On April 2, 2007, Troy Percival throws out the first pitch for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim prior to their opening day game against the Rangers. Percival, who pitched for the Angels from 1995-2004 and was one the mound when the team won the 2002 World Series, had signed a minor league contract earlier in the day to allow him to retire as a member of the organization.
On November 17, 2006, Dodgers’ third baseman Bill Mueller retires after 11 seasons. A severe injury to Mueller’s right knee prompted his retirement. Mueller accepts a job as assistant to the Dodgers’ General Manager.
2005 – First baseman Andres Galarraga announces his retirement. A five-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner in a 19-year major league career, Galarraga was a .288 hitter with 399 home runs and 1425 RBI in 2,257 games played.
After 19 years at shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds, Barry Larkin announces his retirement as an active player, to become special assistant to Washington Nationals general manager Jim Bowden. A 12-time All-Star, National League MVP, and three-time Gold Glove winner, Larkin spent his entire career in Cincinnati, his hometown.
38 home runs shy of the exclusive 500 home run club, Jose Canseco retires at 37 age due to injuries sustained in recent years. The former American League MVP, who was cut by the Expos during spring training, had his best years in Oakland, forming with Mark McGwire one of the most feared one-two punches of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
After 20 seasons in San Diego, Padre outfielder Tony Gwynn announces he’ll retire at the end of the season. The future Hall of Famer has the highest lifetime batting average (.338) among all active players.
Pitcher Dwight Gooden announces his retirement. A four-time All-Star and Cy Young Award winner, Gooden posted a 194-112 record with a 3.51 ERA and 2293 strikeouts over a 16-season career.
After a 15-year big league career, All-Star first baseman Will Clark announces his retirement. Clark ended his playing days with the Mark McGwire-less St. Louis Cardinals, giving St. Louis much-needed offense (.345, 12 home runs and 42 RBI) in a two-month span after being obtained from the Baltimore Orioles.
Dodgers P Orel Hershiser announces his retirement.
All-Star outfielder Tim Raines announces his retirement after 21 major league seasons. But he will return in 2001 to play two more seasons.