M’s Javier retiring, Buhner not so sure

  • Kirby Arnold / Herald Writer
  • Monday, October 22, 2001 9:00pm
  • Sports

By Kirby Arnold

Herald Writer

NEW YORK – The New York Yankees not only ended the Seattle Mariners’ season, they finished one Mariner’s career and might have done the same to another.

Stan Javier, despite the urgings of several teammates, has decided to retire after 17 major league seasons. Jay Buhner, whose aching body is telling him this is it, says he will decide this winter if he will come back another year.

Javier, who cried when the Mariners celebrated their American League West Division championship because he knew it might be his final such moment, flashed a smile of satisfaction late Monday night.

“It was going to happen sooner or later,” he said. “I have a lot of good things to look forward to, my kids and my family. I’m ready to get on with a new life.”

Javier grew up as the son of a major league baseball player, former St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Julian Javier, and says he has never experienced a year of his life away from a baseball team.

At age 38, he was such a productive member of the Mariners that teammates urged him to reconsider.

“This is such a good group of guys,” he said. “I don’t think they still believe I’m going to retire.”

Javier went out the way he came in, with a hard smash that became an out in Yankee Stadium.

More than 17 years after Javier began his major league career as a Yankee with a fly out – “Off Lamar Hoyt,” he said, “fly ball to center field.” – he ended it with a line drive into third baseman Scott Brosius’ glove.

“My teammates were teasing me, saying that I’m still hitting the ball hard, so don’t retire,” Javier said.

The Mariners are Javier’s eighth major league team. He spent most of his career with the Oakland A’s, including the 1989 season when the A’s won the World Series.

“I’m so happy I ended my career in Seattle,” he said. “The city and the fans and the organization are the best in baseball.”

Buhner, who worked his way back from a foot injury and rejoined the Mariners in September, said it was well worth the effort.

“It’s always worth it,” he said. “Any time you can get back on the field of play and compete, it’s always worth it.”

But whether it’s worth another year of rigorous training to stay in playing condition, Buhner doesn’t know.

“Based on the way I feel right now, I think I got just about everything out of my body that I could get,” he said.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s finished.

“I’m not going to think about it yet,” Buhner said. “I’m still kind of numb about what just happened here. I want to talk to my family and fish a little bit.

“But who knows? I may be fishing for a long time.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Tulalip Heritage’s JJ Gray makes a layup during the winner-to-state playoff game against Muckleshoot Tribal School on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Hawks beat ‘brothers from the south’ to earn state bid.

Tulalip Heritage wins Tri-District game, pride against Muckleshoot Tribal School.

Stanwood junior Ellalee Wortham (2) lunges toward the basket past several Monroe defenders to attempt an underhand layup in the Girls 3A Basketball District 1 semifinals at Marysville Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Washington on Feb. 18, 2025. Wortham scored 33 points in the 59-41 win for the Spartans, eclipsing 1,000 career points. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Wortham hits 1,000 career points, leads Stanwood to state

A 33-point outing led to a 59-41 win against Monroe in the Girls 3A District 1 semifinals.

Shorecrest senior Cassie Chesnut attempts a free throw in the Scots' 47-23 win against Snohomish in the Girls 3A Basketball District 1 semifinals at Marysville Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Washington on Feb. 18, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Shorecrest girls basketball upsets Snohomish in District 1 3A semis

An 18-0 third-quarter run allows Scots to blow by top-seeded Panthers 47-23.

Arlington junior Tre Haines stands atop the podium after winning the District 1 Boys 4A Wrestling 157-pound championship on Feb. 8 in Mill Creek, Washington. Lake Stevens senior Jarrell David placed second, Arlington junior Marquell Butler placed third and Lake Stevens sophomore Felix Ramsey placed fourth in the weight class. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald).
Arlington’s Tre Haines embraces pressure on path for glory

The two-time state wrestling champion will aim to ‘3-peat’ at Mat Classic XXXVI this weekend.

The Shorewood bench reacts to 3-point shot during the 3A district playoff game against Shorecrest on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep girls basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 18

Meadowdale, Shorewood keep state hopes alive.

The Arlington bench reacts to a three point shot during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 18

Arlington, GP punch state tickets.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 9-15

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 9-15. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Jim Moore: New M’s TV analyst Angie Mentink will silence the doubters

Angie Mentink steps in broadcast booth to fill void left by Dave Sims’ departure.

Tips Week in Review: Everett splits at Prince George, beats Victoria

Eric Jamieson’s hat trick against Victoria highlights Presidents’ Day Weekend

Marysville Pilchuck’s Michael Smathers Jr. takes the ball up the court during a Feb. 7, 2025 home league game against Monroe. (Courtesy of Spencer Janzen)
Marysville Pilchuck’s Michael Smathers Jr. stars in freshman season

The guard averaged 19 points per game for the Tomahawks this season.

Everett qualifies 13 girls for Mat Classic

Mia Cianega wins at 190 as Seagulls place third at district wrestling tournament.

Arlington’s Leyton Martin puts three fingers in the air after making a three point shot during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 15

Leyton Martin’s triple-double leads Arlington to district win

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.