Detroit reliever Todd Jones will retire

DETROIT, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Detroit Tigers reliever Todd Jones says he will retire at the end of the 2008 major league baseball season.

The 40-year-old right-hander announced his decision Wednesday in in his weekly column for the Sporting News magazine.

"So this is it," Jones wrote in this week's magazine. "If you're a Tigers fan, I'll never stress you out again. If you're not a Tigers fan, you'll never have me as your ace in the hole, convinced I'll blow a lead against your team."

Jones was placed on 15-day disabled list because of shoulder soreness in July and the closer's role has been handled by fellow right-hander Fernando Rodney.

During 16 major league seasons, Jones is 14th on the all-time list with 319 saves and with 235, he holds the Tigers' franchise record.

He also pitched for Houston, Minnesota, Colorado, Boston, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Florida.