When you're an athlete with a lot of confidence in yourself, it's really hard to walk away from the limelight (not to say the $). Only an idiot would have quit last year with the contract that Hank gave him. Great decision to retire as a Yankee and not try to hang on with another team. I remember feeling really sad when Mantle, my childhood idol, couldn't walk away and let his career average slip below .300, about time!