Phillips’ Retirement Comes to a Quick End

Tony Phillips, who abruptly announced his retirement from baseball, changed his mind two days later, and will return to the Chicago White Sox.

Phillips left Chicago’s spring-training complex Saturday and returned to his home in Scottsdale, Ariz., citing family reasons, and later announced he was retiring.

The retirement was a short one. On Wednesday night, Phillips phoned White Sox General Manager Ron Schueler and said he’d like to rejoin the team.

Phillips, a 36-year-old left fielder who signed a two-year, $3.6-million contract with the White Sox on Jan. 20, is expected back in camp on Saturday.

“He went back and talked to his wife and daughter,” Schueler said Thursday. “He called me, said he thought it over, and said there was no way he could give up baseball now. I’m elated because I knew that deep in my heart, Tony still wants to play.”

There will be no fine or other punishments awaiting Phillips when he returns to the White Sox. As for hard feelings, there appear to be none.

“I’m happy he’s going to be back with us,” Chicago Manager Terry Bevington said. “I’m happy things worked out with his family because Tony is a good man. The reason we got him was because we thought he’d be an impact player on this team.”

Phillips, a veteran of 14 major-league seasons with Oakland, Detroit and California, hit .261 with the Angels last year. His 27 home runs were a career high, and Phillips finished third in the American League in walks (113) and fourth in runs (119).

Phillips was not available for comment Thursday.

“I’m very happy he decided to come back,” White Sox first baseman Frank Thomas said. “He adds another dimension to our team, and he carries an attitude that’s going to rub off on a lot of players.”

Phillips’ agent, Tony Attanasio, said that family considerations were the only reason his client left the team. There has been speculation that Phillips’ departure also was related to his displeasure with his contract. He made $4.4 million with the Angels last season.

“His departure from the club had nothing to do with the contractual agreement between him and club. Zero,” Attanasio said in a phone interview from his San Diego office. “He had a family situation that required his attention. His priorities are that his family comes first, and a great number of other things come behind that.

“After conversations with his family and with close friends and more specifically with Dave Stewart and Dusty Baker and me, he was able to resolve the personal situations to the extent that it was advisable for him to do what he does best--play baseball.”

Stewart is a former teammate now working for the A’s. Baker, another former teammate, is the manager of the San Francisco Giants.