Carlton, Having Reached 4,000, Retires

Steve Carlton, a four-time Cy Young Award winner, announced his retirement Wednesday, the day after he recorded his 4,000th career strikeout.

Carlton, 41, was 1-3 with a 5.10 earned-run average in a one-month stint with the San Francisco Giants. For the season, which included three months with the Philadelphia Phillies, he was 5-11 with a 5.89 ERA. Carlton posted a record of 319 victories against 226 defeats in a 22-year career that included 7 years in St. Louis and 14 1/2 in Philadelphia.

“Upon reflection, I realized that I’ve reached a career milestone (of 4,000 strikeouts) never before accomplished by a pitcher spending his entire career in one league,” Carlton said in a statement released by the Giants.

His strikeout total was second only to Houston’s Nolan Ryan in major league history.

“Further, I realize that the San Francisco Giants are committed to the younger players in their organization, specifically the talented young men on their pitching staff.”

Carlton made the announcement following Wednesday’s 2-1 Giant victory over the Cincinnati Reds in 14 innings.

General Manager Al Rosen echoed Carlton’s views about the Giants’ young pitchers, citing the recent outings by rookies Terry Mulholland and Kelly Downs as encouraging.

“I had hoped we could keep these youngsters in the minor leagues to continue their development a while longer, but due to injuries, we had to bring them up at this time,” Rosen said.

“I have the greatest respect and admiration for Steve Carlton. He gave us 100% during his time here and was a positive influence in the Giants’ clubhouse.”

When the Giants announced Carlton’s signing they said they hoped he would help them win the National League’s West Division, but San Francisco has fallen from first place and Carlton was hit hard in his first two outings.

Manager Roger Craig said he realized, “a couple of starts ago” that Carlton might not be able to return to his brilliant career performance level.

“He helped us in a lot of ways, with his professionalism and the way he worked with the young kids,” Craig said. But he added: “Our future’s going to be with the young kids. Steve’s not exactly going uphill.”