http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/h...s_hou&fext=.jsp
Even though it's been a year and a half, the second baseman's arrival to the Giants' ballpark is still a hot story, especially since the Astros are one of the Giants' main rivals in the Wild Card race.
The ears of Bay Area reporters perked up a bit when Kent started talking about retirement, but the second baseman cautioned not to read too much into that statement. For those who cover Kent on an everyday basis, hearing him talk about retirement is nothing new. He started doing that during Spring Training.
But considering the Astros are not likely to pick up the $9 million option on Kent's contract next year, retirement will soon be one of Kent's options, as will signing with another team.
Kent is not looking to retire, but the prospect of life after baseball does not scare him in the least bit. He cited a multitude of outside interests that he will embrace when his playing career indeed ends.
"I've got four kids at home that I have more fun with," he said. "I have a trailer full of motorcycles that I enjoy riding. I have a ranch to care of, calves that are being dropped on the ground. I'm trying to get a motorcycle shop going. There's just a lot of other things that I want to do before I'm too old.
"I don't want to live in a locker room my whole life. There's other things I enjoy besides baseball."
Kent has heard the rumors that suggest the Astros will not invite him to return to Houston in 2005.
"You hear all the stories," he said. "You talk to your family, you talk to your kids, figure out what your options are and figure out if it's worth it or not. Don't make too big of a deal about the retirement thing. It's just one option of many."