Bill Mueller retires, takes front office job with Dodgers

By JOHN NADEL, AP Sports Writer
November 17, 2006

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Former AL batting champion Bill Mueller, limited
to 32 games with the Dodgers last season before undergoing what
turned out to be career-ending knee surgery, retired Friday and will
serve as a special assistant to Los Angeles general manager Ned
Colletti.

"In one way, it's really disappointing, because I love what he
brings to the table as a player," Colletti said. "When he got hurt
last year, it was probably as big an injury as we had for what it
meant to the club."


Mueller, who signed a two-year, $9.5 million contract with the
Dodgers last winter, hit .252 with three homers and 15 RBIs while
striking out just nine times in 127 plate appearances.

"He's a very smart guy," Colletti said. "He'll be involved with us
in scouting, evaluating players, player development areas, amateur
draft areas. He'll be a great sounding board for me."

Colletti also said on a conference call that the Dodgers were close
to completing a deal to retain Nomar Garciaparra, the NL comeback
player of the year last season.

"We're not there yet, but we're close," Colletti said.

The 33-year-old Garciaparra, a two-time AL batting champion and six-
time All-Star, hit .303 with 20 homers and 93 RBIs for the Dodgers
last season -- his first with the team. Injuries limited him to a
total of 82 games in the previous two years.

Mueller finishes his career with a .291 average, 85 home runs and
493 RBIs in 11 seasons with the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs,
Boston Red Sox and Dodgers.

The 35-year-old third baseman hit .326 and had career-high totals of
171 hits, 19 homers and 85 RBIs with the Red Sox in 2003, when he
won his batting championship. He was a member of Boston's 2004 World
Series championship team.

Mueller said he realized as last season went on that he'd never be
able to play again because of the damage to his right knee.

"It's something I'm definitely going to need work on in the future,
whether it's done with one surgery or two separate surgeries," he
said. "It's something I'm basically going to have to live with the
rest of my life, without being able to run or jog, without high-
impact activity.

"It's unfortunate, it's crazy. I'm just trying to deal with it now,
living day-to-day life."

Mueller and Colletti have known each other for several years.
Mueller began his career with the Giants, where Colletti served as
assistant GM for nine years before being hired by the Dodgers last
November.

"He's someone that I trust and know, and really most importantly,
respect," Mueller said. "I think that's what created even more
interest in staying in the game of baseball. Once I understood there
was no chance I would ever be able to play again, I called Ned. When
both of our interests were high, I thought this was a great move and
a great decision."

Mueller will be paid the $4.5 million the Dodgers owe him for next
season, and as Colletti said with a laugh, had signed a contract at
a much lower level of pay for the 2008 season.

"He's going to be a very special person in the executive ranks,"
Colletti said.

Mueller said he has no regrets concerning his playing career.

"I'm happy with the next chapter," he said. "My (job) description is
a work in progress. As of right now, I'm very interested in learning
under Ned. I think it's a wonderful opportunity for myself to be
able to listen and really get tutored on the aspects of the front
office.

"To me, it's such a great fit. Who knows what my interests might be?
Right now, I just want to embrace this. Ned's given me an
opportunity for a balanced life."

Mueller said he will continue to live in Phoenix but still has his
apartment in Los Angeles.

"I'll be making trips back and forth and to wherever (Colletti)
might need me," Mueller said.