Red Sox infielder Mike Lowell ended the suspense of whether or not he'll return for another season before this season even ended.
The 36-year-old is planning on retiring following this season, confirming what many thought would happen, according to the Boston Herald.
"I'm retiring," Lowell told the Herald. "I just don't want to make it a song and dance because I don't think that's necessary, but if someone needs something official, yeah, I'm going to retire. This is going to be my last year."
The 2007 World Series MVP has had an up-and-down season this year while battling nagging hip and rib injuries. Entering Saturday night's game in Oakland, he was hitting just .231 with four home runs and 21 RBIs.
Lowell told the paper that he's confident in his ability to still play the game, but stressed that taking a role with limited playing time wasn't worth the time he'll miss with his family.
"I can do it, but not after playing every day for 11 years and three years in the minor leagues and my whole life," he said. "I'm not willing to make that transition, not when the tradeoff is all that time with my family. It's not worth it."
