Former Astros Pitcher Brocail Retires

HOUSTON - After 15 years in Major League Baseball and just as many medical and surgical procedures, former Houston Astros pitcher Doug Brocail told FOX 26 Sports Thursday he is retiring from the game.

"I am retiring because it's harder to get my arm in shape and the talent just isn't there anymore," Brocail said. "There's no use in just hanging on."

Brocail began his big league career with the San Diego Padres in 1992 and pitched for them for three years. He would return to San Diego in 2006 and 2007 and also was with the Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers and three stints with the Houston Astros, most recently in 2009 when injuries limited him to just 17.2 innings.

"I've had a great career and why not go out when I'm feeling good," Brocail said. It's time to hand it off to the younger generation.

The 42-year old Brocail leaves the game with a 52-48 career record plus nine saves. A reliever most of his career, Brocail worked in 880 innings with a lifetime earned run average of 4.00

Considering the number of medical issues Brocail had to deal with, it's remarkable he lasted as long as he did.

In fact he did not throw a single pitch in 2001, 2002 and 2003 because of health-related issues.

"I wouldn't have changed anything about my career," Brocail said. "The health issues made me stronger.

"I would always take the ball, even some times when I shouldn't. I don't know if I could do that anymore."

Brocail pointed out that during his career he underwent a pair of Tommy John surgeries on his right elbow. He said he also had seven arthroscopic procedures on that elbow, along with surgery on his right shoulder, a procedure for a sports hernia and an appendectomy.

Brocail also underwent a pair of angioplasties, one month apart, in 2006.

In the first procedure Brocail said doctors put in one stent in his left anterior descending artery and in the second procedure he said doctors placed three stents in his right coronary artery.

"When you have to do stuff to get to the ballpark and not look like you're 80, it's tough," Brocail said. "I always had great pain-tolerance, but when it starts to wear on you mentally, it's very difficult.

"Every spring training I used to always say to myself, 'I am going to take that old man's job.' Now it's time that somebody else takes this old man's job."

In his next to last season with the Astros in 2008 Brocail worked in 72 games, had a 7-5 record and an ERA of 3.93. He was mainstay in the Houston bullpen at the age of 41.

"I thought this decision would be emotional, but it's not one iota," Brocail said. "When you're talent runs out, it's a little different.

"I always said when I was through with baseball, I didn't want to be in baseball. I've talked to the Astros a little bit and we'll see what happens."

Astros general manager Ed Wade believes Brocail will have a lot to offer a baseball organization.

"I would like to sit down with him before we go to spring training and see what his aspirations are," said Wade. "I think Doug is wired in the fashion that would benefit some organization far beyond his playing days."