CINCINNATI - Barry Larkin's stellar 19-year career with his hometown team ended Tuesday with a one-sided phone call.
The Reds informed their captain they aren't interested in keeping him around for another season. Instead, they will replace the shortstop, 40, with two unproven youngsters.
Larkin was at his home in Orlando when general manager Dan O'Brien and manager Dave Miley, a former teammate, called with the decision.
"It wasn't pleasant," Larkin said. "But it is what it is. It's definitely disappointing. I have decisions to make."
Larkin's 19 seasons with one team was the longest current streak in the majors. He had hoped for a 20th and was willing to discuss returning in a utility role, but the Reds ruled it out.
"You hate to say goodbye to the great players, but the process of the game is ultimately, all great careers do eventually end," O'Brien said.
Larkin isn't sure whether his career is over. He hasn't decided whether to try to play one more season with another team, ending his career in a different uniform.
"I have to see what opportunities present themselves, if there's anything that makes sense," he said.
Larkin grew up in Cincinnati and spent his entire career with the Reds, developing into one of the most prominent players in their illustrious history. He helped the team win a World Series in 1990, the first of three seasons under current Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella, and won the NL MVP in 1995, the last time the Reds made the playoffs.
He also was a steadying influence in the clubhouse during the 1990s, when former owner Marge Schott put the franchise in the national spotlight for her inflammatory comments.
Injuries have limited him in recent years, and he decided to make the 2004 season his last. But after he hit .289 and made the All-Star team, he reconsidered and asked for one more contract.
Larkin said he was willing to discuss a role as a backup infielder with the Reds in which he would work to develop the young shortstops. He then hoped to move into the front office in some capacity.
After several days of meetings involving the team's front office, scouts and coaches, the Reds decided to rely on Felipe Lopez and Anderson Machado at shortstop.
BONDS HAS SURGERY: Giants slugger Barry Bonds had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and is expected to be at full strength by spring training.
The likely NL MVP had a 20-minute arthritis cleanup procedure performed by San Jose Sharks team physician Art Ting at the Fremont Surgery Center in San Francisco.
Bonds, 40, told the team he first felt pain Oct. 4, the day after the season ended.
Also, Bonds' 700th home run ball is expected to go on sale Monday. It will be placed on an auction site at Overstock.com through Oct. 27, with bids beginning at $1, said Daniel Horowitz, the attorney for Steve Williams, who ended up with the historic blast at SBC Park.
BRAVES: Shortstop Rafael Furcal turned himself in to the Cobb County (Ga.) Jail to serve a 21-day sentence on a probation violation. Furcal was arrested Sept. 10 in Atlanta on a charge of driving under the influence, his second DUI arrest in four years.
BREWERS: Right-hander Ben Sheets had surgery to repair a herniated disc in his lower back and is expected to be ready for spring training. The staff ace had a breakout season with a 2.70 ERA and a team-record 264 strikeouts in 237 innings.
INDIANS: As expected, the team declined to pick up shortstop Omar Vizquel's $5-million contract option for next season, making him eligible to become a free agent when the World Series ends.
