Casey Blake is Retiring

Casey Blake prior to game against the Reds Friday, June 3,2011. © Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers 2011

"The Beard" is hanging it up.  He told the Des Moines Register that he will retire from the game. 

Blake told the Des Moines Register that he has been leaning toward retiring, but stopped short of a decision until now.

“My wife (Abbie) has been telling people I’m retired, but I’ve kind of been giving her a look... But I think I knew in my heart that I am (retiring), but I just haven’t announced it.”

Casey Blake was able to provide the kind of quiet leadership a young Dodger team required.  He was grounded and down to earth, while leading the team to a first place finish in the NL West Division in 2009.  That year he batted .280 with 18 home runs and had a fielding percentage (.973) at thirdbase that is the best in all-time Dodgers history.  As a side note, we had to give up one of our best prospects, Carlos Santana, to pry him from the Indians, and as Santana's bat continues to shine there are those who will never forget that.  Nevertheless, I find it best to just ponder the power of "The Beard" instead of fretting about what could have been. 

Casey Blake, good luck to you on your future endeavors. 

(Hat Tip: MLB Trade Rumors)