Wednesday, August 12, 2009 |
Troy Percival All But Announces His Retirement
Troy Percival paid a visit to the Rays' clubhouse on Tuesday and all but announced his retirement.When asked if he was done, the veteran closer said: "I would venture to say that unless something miraculous happens. There's no need going out when you can't throw more than once in four days."
After going on the 60-day disabled list with right-shoulder tendinitis on May 22, Percival returned to his home in the Anaheim area and rested for three weeks before starting to pay regular visits to a chiropractor and a muscle therapist. He did not throw a ball other than playing catch with his kids.
Eventually he received a call from Andrew Friedman, Rays executive vice president of baseball operations, who told him the Rays could use him. At that point, Percival tried to ramp up his game again to see if anything was left.
"I threw six bullpens over three weeks," Percival said. "Friday, Sunday, Friday, Sunday, Friday, Sunday, and every Sunday was just awful. I could throw OK on Friday, but the Sunday one was awful. It's just not going to work."
Labels: ex-angels, rays, retirements
Sunday August 9th, 2009 marked Troy Percival's 40th birthday. Coincidentally Percival recorded 40 saves at games I went to (39 for the Angels and one for the Tigers). The last save I saw Percival get was on May 7th, 2005. Along the way Percival had two blown saves in games I attended. They were in an 08/03/02 win over the Yankees in which Percy gave up a 3-run home run to Bernie Williams in the 8th inning and an 05/22/03 loss to the Orioles that Troy surrendered a grand slam to Brian Roberts in the 9th inning. Tim Salmon saved Percival's bacon in the Yankee game with a game-winning lead-off home run in the bottom of the 8th inning. Percival's won-loss record was 1-1 in these blown save games. Combined with his 40 saves Percival's teams were 41-1 in games he had a save opportunity (40-1 with the Angels and 1-0 with the Tigers). That is a cool .976 winning percentage. Well done Percy! May your retirement last way longer than 40 years!
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