Shipley, 36, Retires After 15 Seasons

The starting shortstop job is up for grabs, and if Craig Shipley didn’t win it he was favored to earn a utility spot and a $400,000 salary. That’s why Shipley’s retirement Saturday after a 15-year professional career came as a shock to coaches and teammates.

“But I had been going over this for a long time--it wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment thing,” Shipley, 36, said. “I just don’t have the desire to play anymore, that’s the No. 1 reason. When you keep trying to go every day and fake the desire, that’s telling you something.”

Shipley had been slowed by a neck injury and sore legs this spring, and Manager Terry Collins said Shipley told him he “felt like his body wasn’t going to hold up.” Shipley said his decision wasn’t based on any physical problems.

The native of Australia also considered retiring before playing 1998 with the Angels and again before signing a minor league contract this winter, but it finally hit him Friday before the Angels’ Cactus League opener that he couldn’t continue.

“It was the first game of spring training, and I wasn’t even looking forward to it,” Shipley said. “I would be cheating Terry and myself if I stayed. I’m not just going to play so I can make some money. . . . I’ve been playing for 15 years. It’s not like I haven’t got it out of my system.”

Shipley, who has a career .271 average with 20 homers and 138 runs batted in in 582 games, hopes to land a job in baseball, preferably as a coach or minor league instructor. He would also consider a scouting or front-office position.

“I’ve known Craig for years, and without question, he’s one of my favorite players and a good friend,” Collins said. “As disappointing as this is, he did it on his own terms. When the fire starts to burn out, a lot of guys don’t make the right decision. This guy did, and I tip my hat to him.”

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After examining pitcher Chuck Finley Saturday, Dr. Lewis Yocum, team physician, advised the left-hander to undergo another week of treatment for muscle spasms in his upper back before pitching in a Cactus League game. “We’re not going to run him out there until he’s ready to pitch,” Collins said. “He means too much to us to risk injury.” Finley played catch Saturday and probably will resume sideline workouts this week, and Collins remains confident he’ll be ready for the season. . . . Despite home runs by Tim Salmon, Phil Nevin and Todd Greene, the Angels lost to Oakland, 8-7, in an exhibition game at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Angel reliever Mark Petkovsek gave up consecutive home runs to Ben Grieve, Matt Stairs and Eric Chavez in a five-run fifth. . . . Infielder Chuck Abbott, who hit .263 with 62 RBIs at double-A Midland last season, will join the big league camp today to compete with Andy Stankiewicz, Jeff Huson and Luis Rivera for the utility job. “By no means does Shipley’s retirement make anything easier for the rest of us,” Stankiewicz said.