rbitration with reliever Joe Thatcher on Friday, agreeing to a one-y

HOUSTON -- Six-time All-Star Lance Berkman is retiring after 15 seasons in the major leagues. Berkman almost left the game last off-season before signing with the Texas Rangers. He then had another injury-plagued season and was limited to 73 games. The 37-year-old Berkman was Houstons first-round draft pick in 1997 out of Rice, and played 12 seasons for the Astros. He played 1,879 career games, all but 287 for Houston, finishing a .293 career hitter with 366 home runs and 1,234 RBIs. "Lance was one of the greatest players in Astros history," his original team said in a release Wednesday night. The Astros said they hope to honour Berkman during the upcoming season and "give the fans the chance to recognize his outstanding career." He finished the 2010 season with the New York Yankees before two years in St. Louis, where he was part of the 2011 World Series champions. "Just physically Ive gotten to the point where I dont feel like I can compete at a level that Im used to competing at," Berkman told KRIV-TV of Houston. "I could probably still drag my carcass out there, but Im not interested in doing that. ... I dont want to hang on just to hang on." Berkman said he was excited about retiring. The Rangers declined their $12 million contract option for 2014 last October, which got Berkman a $1 million buyout. He hit .242 with six homers and 34 RBIs for the Rangers. He went on the disabled list July 7 with a left inflammation and a sore right knee, and played only five games after coming back the final month of the season. The six-time All-Star played only 32 games for St. Louis in 2012, when he dealt with a strained left calf and had two operations on his right knee. He hit .301 in 2011 for the Cardinals, who won the World Series that season over Texas. Berkman had said last winter that he had gone into that off-season feeling like he was going to retire then. But he responded to the Rangers, and made $10 million last season. Wholesale Balenciaga Speed Trainer . "That was a great lift for the staff," Padres manager Bud Black said. Yonder Alonso and Yasmani Grandal homered, and Chase Headley drove in three runs, as the Padres beat the Chicago Cubs 11-1 on Friday night. Wholesale Nike Air Max China . The 21-year-old Canadian earned a spot in his third career ATP final on Saturday thanks to his first Top 10 victory of the new tennis season, a 6-4, 6-4 win over world no. 10 Nicolas Almagro of Spain. http://www.brandshoescheaponline.com/wholesale-air-max-china/max-270-clearance-sale.html . The Italian football federation announced the appointment, three days after new president Carlo Tavecchio was elected. Tavecchio and Conte spoke on the phone early Thursday. Fake Air Force 1 For Sale . Jamies number grades given are out of five, with five being the best mark. Steve Mason, Philadelphia (4) - Mason was brilliant all night long with save after big save on Benoit Pouliot, Carl Hagelin and Derick Brassard. Wholesale Name Brand Shoes .com) - St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko, Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk and Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury have been selected as the NHLs top players for last week.PHOENIX -- The Arizona Diamondbacks avoided arbitration with reliever Joe Thatcher on Friday, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $2,375,000. The 32-year-old left-hander was 3-2 with a 3.20 ERA in 72 appearances with the Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres last season. Arizona also swapped arbitration figures with outfielders Mark Trumbo and Gerardo Parra. Trumbo asked for $5.85 million, while the Diamondbacks were at $3.4 million. Parra asked for $5.2 million, compared to a $4.3 million proposal by the teaam.dddddddddddd Arizona acquired Trumbo from the Los Angeles Angels in a three-team trade in December. The slugger hit .234 with 34 home runs and 100 RBIs last year. Thatcher came to Arizona as part of the July 31 trade that sent right-hander Ian Kennedy to the Padres. Since 2007, Thatcher ranks third among major leaguers in the percentage of inherited runners to score at 19 per cent. He has a career record of 8-12 with a 3.34 ERA in 309 games over seven seasons with San Diego and Arizona. ' ' '