Expert: Tom Schott - 5/9/2011

Question
I once saw on the MLB network a short blurb about a player (a pitcher I think) who in the middle of the season and without warning called a press conference after the game and retired. In the press conference he roughly said that he told himself if the day ever came when he could not perform as well as he wanted, he would retire. And that day was today. (Even though he was still in his prime.) I've been trying to find out who this player was, but can't find any information. I think he was playing for the Phillie's but I'm really not certain. The timeframe was 80s-90s. I hope this is not too vague. As I said, I saw the blurb on the MLB network, likely on Prime 9 but it could have been another show.

Answer
CJ,

I was not able to answer this question myself, but I have lots of knowledgeable baseball friends. Here's your answer from one of these friends:

" . . . that sounds a lot like Dave McNally's sudden retirement from the Montreal Expos in 1975. McNally, obtained by the Expos from Baltimore in a trade for Ken Singleton and Mke Torrez, was 32 years old, had won 16 games and started a Championship Series game for Baltimore in 1974. He was supposed to be the 'pitching glue' that held together a Montreal youth movement. He won his first 3 decisions (in 4 starts) as an Expo, then proceeded to lose 6 in a row. He quit after losing to the San Diego Padres, went back to Billings, and pretty much stayed there until his premature death in 2002. He lent his name to the Messersmith suit that ended the reserve clause, but apparently had no interest in playing again."