=== Reds decide not to re-sign Larkin === Cincinnati, OH (My Sportsbook) - The Cincinnati Reds announced at a Tuesday afternoon press conference that they will not be re-signing veteran shortstop Barry Larkin for 2005. Larkin, who will likely test the free agent market, has spent his entire 19- year career in the majors with the Reds. He played in 111 games this past season and hit .289 with eight homers and 44 runs batted in. The 40-year-old Larkin contemplated retirement at the end of the 2004 campaign and the club actually scheduled a ceremony for October 2. However, he later decided he wasn't ready to call it quits just yet. Larkin was an All-Star for the 12th time this past season, third-most in franchise history behind Johnny Bench (14) and Pete Rose (13). Larkin helped lead the Reds to a World Series title in 1990 and was the National League MVP in 1995. For his career, Larkin has batted .295 with 198 homers, 379 stolen bases and 960 RBI in 2,180 contests. |
