Baseball

Let go by Reds, Larkin heads upstairs

By wire services
Published February 14, 2005

Shortstop Barry Larkin, a 12-time All-Star who spent his entire 19-year career with the Reds, retired and joined the Washington Nationals in their front office as a special assistant.

"I just felt it was time," Larkin said Sunday from his Orlando home. "I had some opportunities with other teams to play, but I didn't feel that I could make the commitment as a player with another team."

The Reds, his hometown team, rejected his overtures to return for a 20th season, deciding to turn the position over to younger players.

"While his tasks and challenges will be different than he experienced as a player, Barry's presence coupled with an eagerness to be involved in all facets of our operations will undoubtedly yield positive results for both Barry and the Nationals," general manager Jim Bowden said in a statement Sunday.

Larkin, 40, said he had been interested in working in a front office and perhaps eventually managing. His new position, he said, would give him valuable experience.

Larkin should be a Hall of Fame candidate, with numbers roughly comparably, in the context of their eras, to Hall shortstop Joe Cronin's. Over 2,180 games, Larkin hit .295 with a .371 on-base percentage and .444 slugging percentage and had 441 doubles, 76 triples, 198 home runs, 960 RBIs, 939 walks and 379 stolen bases.

The Cincinnati native helped his Reds win the World Series in 1990 and was National League MVP in 1995 and a three-time Gold Glove winner.

The Nationals also acquired outfielder Alex Escobar from the White Sox for minor-league outfielder Jerry Owens.

BREWERS: All-Star right-hander Ben Sheets avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $6-million contract. Sheets, 26, had a 2.70 ERA, a franchise-record 264 strikeouts and 32 walks in 237 innings in 2004, all career bests.

YANKEES: Bernie Williams says he's far from retirement and confident he's ready for a strong season. The centerfielder, 36, discussed the season during a weekend visit to Venezuela that included a clinic for young players. "I'm going to play as long as my physical abilities allow me to. I still feel very good physically," Williams said.

[Last modified February 14, 2005, 01:20:17]