Report: Mussina to hang up spikes after first 20-win season

Sports Network | November 19, 2008

Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - New York Yankees right-hander Mike Mussina is reportedly retiring after 18 seasons in the major leagues.

According to a report on foxsports.com, Mussina has decided to call it a career and will officially announce his retirement later this week.

Mussina, coming off the first 20-win campaign of his illustrious career, was awarded his seventh Gold Glove this past season.

His 2,813 career strikeouts rank sixth among active pitchers and 19th on the all-time list. The first-round pick of the Orioles in 1990 would finish his career with a 270-153 record and a 3.68 ERA. Mussina has pitched his whole career in the American League East -- the last eight seasons with the Yanks and the first 10 of his career with the Baltimore Orioles.

Mussina, who turns 40 on December 8, has cited a desire to spend more time with his family in Montoursville, PA, as the main reason for leaving the game behind him, according to the published report.

This past season, Mussina went 20-9 with a 3.37 ERA in 34 starts.