WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Former Cincinnati shortstop Barry Larkin ended his 19-year major league career Sunday and joined Washington as special assistant to the general manager.
"With the addition of Barry Larkin, the Washington Nationals organization is discernably better today than it was yesterday," said General Manager Jim Bowden, who worked with Larkin as Reds General Manager from 1992-2003.
Larkin spent his entire career with the Reds and had baseball's longest streak among active players who had been with just one club.
Larkin, 40, was named an All-Star for the 12th time in 2004 and ranks third in club history in hits (2,340) and games played (2,180). He was National League MVP in 1995 after batting .319 with 15 home runs, 66 RBI and 51 stolen bases.
In 1996, Larkin was the first shortstop with 30-or-more home runs and 30-or-more stolen bases the same season.
