May 28, 2008 Bret Boone is calling it a career. The 39-year-old infielder attempted a comeback with the Nationals this season. "I had no idea how hard it is when you get to be a certain age," Boone informs ESPN.com. "My whole life, when the older guys would tell me, I would laugh at them -- like, 'That would never happen to me.' Now I know what 39-year-old middle infielders feel like playing every day. Wow -- it's very hard." Boone initially retired in 2006.
Our View:Admit it, you didn't even know he was still playing, did you? Bret will probably stick around the D.C. area, as brother Aaron and father Bob are with the Nationals organization.
February 24, 2008 The Nationals promoted Bret Boone to their major league camp on Saturday, according to the Washington Post. "We didn't think he'd be this far advanced" in his conditioning and baseball skills, said GM Jim Bowden. "And certainly, he can compete with the players in this camp. . . . We have a small window to make a decision here, so it's more valuable to have our asset here than it is to wait and stall his progress." The Nats inked him to a minor league deal on Monday, and he said he has no intention of switching positions or playing in the minors, so the pressure is on for Boone to perform well quickly.
February 18, 2008 The Washington Nationals signed second baseman Bret Boone to a Minor League contract on Monday, according to MLB.com. Boone announced his retirement in March of 2006. His last season in the league was split between Seattle and Minnesota, batting .231 with seven homers and 34 RBI in 74 games.
March 1, 2006 Bret Boone announced his retirement on Wednesday, according to the AP. "Something I've loved my whole life has become a major, major job for me," Boone said. "I don't think it would be fair for me - or fair to the Mets - to continue something I've loved my whole life and had so much passion for, and all of a sudden that passion isn't there anymore." Boone split last season between Seattle and Minnesota, batting .231 with seven homers and 34 RBI in 74 games.
January 4, 2006 The Mets signed Bret Boone to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. If the Mets make no further moves, Boone will compete with Kazuo Matsui, Anderson Hernandez and Jeff Keppinger for the starting job at second base.
