By Geoff Bilau - AngelsWin.com Senior Editor
The following are my immediate recollections and impressions from the Garret Anderson retirement conference call Tuesday morning:
Anderson said he contended all along that he would have liked to finish his career as an Angel, but that it didn't work out, and though he does carry some regrets about not doing so, he appreciates the opportunity he had to play in Atlanta, especially for Bobby Cox, and to play for Joe Torre after being his opposition for so many years.
He said his proudest accomplishment wouldn't be anything he accomplished individually because he couldn't have shared it with anybody, so he would have to say winning the World Series would top the list. He knows so many fellow players who never even got there and appreciates how difficult it was just to do that and win it and how difficult it was to try and get back there.
MLB.com's Lyle Spencer asked Anderson if he thinks he was misunderstood as a player. He said, "I don't think I was misunderstood — I know I was misunderstood," and laughed. Anderson admitted that he recognizes he brought some of his perception problems upon himself and is sorry for that. "For the most part I was just a quiet person and that leads to a lot of misunderstanding," he said.
Anderson also said retirement wasn't an easy decision, but that there wasn't anything "remotely worth considering" available to him this spring. He said anything would have required a minor league contract and most likely starting the season in AAA. He said being put in the position of having to hope for somebody to struggle or get injured is something he would never wish upon anybody at this stage of their career.
He was asked about a future in coaching and said, "I've learned to never say never."
The guy was every bit as classy as ever. I hope the Angels facilitating this conference call means he'll continue his relationship with the organization, including guest coaching opportunities in Arizona and things around the stadium. It would be great to see him back in Angels red one way or another.