McGee makes retirement "official"

St Louis Cardinals outfielder Willie McGee did not leave himself much room at the end of the 1999 season. Now, he has closed the door.

St Louis Cardinals outfielder Willie McGee did not leave himself much room at the end of the 1999 season. Now, he has closed the door.

During a live interview on Monday night with St Louis television station KSDK, McGee made his retirement from baseball official.

"I'm going to be home with my family," McGee said. "I knew a while ago that this was probably going to be it. The way the season went, the way my season went, it seems like it's just time."

McGee was a World Series hero as a rookie in 1982 when the Cardinals won the championship. He was the NL MVP in 1985, and won the NL batting title in 1990 at .335.

But he turned 41 this month and his performance had slipped in the past two years. He hit .251 this season in 271 at-bats, with no home runs and 20 RBIs.

McGee has 2,254 career hits and a lifetime average of .295. He has 79 homers, 856 RBIs and 352 stolen bases.

Manager Tony La Russa said McGee would have a job next season if he wanted one. But McGee said Sunday he had no interest in coming back as a player or a coach - at least right now.

"I think I owe it to myself and I owe it to my family to get away for a year or two ... then, definitely. It's in my blood," he said.