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Russ Springer calls it a career at age 42

Russ Springer

Cincinnati Reds reliever Russ Springer pitches in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2010. The Reds won 9-4. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

AP

From Bob Tompkins of the Alexandria Daily Town Talk (via MLB Trade Rumors) comes word that veteran reliever Russ Springer has decided to hang up his cleats for good.

The 42-year-old native of Alexandria, Louisiana broke into the majors back in 1992 as a reliever for the Yankees. He played for 10 different teams throughout his 18-season MLB career and will finish with a 4.52 career ERA and 1.37 WHIP.

Springer was at his best while with the Cardinals, posting a 2.18 ERA over 76 relief appearances in 2007 and a 2.32 across 70 relief appearances in 2008. He made only two appearances last season for the Reds before season-ending hip surgery forced him to the 60-day disabled list in August.

“For the first time in my career, it feels right,” Spring told the Daily Town Talk. “This year, I’ve had no pull towards going to the gym. I’m totally content to be with the family. There comes a time when you can ask only so much of your body physically, and you’ve got to stop beating it up.”

It sure sounds like he is at peace with the decision. Which is good, because the free agent market for him was not pretty and he would have probably had to settle for a minor league contract and spring training invite.