Rocco Baldelli to Retire, Join Rays Front Office

by Steve Slowinski on Jan 26, 2011 7:51 AM EST

This news from Marc Topkin's column this morning:

Baldelli, 29, is expected to officially announce his retirement as a player today, as well as his new assignment as a special adviser in the Rays' front office, working in scouting and player development.

"I don't anticipate ever playing baseball again. I'm retired. The paperwork will be filed," Baldelli said Tuesday night. "And you know what. The only time I feel like it's good to retire is when you're happy to retire. And I'm happy."

I know that many of us have emotional attachments with Rocco, considering he was one of the first patches of hope for our franchise back in the Devil Rays days. He's the reason I became a fans of the Rays: the excitement and buzz he generated drew me toward the Devil Rays, and I never looked back.

I don't think I can write about Rocco without waxing romantic, so check out Topkin's column. It has a number of quotes from Rocco, and says everything that needs to be said. It's sad that Rocco is hanging up his glove, but from the sounds of it, he's at peace with the decision and ready to move on. And at least he'll still be with the Rays.

"I don't regret anything. You know what's sad is that I love to play, and I really didn't get a chance to do it as much as I wanted to," Baldelli said.

"But I don't live angrily; I live kind of happy. Why would I look at the negative aspects of everything that I've been through and live the rest of my life talking about those things that aren't the important things to me? The important things to me were all the wonderful things I got to do."

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What?

Maddon's Mission
Make you want to kill him, then make you want to love him. Sly.

by Jonah Keri on Jun 19, 2010 10:31 PM EDT

by Doug09 on Jan 26, 2011 8:07 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Oh Rocco Raccoon, you're just being retired. Don't worry about a thing, just go back to sleep.

12-19-2010 - TAMPA, Fla.: The Detroit Lions erased some painful memories by ending the longest road losing streak in NFL history against YOUR Tampa Bay Succaneers.

Also, melanin makes people lazy.

by kericr on Jan 26, 2011 9:46 AM EST up reply actions

He's also the reason I'm a fan of the Rays

Or a major factor, along with Crawford and Huff.

GO RAYS!

by SandalsNoPants on Jan 26, 2011 8:19 AM EST reply actions

I'm sure his comeback of sorts the last two years

have made this day a bit easier to swallow

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Jan 26, 2011 8:26 AM EST reply actions

Yep

Happy for him that he didn’t leave anything on the table and can be at peace with the decision. Obviously took a lot of heart to make those repeated comeback attempts.

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Jan 26, 2011 9:16 AM EST up reply actions

Wish BJ had some of that heart.

by Suttree on Jan 26, 2011 9:40 AM EST up reply actions

I'm glad he seems to be at peace with the decision

Although it’s unfortunate that he’s a victim of his circumstances.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Jan 26, 2011 9:50 AM EST reply actions

He needs to join the broadcast booth

Have they decided who is teaming up with Dewayne this year?

by Sveet on Jan 26, 2011 9:52 AM EST reply actions

A hand puppet

WHERE'S MY BOURBON?!

by Warde on Jan 26, 2011 10:22 AM EST up reply actions

What happened to B.A.?

by Lurch's Lobbyists on Jan 26, 2011 10:32 AM EST up reply actions

Nevermind

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/brian-anderson-to-become-tampa-bay-rays-full-time-tv-analyst/1126151

by Lurch's Lobbyists on Jan 26, 2011 10:33 AM EST up reply actions

That sucks

BA is subpar.

We could do better. At least he’s better than KK, but now I have to hear him breathe into the mic nonstop

by Sveet on Jan 26, 2011 11:01 AM EST up reply actions

At least he is already very familiar with the team

KK got less terrible as time went on. Early on he knew nothing of the players.

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Jan 26, 2011 11:15 AM EST up reply actions

My rental car has Sirius/XM and I was listening to him yesterday driving around

It’s people like him that have no interest in advancing the narrative in any way that are the reason that the game is losing fans. All he does is “go from the gut” and rely on tired cliches. I have no interest in ever hearing him talk again.

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 26, 2011 11:24 AM EST up reply actions

Bye Rocco, please don't get in the way of those that are smarter than you.

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Jan 26, 2011 10:05 AM EST reply actions

He won't

Unless you mean Zim, because they’ll probably share the same office.

by Blot on Jan 27, 2011 10:18 AM EST up reply actions

If he had a Tiger Mother he would not have just up and quit like this.

Lazy American

Topper rarely shows his ignorance, but today is a golden day

Hell yeah it is.

by DeadeyeRR on Jan 26, 2011 10:40 AM EST reply actions

<3

Sign lady must die.
Follow me on Twitter @Josh_Frank

by EminenceFront on Jan 26, 2011 11:38 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

.

“But I don’t live angrily; I live kind of happy. Why would I look at the negative aspects of everything that I’ve been through and live the rest of my life talking about those things that aren’t the important things to me? The important things to me were all the wonderful things I got to do.”

Wow, what I would give to have an attitude like that. Truly first class.

by mises on Jan 26, 2011 1:38 PM EST reply actions

Rocco will always be a favorite Ray of mine

I saw him in an IHOP once. It was awesome.

by Blot on Jan 26, 2011 7:16 PM EST reply actions

Respect to Rocco.

by vincesucks on Jan 27, 2011 10:02 AM EST reply actions

I worked for two years at hotel on St. Pete Beach (think pink) and Rocco’s family stayed there for what seemed like months at a time. His dad would come down to the front desk and shoot the shit, not just about the Rays or baseball but just ‘stuff’, and each time it was just a breath of fresh air. All of you that have worked in the hospitality industry know what its like to have to constantly deal with assholes, and Rocco’s pops wasn’t like that. None of this family were like that.

On the few occasions when Rocco did show up with his dad or little brother at the front desk, he was the same way; affable, friendly and just an all around nice guy.

The comments in Tompkin’s article don’t surprise me because of those times at the front desk. Rocco, and his family, are “good people” as the saying goes.

Much respect to Rocco, and I’m happy he’s staying with the organization.

I've always considered writing the most hateful kind of work ... I suspect its a bit like fucking, which is only fun for amateurs. -Hunter Thompson

by RockyRippleColtsFan on Jan 28, 2011 11:44 AM EST reply actions