Doogie posted it mid-summer. Mike Berardino posted it 6 weeks ago, but today, ESPN's Jerry Crasnick confirmed that Josh Willingham is going to retire. What's interesting from the article is that Willingham said he had been offered a contract by a contending team. 

 

 

 

"After praying on my decision many times and talking to my wife, my father and ex-players who have gone through the same process toward the end of their careers, I have decided to retire,'' Willingham said.

"I felt like it wouldn't be fair to myself, and more importantly to the team that was paying me a lot of money to perform at a high level, if there was a chance my dedication would waver -- particularly as the season got longer. I'm honored to have played for as many years as I have, and I feel even luckier to walk away on my own terms instead of having the decision made for me.''

 

Congratulations to Willingham! He really did have a very good career. He was a 17th round pick back in 2000, and he spent time in the big leagues every season from 2004 through 2014. He even got to play in the World Series this year. 195 home runs. 

 

He was pretty classy too. I remember the first time I met him. I was in the locker room at Twins Fest, clearly probably looking nervous and out of place. He came up to me with his hand out, shook my hand and said, "Hi, I'm Josh Willingham." I think I responded, although inside I was thinking, "Um, yeah, I knew that." He was huge, incredibly strong, but seemed legitimately like a good caring person.

Congratulations to Josh on his MLB career and I wish him luck in all of his future endeavors.

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2014/10/13/6894429/17th-round-195-homers-the-career-of-josh-willingham-prospect-retrospective

 

Some great insight from John Sickels, old scouting reports of Willingham and a nice write-up overall. His best season was as a Twin, and I still remember being very happy to hear that he signed with the Twins.

 

Glad he had a chance to go to the World Series this year, I bet that was a big thrill for him!

He had a good run. Watching him swat deep balls to the left field deck was one of the highlights from otherwise disappointing team seasons.  His 2012 was maybe one of the best player-seasons we've had during the losing stretch.

 

I'm happy that he was able to make this decision.  How many players can look back and say that the last time he put on an MLB jersey, he was in the World Series?

 He was huge, incredibly strong, but seemed legitimately like a good caring person.

 

I was in the Tria surgical waiting room in the summer of 2013 waiting for a relative, and I noticed this guy across from me who you could not help but notice how big and in-shape he appeared.  I was trying to think why he looked familiar and then remembered Josh was day to day for his knee.  I went online once home, and sure enough his status had changed from day to day to DL.  From appearance, he definitely seemed to take his physical conditioning seriously.  I am glad he got in a play-off run before he retired. 

Ah, so that's why the Twins were taking so long with the bench coach spot.

Also worth mentioning, Willingham got his start in Minnesota playing in the collegiate Northwoods League for Austin in 1998.  I remember going to a few Minny Stars games in Austin as a kid; cool to think that at least one of the guys on the diamond back then eventually ended up in the World Series.