I LIKE THE WAY THE UNIT WENT OUT



Just about 10 days ago,the biggest news in baseball was that my team, the beloved St. Louis Cardinals, has signed Matt Holliday to a 7 year contract worth $120 million. But there was another happening on the same day--Randy "The Big Unit" Johnson retired at age 46.



Along with Led Zepplin's poster "Swan Song", I thought I'd address his departure. In my opinion, it was a perfect way to go out.

The Retirement Tour of ballplayers making the rounds city after city accepting accolades and mementos along the way is just too much self-aggrandisement for me. If you have to say good-bye that way, then maybe you're just a tad too important.

I like what Cardinal great Willie McGee would say,"One of these days you'll look around and I'll be gone." That's right, Willie. And I will remember you when you were at the top of your game. Not so with another Willie--Mays who was one that didn't know when to retire. A la Steve Carlton and a bevy of others.

Maybe the worst was/is Brett Favre. "I'm retiring. No, I ain't. Yes I is. No, not yet. It's final. Nope, I'm back, and with a hated team." It was in the news for months.

Randy, my man, you did it right. If we have to be told we have to remember someone with some kind of celebration, then maybe that person wasn't all that memorable to begin with.