Released by Nationals, Heath Bell opts to retire

Shortly after recording his first save of the spring Monday afternoon at Space Coast Stadium, veteran reliever Heath Bell was released by the Washington Nationals.

Barely 24 hours later, the 37-year-old reliever ended his baseball career for good.

Bell, a three-time All-Star who collected 168 saves over parts of 11 seasons in the majors leagues, announced his retirement Tuesday before embarking on the longest leg of a three-day solo drive back to San Diego.

"My kids wanted me home," Bell told MLB.com's Corey Brock. "What's more important: my kids or the big leagues? I've already accomplished more than I ever dreamed of. Now it's time to help them accomplish their dreams."

During his halcyon days with the San Diego Padres, the paunchy right-hander was among the game's best closers, fashioning a 2.53 ERA (150 ERA+) with a 25.8 percent strikeout rate from 2007 to 2011. Bell, however, struggled in recent years, crafting an ugly 4.91 ERA over the last three seasons across forgettable stints with the Miami Marlins, Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Rays.

"I had so many good memories," Bell said. "Getting to the big leagues with the Mets, with the Padres in 2007, almost going to the playoffs, the great times with (Greg) Maddux, (Brian) Giles, Adrian (Gonzalez), (Trevor Hoffman), David Wells. It's been a great ride."

"You know, (the Nationals) released me but I really believe I'm still walking away the way I wanted to walk away, for the right reasons," Bell said. "It's a really happy moment for me. I can say I'm a dad and I'm a husband. I can focus on that."