In some rather shocking news, Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cliff Lee is set to retire either after the 2015 or ’16 season according CSNPhilly’s Jim Salisbury.
Lee told Salisbury:
I’m getting up there in age. I’m 35 years old now and when this contract’s over I plan on going home, so I’m running out of opportunities. All I can control is what I can control, and I’m going to do everything I can to help us win. That’s all I know how to do.”
Just reading this quote just makes me sad inside because I remember when the Phillies had reacquired Cliff Lee a few seasons ago during the Christmas season it was like a gift to Philadelphia fans because he spurned the New York Yankees to come here. But it hasn’t been good though, Lee didn’t pitch well last season, he has pitched good this season but this team has been going through player movement and managerial changes.
Lee sort of puts life after baseball in perspective with this quote:
Right now, I don’t [see myself pitching beyond this contract],” Lee said. “There are a lot of things that can happen between now and then, but I just know that my kids are 12 and 10 and I’ve basically missed the first half of their lives.”
Lee speaking like a true parent and father but let’s not get it twisted folks, he still wants to win. He told Jim Salisbury that next season he wants to win a World Series and then more after that one.
If you wanted to know Lee’s salary for the 2014, 2015, and 2016 seasons, it goes like this. Lee will make $25 million in 2014 and 2015 and then in 2016 he has an option for $27.5 million which will come into play if he gets enough playing time and if he stays healthy.
As a Phillies fan speaking, I hope this team makes the playoffs because it hasn’t been the same for years without baseball in October.
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