Fernandez

MIAMI -- The scene was sadly similar to four years ago, with Alex Fernandez sitting behind a microphone at a news conference, fighting back tears as he discussed a devastating injury to his pitching shoulder.

In 1997, when a fully torn rotator cuff forced Fernandez out of postseason play, the injury was described as career-threatening. That prognosis regrettably proved accurate, and the Florida Marlins right-hander reluctantly announced his retirement Wednesday at 32.

In the past four years he endured two operations and painful rehabilitation while pitching only 193 1/3 innings, with his most recent game in May 2000.

"I said I wasn't going to get emotional," Fernandez said, his eyes moist as he spoke haltingly. "But the day has come that I have to move on with my life. It's unfortunate that I had to end my career at such a young age because of the troubles with my arm, but at the same time I feel very fortunate to have played 12 years in the major leagues and won a world championship with the Florida Marlins."

Fernandez earned the ring in 1997. His injury was discovered after he lost Game 2 of the National League Championship Series that year against Atlanta.

"It was a shock to us to learn the extent of his injury at that time," Marlins general manager Dave Dombrowski said. "I remember he pleaded with us to continue to pitch in the postseason."

Instead, Fernandez watched from the bench with a mixture of frustration and elation as the Marlins won the World Series.

He sat out the following season, then pitched 141 innings in 1999 to win the NL Comeback Player of the Year Award. He went 7-8 with a 3.38 ERA despite three stints on the disabled list and a fastball that rarely reached 85 mph.

Fernandez won on Opening Day for the second consecutive year last season and improved to 4-4 with a victory May 6 -- a game that turned out to be the last of his career.

He underwent surgery in July 2000 and finally abandoned a grueling rehabilitation program three months ago when it became apparent his shoulder wasn't getting any better. Even throwing batting practice to his 8-year-old son was too difficult.

After consulting with his surgeon, Dr. James Andrews, Fernandez decided to give up on another comeback.

"It's a day that has to come sooner or later," he said. "It came sooner for me."

Fernandez said it's unlikely he'll stay in baseball, and he has no immediate plans regarding his future. The Cuban American, who grew up in Miami, held his wife's hand as he spoke and wore a sport coat with an American flag pin in the lapel.

"It's kind of a depressing day for me," he said. "But when you look around the world and look at our country and what's going on these days, I'm a very fortunate man. Very."

Fernandez finished 107-87 with a 3.74 ERA in 263 games. He was never on the disabled list during seven seasons as a workhorse for the Chicago White Sox, which is one reason Florida signed him to a five-year, $35 million deal before the 1997 season.

He went 28-24 for the Marlins, meaning he earned $1.25 million per win. Insurance money covered much of Fernandez's salary during the time he has been sidelined.

"The Florida Marlins have been very fortunate to have someone like Alex Fernandez in our organization," Dombrowski said. "It's unfortunate he hasn't been able to achieve his goal and return to the game."

When the news conference ended, Fernandez kissed his wife and hugged Dombrowski and about a dozen Florida players -- now his ex-teammates. The Marlins plan a tribute before Saturday's game against Philadelphia.