Benes retires

[gyb13]

Andy Benes is hangin' 'em up

Benes reportedly told Cards he was retiring
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ESPN.com news services

ST. LOUIS -- It appears Andy Benes' playing days are over.

The Cardinals pitcher notified teammated, general manager Walt Jocketty and manager Tony La Russa of his decision to retire late Tuesday night, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

Benes cited ineffectiveness stemming at least partly from an arthritic right knee. The Card probably will put Benes on the disabled list Thursday as a procedural move, The Post-Dispatch reported. He expects to be examined by team orthopedist Dr. George Paletta no later than Monday to confirm that his chronic knee condition has rendered him unable to perform.

Benes has lasted a total of 10 innings in three starts this season and has a 10.80 ERA. He lasted three innings in a 14-5 loss at Arizona on Monday, giving up 10 runs -- three earned -- and was seen saying goodbyes to teammates and former teammates with the Diamondbacks before Wednesday's game in Arizona.

After the game, won by St. Louis 8-4, Benes' locker was empty. Team spokesman Brian Bartow said Benes would not accompany the team to its next stop in Milwaukee.

He said Benes' wife was flying from St. Louis to spend a few days with her husband in the Phoenix area.

"I think he's leaning in the direction of calling it a career," Bartow said.

Benes, who has a 150-137 career record, played for Arizona in 1997 and '98. His best year was in 1996, when he was 18-10 for the Cardinals' NL Central championship team.

Benes, 34, was 7-7 with a 7.38 ERA last year, struggling with an injured right knee. He didn't start after Aug. 3, didn't pitch after Aug. 30 last season and was left off the postseason roster.

Jocketty said Benes would go on the 15-day disabled list on Thursday to give doctors a chance to see if there is anything they can do to help return him to pitching form.

Manager Tony La Russa he and he and Benes had talked about his options.

"I'm sure he's talked to the ownership, our pitching coach and he's talked to his teammates. He's just not 100 percent," La Russa said. "I think physically he's just not himself. ... This is a tough league to pitch and play in when you're not 100 percent."

In spring training, Benes appeared to be making a comeback, posting a 2.35 ERA.

He's due to make about $6.8 million in the final year of a three-year $18 million contract, and the team owes him about $10 million. Over the three years, he's 19-18.

[KCBOOMER]

Well, a thirteen year career with 150 wins is not bad at all.

[Slippery Pedro]

He logged a lot of innings for a guy who was an average pitcher:

CAREER
1989-2001

INNINGS PITCHED > 2000

RSAA                           RSAA      IP     
1    Greg Maddux                 518   3115     
2    Roger Clemens               456   2855.1   
3    Randy Johnson               391   2722     
4    Kevin Brown                 286   2747.2   
5    Tom Glavine                 278   2874.1   
6    Mike Mussina                264   2238     
7    Kevin Appier                234   2290.2   
8    Curt Schilling              225   2143.2   
9    David Cone                  213   2527     
10   John Smoltz                 211   2409     
11   Chuck Finley                209   2675     
12   David Wells                 115   2313.1   
13   Kenny Rogers                 62   2049     
14   Darryl Kile                  47   2080.1   
15   Andy Benes                   20   2408     
16   Todd Stottlemyre             19   2073     
17   Scott Erickson               15   2106     
18   Kevin Tapani                  2   2265     
T19  Tim Belcher                  -1   2228.2   
T19  Doug Drabek                  -1   2007.2   
21   John Burkett                 -8   2287.1   
22   Terry Mulholland            -51   2111.1   
23   Jaime Navarro              -107   2055     

[SmedIndy]

Wow. Who the heck let Jamie Navarro pitch so much??

Benes was always supposed to be better than he actually was.

[poorme]

Originally posted by SmedIndy
Wow. Who the heck let Jamie Navarro pitch so much??

Benes was always supposed to be better than he actually was.

Brewers, Cubs, and White Sox. Seriously Navarro had some success and was never hurt and he threw 94, so he kept getting chances.

It's funny Benes is retiring and we're discussing when the Cubs should bring up Prior. Wasn't Benes nearly as heralded as Prior?

[pathogan]

Originally posted by SmedIndy
Wow. Who the heck let Jamie Navarro pitch so much??

Benes was always supposed to be better than he actually was.

I remember when he came up, he had such viscious stuff, i thought he would have a great career...stilll 150 wins is not a bad job, plus they owe him some dough...

[SmedIndy]

Originally posted by poorme


Brewers, Cubs, and White Sox. Seriously Navarro had some success and was never hurt and he threw 94, so he kept getting chances.

It's funny Benes is retiring and we're discussing when the Cubs should bring up Prior. Wasn't Benes nearly as heralded as Prior?

Errr..that was rhetorical. You don't have to lecture me about the heinous pitching of Navarro. If you want, you can sit on my knee while I tell you tales of Steve Arlin and Floyd Bannister.

Benes was supposed to be all that Prior was. One of the best college pitchers ever, and ready to step in immediately. People forget to follow the script.

[BuzzBuzzard]

Originally posted by KCBOOMER
Well, a thirteen year career with 150 wins is not bad at all.

If his name was Glavine, we'd be saying he should get into the HoF. Sorry, I am feeling overly cynical this morning.

[Slippery Pedro]

Few pitchers his size pitched as much as he did:

INNINGS PITCHED > 2000
HEIGHT > 77
WEIGHT > 230

RSAA                           RSAA      IP       HT       WT     
1    Fred Toney                   76   2206     6'6"        245   
2    Andy Benes                   20   2408     6'6"        235   

Something for scouts to maybe consider?

[poorme]

Originally posted by SmedIndy



Errr..that was rhetorical. You don't have to lecture me about the heinous pitching of Navarro. If you want, you can sit on my knee while I tell you tales of Steve Arlin and Floyd Bannister.

I guess the written word doesn't convey the joking manner I intended. I know all about Bannister, but I'd much rather sit on your lap and listen to Steve Arlin stories than listen to a Bosox fan moan about the Yankees.

[SmedIndy]

Originally posted by poorme


I guess the written word doesn't convey the joking manner I intended. I know all about Bannister, but I'd much rather sit on your lap and listen to Steve Arlin stories than listen to a Bosox fan moan about the Yankees.

Sorry, when I see the word "success" and "Jamie Navarro" near each other, I think I need to drag someone into the re-education clinic!

[gyb13]

Originally posted by BuzzBuzzard
If his name was Glavine, we'd be saying he should get into the HoF. Sorry, I am feeling overly cynical this morning.

This morning???

Based on the hype surrounding his arrival, would one call Benes' career successful?

[Craig S.]

He may not have lived up to the hype, but he was a solid guy for several years, and any staff would have welcomed him.

There's no doubt, though, that it was time for him to retire. I'm only glad that he had enough self-awareness to make the decision. I think that hanging on is always harder than walking away. He seemed like a class act, and it's nice to see him handle the ending in a similar manner.