Cobi Jones “Rethinking Retirement”?

By: Laurie | September 26th, 2007

If you were Cobi Jones, would you like this season and the Beckham fiasco to be what you were remembered for?

Yeah, me neither. And Cobi apparently agrees with us. There’s at least a small chance he’s hoping for a different swan song.

According to Billy Witz at LA Daily News:

“While he still plans to retire at the end of the year, his 12th season with the team, Jones says he’s leaving the door open to returning for another season.

“I know I can still play,” he said Tuesday. “It definitely plays a factor that the season is not going well. It would bend my attitude in that way. It’s like, man, this isn’t the right way to go out.” …

Jones said he’s had one conversation with Lalas about coming back and the subject was left open. “The way he’s played has made this much more than just speculation,” Lalas said. …

“Everybody says not to (retire),” said Jones, who, this side of David Beckham, draws by far the loudest ovations from Galaxy fans. “I hear time and time again from a lot of people. I hear it constantly. Everyday.

“Anybody who is retiring from their sport finds it hard, you’ve been doing it for so long and it’s your life, so yeah, it makes it difficult.”

This isn’t just an emotion-based thing, this is a leadership and quality-of-play thing. As the country song says, he ain’t as good as he once was, but he’s as good once as he ever was. He can still come in off the bench and change the game. Hell, he can start and change the game. (But I’m sure he feels it in the morning.)

Stay, Cobi! Stay!

(P.S. Do you love the retro photo?)

Some Related Galaxy Posts:

Category: Player News

« Vote for Chris Klein’s Goal of the Week | Home | Caption This Photo »

ZMan

13th would only be fitting. 1 more!
mel

I agree, he should stay. He can pop on over to the HDC bat cave and have a chat with Preki on how to stay fit. I'd even vote for him to get Landon's inevitable DP slot cause I think Cobi's the one who really inspires the rest of the team.
Linda

You've got to be kidding. Have you seen Cobi play this year? He always gives his all for the team. I remember one game that he came in the 2nd half and organized the team so they played better. It was crashing and burning before that moment. What a difference he does for the Gs. Come back Cobi - 1 more year!!! Hopefully it can't be any worse than these 2 last years.
Charly

Woooww, more cool with Cobi please, he's a great soccer player, why criticize him ? He brings so much for the Galaxy and we need him one year more, if you're don't like Cobi, shut up and respect him !

++
Charly
Greg

When did the Galaxy sign Cobi Bryant? And why would they want him? He plays basketball.
Laurie

Whoa, this is a tough crowd.

For the record, Cobi's only making $95,000 this year. He took a huge pay cut, from $210,000 including bonuses, to stay another year.

I personally think he's worth that.
Bob

Give him a rocking chair, retire his jersey and push him out the door.
matt

hah...another horrible move by lalas if they keep him.
Todd Pounds

Devil's advocate... If you have a "more healthy" player with his salary next year wouldn't that be better than going into the 2008 with a Cobi Jones that you know will miss 5-10 games! Maybe take that $200,000, or whatever Cobi makes, and go out and get someone else???