One Day After Being Released by Cubs, Bowa, 39, Announces His Retirement

CHICAGO — Shortstop Larry Bowa, his voice cracking with emotion, Tuesday reluctantly agreed that his playing days are over but said he hopes to remain in baseball, perhaps in a management position.

“It has been my whole life,” said Bowa, a 16-year major league player who earlier this season broke Rabbit Maranville’s National League record for games played by a shortstop. Bowa finished with 2,212.

Bowa, 39, made his remarks at a news conference Tuesday, a day after the Chicago Cubs announced that he had been released and that rookie shortstop Shawon Dunston had been recalled from their Triple A Iowa farm club.

Bowa, whose career was highlighted by his playing for the world champion Philadelphia Phillies in 1980, ended with 2,189 career hits.

“I want to be remembered as a guy who worked hard, did not have a lot of natural ability but did my best,” he said.

Bowa entered the season as the all-time leader in fielding percentage for a major league shortstop with more 1,000 games, is a two-time Golden Glove winner, and in 1979 set a major league record with a .991 fielding percentage.

Bowa said he wasn’t surprised at the Cubs’ move, but “I was surprised at the timing.

“I thought it might happen September first when the rosters are expanded. But this is a situation where you have to worry about the ballclub and not one guy.”

Looking ahead, he said: “I have managing in the back of my mind. I definitely think I know what I am doing and I’m sure I can help kids.

“I don’t want to go from team to team, I don’t want to be team hopping. I’ve had a pretty good career. I didn’t cheat myself, I gave my very best.

“Dallas (Green, the Cubs’ general manager) told me they came to this decision at this time because it was important for them to evaluate their position. They are looking to the future.”