[81alum]

Lots of transcendant stars end up leaving at the ends of their careers. Joe Montana. Babe Ruth. Duke Snider. Willie Mays. Chris Mullin. Michael Jordan. Ronnie Lott. Jackie Robinson was actually traded to the Giants, and he retired instead. You make it sound as if it's axiomatic that they should be able to select when and where and from whom they retire.

My wife grew up a Giants fan and often went to Candlestick to watch Willie Mays.  She didn't really care about the Giants.  But Willie....

Then, at the impressionable age of 13, Mays was traded to the Mets.

My wife has not watched a single baseball game since May 11, 1972.  It was as if someone murdered a family member.  Major League Baseball lost a committed fan for next  50 years and counting.

[81alum]

Lots of transcendant stars end up leaving at the ends of their careers. Joe Montana. Babe Ruth. Duke Snider. Willie Mays. Chris Mullin. Michael Jordan. Ronnie Lott. Jackie Robinson was actually traded to the Giants, and he retired instead. You make it sound as if it's axiomatic that they should be able to select when and where and from whom they retire.

My wife grew up a Giants fan and often went to Candlestick to watch Willie Mays.  She didn't really care about the Giants.  But Willie....

Then, at the impressionable age of 13, Mays was traded to the Mets.

My wife has not watched a single baseball game since May 11, 1972.  It was as if someone murdered a family member.  Major League Baseball lost a committed fan for next  50 years and counting.