Teixeira: 'It's time for me to do something else'

With tears in his eyes and a Yankee logo on his chest, an emotional Mark Teixeira confirmed his plans to retire at the end of the season.

"Every kid playing whiffle ball in the backyard or playing Little League, you dream of being a Major League baseball player. And after 14 years it's time for me to do something else, and after this season I'm going to retire and do something else," the New York Yankees first baseman said during a press conference Friday.

Selected by the Texas Rangers with the fifth pick in the 2001 draft, Teixeira spent eight of his 14 seasons in the majors in pinstripes and will retire a five-time Gold Glove winner, three-time All-Star, and World Series champion.

"It wasn't always enough, but I tried my best," Teixeira said. "I'm proud to have a World Series ring with the Yankees. It's something I'll never forget."

Teixeira has seen his career derailed by injuries in recent years, and acknowledged that he wakes up everyday in pain. He's missed more than 250 games over the past five seasons with wrist, neck and knee problems.

"Being a free agent at season's end, and being 36, retirement is always in the back of your mind," Teixeira said. "This year my neck started bothering me, I hurt my knee, and I just kind of realized my body can't do it anymore. If I have to grind through the season not being healthy, I'd rather be somewhere else."

Teixeira will leave as one of the best switch-hitters in major-league history. His 404 home runs rank fifth all-time among switch-hitters, while he's one of nine players to ever hit at least 400 homers and win five Gold Gloves.

"I'll be a Yankee fan forever," he said.