
"I know Brian, as far as I know as of today, had not made him an offer," Girardi added. "But we were just kind of waiting to see what he said, and he was on our radar screen as well as many other starting pitchers that are free agents."
After missing the playoffs for the first time since 1993, New York is pursuing several big-name starters on the free-agent market, including CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett.
Notes: Yankees 2B Robinson Cano said he'll spend a month playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic to prepare for next season, starting Friday. He also said he plans to represent the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.
Please stay with CBS 2 HD and wcbstv.com for more on this developing story.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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