Sad end for Anderson

8-16-2010 @ 12:59 Andy Charles

Garret Anderson’s brief stay with the Los Angeles Dodgers came to an end last week when he was designated for assignment, a move that could bring an end to his meaningful major league career.

Although most of his time was spent across town with the Angels, 14 years in all, the 38-year-old Anderson is one of the most popular sportsmen in the Los Angeles area, and it was just a shame to see him shuffle to the plate this season and struggle so badly.

MLB betting pundits note how the veteran outfielder was hitting only .181 through 155 at-bats when the end came, with another veteran brought up from Albuquerque in the form of former Orioles slugger Jay Gibbons, who had been hitting well in Triple-A.

Should Anderson’s career be over, it will be one that many Angels fans will never forget, as he hit most of his 287 home runs and produced a big majority of his 1,365 RBI for them. Probably short of what is needed for a place in the Hall of Fame, but the Angels will undoubtedly celebrate him in some way.

Those placing the best baseball bets will recognize how he looked like a decent addition to the Dodgers roster this past off-season, but it just seemed that the bat-speed he was so renowned for with the Angels had gone and his timing was way off what it was in his prime.

Manager Joe Torre continued to try and get him into the line-up to break out of his funk, but nothing improved and he was eventually forced to make the move, something he told the Times was very hard to do.

“As tough as this was to do, for me because of how I respect this guy's career and respect him as a person, we just felt we wanted to try something different,” Torre said. “Garret said, 'Thanks for the opportunity,' and with that just slid away. I just wished him well.”

Anderson’s next move will come in the next 10 days, as the Dodgers have that time to find a trade partner for him, release him or, if he accepts the assignment, send him down to the minors. That would be a sad way for the three-time All-Star to go; maybe retirement would be the best option.