Rocco Baldelli To Announce Retirement At Age 29

Marc Topkin is reporting that Rocco Baldelli will announce his retirement later today. Rocco is also expected to accept a position as a “special advisor” for the Rays 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.” Baldelli, the 6th overall pick in the 200 draft, played parts of five seasons for the Rays. But after playing in 292 games in 2003 and 2004, he would only play 165 more games with the Rays, with his final appearance coming in game 1 of this past season’s ALDS. In that game, he went 0-3 with 2 strikeouts. His final at bat as a big leaguer was a pop up to shortstop. The Woonsocket Rocket finished his career with a .278 average, 60 home runs and 60 stolen bases. Thank you R...