BALDELLI ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT; ACCEPTS POSITION WITH RAYS

For Immediate Release January 26, 2011    courtesy of the Tampa Bay Rays

ST. PETERSBURG, FL– Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Rocco Baldelli today announced that he has retired from playing Major League Baseball, ending a career that spanned seven seasons, all but one with the Rays. Baldelli, 29, has accepted the position of special assistant to baseball operations with the Rays where he will be involved in scouting and player development. “From the day he signed here in 2000, Rocco has earned the respect and admiration of both his peers and our fans,” said Rays Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman. “Though his playing career has ended, he will continue to make a tremendous impact on the Rays organization. His feel and passion for the game are outstanding, and we’re thrilled to have him in this role.” In 519 major league games, Baldelli batted .278 with 60 home runs and 262 RBI. He hit a career-high 16 home runs in 2004 and again in 2006. His .444 slugging percentage is tied with Carl Crawford for seventh-highest in club history and his .280 average is eighth. His 35 assists are fourth all time among Rays outfielders.  A first-round draft pick of the Rays in 2000, Baldelli finished third in the 2003 American League Rookie of the Year balloting after batting .289 with 89 runs and 27 steals, all current