The Left fielder/first baseman was a key member of the 1995 Atlanta Braves who won the world series. From AP-
IRVINE, Calif. -- Ryan Klesko is retiring after 16 seasons in the major leagues, agent Joe Sambito said Friday.Note- Klesko's agent is a former MLB relief pitcher.Klesko, an All-Star in 2001 with San Diego, hit .260 last season with six homers and 44 RBIs in 362 at-bats for the San Francisco Giants. He played in only six games the previous year for the Padres because of shoulder surgery. The 36-year-old became a free agent following the World Series and didn't sign.
For his career, Klesko batted .279 with 278 homers and 987 RBIs. His best season was 2001, when he hit .286 with 30 homers and 113 RBIs.
He spent seven seasons with San Diego after playing his first eight years in the big leagues with the Atlanta Braves.
My main memory of Klesko is from the 2001 Star tournament season. Where I finished 4th in the National pts. standings. Most tournaments that year I had iron glove Edgar Martinez at 1b(there was no DH use). Klesko was my 'glove man' platoon with Edgar in two tournaments, one of which was the Worlds. That was one ugly defensive combo, but I made it to the World quarterfinals that year. So Edgar/Ryan at 1b worked.
Good luck in retirement Ryan.
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