Orosco Decides to Call It a Career

After a record-setting career, 46-year-old left-hander Jesse Orosco told the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday that he had decided to retire after 24 major league seasons.

“To take it a quarter-century -- I never imagined that,” Orosco said during a telephone interview with Associated Press. “It’s a sad day that I have to call it quits. But it’s a great day too for the fact I fulfilled my dream.”

Orosco, who turns 47 on April 21, was the oldest player in the major leagues last season. He began his career with the New York Mets in 1979 -- some current major leaguers weren’t even born yet -- and set major league records with 1,252 games pitched and 1,248 relief appearances.

He went 87-80 with 144 saves and an earned-run average of 3.16 with nine teams. His greatest moment was when he struck out Boston’s Marty Barrett to end Game 7 of the 1986 World Series.

He was also a member of the Dodgers’ 1988 World Series championship team.

Orosco went 2-2 with two saves and a 7.68 ERA in 65 games last season with the San Diego Padres, New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins.

Orosco agreed in November to a minor league contract with Arizona that called for an $800,000 salary if he was added to the 40-man roster.

The decision to retire came upon him gradually over the last few weeks.

“I had a long talk with my wife. I told her, ‘I just don’t think I have it in me to get prepared this year. I’d be wasting my time and their time.’ ”

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The Chicago Cubs and right-hander Ryan Dempster agreed to a one-year contract that includes a team option for 2005.

Dempster, 26, spent the final two months last season on the Cincinnati Reds’ disabled list because of a bone chip and a torn ligament in his right elbow.

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Shingo Takatsu, Japan’s career saves leader with 260, has agreed to a $1-million, one-year contract with the Chicago White Sox. The agreement is contingent on Takatsu, 34, passing a physical.

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The San Diego Padres held their first workout at Petco Park, their $458-million downtown ballpark.

Phil Nevin hit the first batting practice pitch into left-center field, then a few minutes later drove a pitch off the facade of the Western Metal Supply Co. building, a 95-year-old brick warehouse that helps form the left-field corner.

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Infielder Norihiro Nakamura of the Kintetsu Buffaloes will take part in spring training with the Dodgers. He batted .236 last season with 23 homers and 67 runs batted in.