Red Sox Don’t Ask Rice Back for 1990

Jim Rice, who has 382 career home runs, was told by the Boston Red Sox on Monday his option for the 1990 season will not be picked up.

In another development, Boston reliever Bob Stanley, the club’s all-time leader in saves, announced his retirement.

Rice, a 15-year veteran, would have been paid $2.4 million if the club brought him back next season.

Stanley, who will turn 35 on Nov. 10, told Red Sox officials at a separate meeting on Monday that he will retire at the end of the season after 13 years with the club.

Plagued by a right elbow injury this season, Rice has a .298 lifetime average with 1,451 runs batted in. He is hitting .234 with three homers and 28 RBIs this year.

An eight-time All-Star, Rice was the American League’s most valuable player in 1978, when he batted .315 with 213 hits, 46 homers and 139 RBIs.

“It’s a shock, even though I didn’t put numbers on the board and I knew it was coming,” said Rice, 36. “I don’t think I still can play. I know I still can play. I want to play for one more year.”

Rice appeared in just 56 games this year, the last on Aug. 3.

“For a stretch in the 1970s and early 1980s he was the most devastating right-handed hitter I’ve ever seen,” Boston Manager Joe Morgan said. “A time comes for everyone, though, and we feel Jim’s time has come.”

Stanley also faded in a frustrating year in which he was openly critical of Morgan.

The right-hander has a 5-2 record and four saves with a 4.88 earned run average in 43 games.

“Bob Stanley is a good man,” Morgan said. “He did an awfully lot for this organization. It’s tough, but there’s a time to move on for everyone.”