The word yesterday was that former Toronto Blue Jays, Florida Marlins and New York Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado was set to retire after a series of hip injuries, and today he made it official. Delgado, always one of the more interesting and eloquent ballplayers, had this to say at a press conference to announce his retirement:

"There comes a moment when you have to have the dignity and the sense to recognize that something is not functioning," the 38-year-old said. "You can’t swim against the current."

Delgado finished his career with 473 home runs, the most by any player born in Puerto Rico. He played for 17 seasons, though the last time he was in the majors was in 2009. He attempted to come back with the Boston Red Sox last season, and until recently was still rehabbing from his latest hip surgery with the hopes that he could return to the majors in 2011.