PHOENIX, June 13 (UPI) -- Matt Williams, the last of the original Arizona Diamondbacks and a five-time All-Star, has told the Arizona Republic that he has retired.
Williams spent 17 seasons in the major leagues. The Diamondbacks designated the third baseman for assignment on June 1 to make room on their roster for Shea Hillenbrand, who was acquired from the Boston Red Sox for righthander Byung-Hyun Kim.
Williams, 37, has 378 career home runs. He was batting .246 with four homers and 16 RBI in 44 games this year. He cleared waivers Wednesday, and decided to retire rather than sign with another team, citing a desire to remain with his family in Arizona.
"I'm a father first," Williams told the paper. "My kids are 12, 13 and 10, and I've been a baseball player and missed a lot of their time. It's more important to be present with them."
He had 1,218 RBI in a career that included stints with San Francisco and Cleveland Indians.
