Abrupt retirements

I wonder if we'll ever find out the real story with him, that's of course, assuming, we haven't gotten the real story.

 

Good one.

 

I don't generally follow the NHL, but hasn't there been a few where top players have walked away so they could go play in Europe or elsewhere... That might not technically be a "retirement"

 

Can use this year for example, Ilya Kovalchuk.

 

Annika Sorenstam.

 

"Amazing Grace" Smith

 

Kerry Rhodes

 

I've always wondered about which players were blackballed by the leagues (justifiably and unjustifiably) when it's pretty clear they can still play.

I think there have been a few players who could still produce who couldn't find jobs because of steroid rumors or teams just deciding that they're more trouble than they're worth.

 

Jason Collins

 

I remember 49ers tight end John Frank, who was the subject of an SI article in 1989 or so. He walked away after four or five years on the best team in the NFL for medical school.

 

Barry Bonds, and of course Jose Canseco.

 

Those were the two I was thinking of. Albert Belle maybe as well.