Ryan Westmoreland retires from baseball

[jacksonianmarch]

Ryan Westmoreland has retired from baseball.

"With a clear mind and heart, as well as the unwavering support and friendship of my family, friends, agent(s), doctors, therapists and the Boston Red Sox, I have decided to voluntarily retire as a professional baseball player," Westmoreland wrote in an email to the media on Wednesday. The promising outfield prospect underwent surgery to remove a cavernous malformation from his brain stem in March 2010 and hasn't been able to fully recover.

[Station 13]

Damn what a shame. Good luck to him.

[Palodios]

Really unfortunate situation. Hopefully he'll be able to live a normal life from here on out.

[BSN07]

I just read it on MLBTR. It's really too bad. Hopefully he is able to go on and live a reasonably normal life. Good luck to him.

[italstallianion]

This goes to show that there are FAR more important things than baseball. While his baseball career may be over, the kid has plenty to look forward to as he lives the rest of his life. I would have loved to see him do well on the Red Sox, but I am happy that he has a long life to look forward to. I'm still a fan of his.

[Whiteandnerdy42]

Well, I think at least we can be happy that his brain surgery succeeded. Even if it did help lead to the end of his career.

[Big Guy]

One of my favorite Red Sox stories of the past several years. The initial diagnosis was heartbreaking to hear for such a promising young kid. But the past few years fight back, only to undergo a second surgery, and start over is more than inspirational, it's indescribable. I wish him nothing but the best, and I will continue to follow his story, he is a true role model.

[a700hitter]

Once he had that first procedure, he was lucky just to be able to pursue a normal life. Professional athletics was out of the question.

[Dojji]

I'm glad that he was able to come back as far as he did. And I'm glad he tried to come back. Better to answer those questions once and for all before you have to put professional ball behind you.

[who]

I'm glad that he was able to come back as far as he did. And I'm glad he tried to come back. Better to answer those questions once and for all before you have to put professional ball behind you.

 

Agreed. He did all he could to get back. He will at least never question whether or not he could have made it back.

[Behindenemylines]

As though as it was for him to give up the dream, it looks like he should be able to lead a normal life.