The "GREATEST" signing in Yankees history is retiring.

[jd25213]

Let's hear it for the greatest free agent signing in Yankees history as he is set to retire.

Pitcher Carl Pavano is retiring after 14 major league seasons.

The 38-year-old right-hander didn't pitch after June 1 in 2012 because of a strained right shoulder. His spleen was removed in January 2013 after he was injured when he fell in the snow at his home in Vermont.

Pavano had been hoping to return to the major leagues this year.

"Despite my strong desire to compete and hard work in preparing for the upcoming season, I feel that the amount of time lost from my spleen injury, coupled with the recovery from my complications from that injury, preclude me from continuing to compete at my highest level, which is necessary to perform in the major leagues," Pavano said in a statement released Wednesday by his agent, David Pepe.

"I have achieved many things as a major league pitcher of which I am very proud. However, I feel at this time, I am simply not able to continue to pitch at the major league level, and these last three months of rigorous training have failed to produce the results that I was looking for to allow me to continue my major league career."

Pavano, an All-Star in 2004, was 108-107 with a 4.39 ERA for Montreal (1998-02), Florida 2002-04), the New York Yankees (2005, 2007-08), Cleveland (2009) and Minnesota (2009-12). He was an All-Star in 2004, going 18-8 with a 3.00 ERA and earning a $39.95 million, four-year contract with the Yankees.

Injuries limited Pavano to 26 starts, 145 2-3 innings and a 9-8 record during his Yankees' contract. He rebounded after leaving New York and went 17-11 for the Twins in 2010, when he tied for the AL lead in complete games with seven.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to have been a major league baseball player, and the gratitude I have for being able to do that is profound and beyond any expression I can make in words," he said.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...asons/5846501/

You leave us with a lot of memories, but this photo is by far the best:

[hugepatsfan]

A real Yankee, a true Yankee!

[rrzubnyy]

Igawa was worst with the amount of money they spent on him....Pavano was bad but Kei was worse.

[jd25213]

Igawa was worst with the amount of money they spent on him....Pavano was bad but Kei was worse.

At least Kei never crashed a Porsche and hung around Gia Allemand (R.I.P.).

[goingfor28]

Rip

[rrzubnyy]

At least Kei never crashed a Porsche and hung around Gia Allemand (R.I.P.).

Ok, you got that right!

[theslick1]

Igawa was worst with the amount of money they spent on him....Pavano was bad but Kei was worse.

A-Rod part 2 might turn out to be the worst. We will pay him more between now and the end of his contract than Igawa and Pavano got combined.

[Mr Costanza]

Respect

[Yankee Clipper]

Pavano rides off into the sunset to finish his career. Thanks for the memories!

[Ill21]

Pavano rides off into the sunset to finish his career. Thanks for the memories!

[Pinstripe pride]

**** you carl pavano

[Yankees90.]

I think I speak for everyone when I say this truly is a sad day.

[bfrap]

Pavano rides off into the sunset to finish his career. Thanks for the memories!

Memories?

More like horror reels....

[ShinobiNYC]

Pavano made it cool again to wear a mustache and drive a porsche, he earned every penny he gained just by showing up.

[nytimeseditor]

Can we start the charge to retire his number?