Mussina goes out on his own terms
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Podcast on Nov 20, 2008 
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Mike Mussina took questions for about 45 minutes today. In essence, he decided last January to retire because pitching wasn’t as fun as it used to be for him.
That he had such a good season didn’t change his mind because he knew there were no guarantees he could repeat it. Knowing that this was it, he said, contributed to his success.
Mussina plans to coach his sons and enjoy his life. He didn’t rule out having some role in the game at some point but had no idea what it would be.
“I don’t have any plans,” he said. “I’ll just enjoy the free time.”
Get 10 writers in the room and you’ll get 10 different opinions. But most of the people on the call thanked Mussina for his graciousness over the years. For those who took the time to get to know him and weren’t insulted by his initial sarcasm, Mussina provided plenty of knowledge and perspective.
You also have to admire the guy for walking away from the game the way he is.
“I just wanted to go out on my own terms,” he said.
Here is the audio from Mussina’s call. It’s a long file, but for fans of the Moose I think you’ll find it well worth your time:
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Damn… I’ll miss him.
Moose just aske MF if he was still looking for a partner
How’s he gonna “enjoy his life” without baseball?
He’s gonna be climbing the walls come April.
What’s an MP3 vote?
What is that background noise? Pete are you drumming on the table?
I envision Mike riding one of his John Deeres into the sunset….
Feel free to file this with all the other garbage but I read on MLBTR (Heyman I believe) that the Yanks are one of 5 teams looking at O Hudson.
Good luck to Moose. Hope he enjoys his retirement.
Reminder for anyone interested: Yankees Hot Stove is on YES at 6:30.
What a class act. I wish there were more players like him in the game.
Johnny D: Typing. I’m a reporter, bro, Not a sound engineer. I tape calls off my speakerphone. Best I can do.
Not bad for a Stanfurd grad.
“Feel free to file this with all the other garbage but I read on MLBTR (Heyman I believe) that the Yanks are one of 5 teams looking at O Hudson.”
I think the garbage is the place for this rumor… Hudson has never played any position other than 2b in the majors. Unless Cash has MAJOR plans up his sleeve, I don’t think they’re trading Cano.
Cashman on Cano:
“He’s fixed.”
“He’s going to hit .300.”
Translation: they’re not trading Cano.
update >>>>
Moose left the idea of “unretiring” open a bit, didn’t he?
Francesa asked him about that and Moose left it open. I personally don’t know, even if he knew it from Spring Training, that this was his last season, especially with the season he just had. I mean the guy reinvented himself. It was no fluke. He found the secret of pitching, at least for him. I am sure some team will make him an offer by mid-season and he might be back.
seems the writers love him.
Pete your typing sounds like “hot for teacher”
Maybe Moose figures he is a lock for the Hall as of right now and why bother hurting his chances with an off year or 2?
Maybe the money just isn’t out there for Moose. You’d think , after that season, there would be. The Yanks prob. never made him an offer, what with the 3 Amigos out there to choose from.
If he knew that he was going to retire at the start of the year why did he wait so long after the season ended to announce it? Did he express his intentions earlier to Cashman and then waited for them to float their interest in CC, Lowe, Burnett so that his announcement wouldn’t make it look like the Yanks were desperate?
CharlesSDutton – He answered that question in the taped interview. Also, all his teammates knew, so Cashman knew also. He waited until awards were wrapped up, and things were quite. Moose is simply a class act.
mussina was good but not great over his time with the yankees. im sure he’s not gonna miss yankees fans, yankee stadium or new york one bit. and to tell you the truth, i wont miss him a bit either. enjoy your retirement.
I thought he was drumming on the table too.
Just kidding around, Pete!
(But it did sound like drumming. I do that when I’m bored, too.
)
see ya Moose… Dont let the door hit you on your losing playoff record…
Moose will be missed. I will miss him.
My random thoughts…. Moose was in a minority of signicance within baseball. A paradox of sorts. He was smart, classy, athletic, seriously competitive, articulate, a stand-up type.
I especially loved listening to him choose his words when he was included in a post-game interview. I was surprised he lied but he of all people can be excused. He could beat Pedro but was never as good. He could beat the best but was never included in the best!
He could have advised Bernie on “how to.”
I’ll miss Moose. He’s been a great example for my son as both a pitcher and a person. How does one send him a message of appreciation?
How do we get this audio file? Is it possible?
“There’s a lesson in there somewhere for players like A-Rod.”
This is another below the belt line from you just reflecting your desire to criticise A-Rod and Girardi at any cost.
A-Rod may be lot of things, but he does not distance from the media. He talks to the media even after tough losses, more than many others on the team including Jeter.