Brian Roberts, 2013 Topps #515

My closing thoughts on the Orioles' division-winning 2014 season will have to wait another day. While Janet and I were visiting her family in Charlotte last weekend, a former Oriole with North Carolina ties officially called it quits. Durham native Brian Roberts announced his retirement in an interview with Fox Sports Radio, saying that two "very good teams" showed interest in him following his midseason release from the Yankees, but that he declined. He realized that he wasn't able to play at the level he'd previously been accustomed to, and didn't wish to keep dragging along.

Here in Baltimore, we already said our goodbyes when the O's decided not to re-sign Roberts after last season, leading to his short-lived stint in the Bronx. The second baseman concluded his 14-year career with a batting line of .276/.347/.409, with a perfectly adequate 101 OPS+. He totaled 367 doubles, 97 homers, 542 RBI, and 285 steals in 358 tries. He was an All-Star in 2005 and 2007, and led the American League in doubles twice, including a career-high and franchise-record 56 two-baggers in 2008. He also went 50-for-57 in stolen bases in 2007 to top the junior circuit.

I'm glad that Brian was healthy enough this season to play 91 games, but I'm sorry that his career ended so soon, and that he wasn't able to participate in the postseason with the Orioles. He deserved it after everything he did in Baltimore, but baseball isn't always about who deserves what.