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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 7:21 p.m., Sunday, June 24, 2007

Saint Louis grad Santos retiring from baseball

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

After nine pro seasons, including three games in the big leagues, Chad Santos decided to retire from baseball after getting released June 1 from the San Francisco Giants organization.

At 25, Santos, who returned here June 2, is still young enough to look for another organization, considering his track record in Triple A the past five years. But he said he was tired of moving his family around. His daughter turns six in a couple of weeks and his son is almost 9 months old. The left-handed hitting first baseman was released from Triple-A Fresno (Cailf.), where he was hitting .243 with seven doubles, four home runs and 15 RBI in 33 games.

"It was time," Santos said.

Santos was drafted in the 22nd round and signed by the Kansas City Royals after graduating from Saint Louis School in 1999. He joined the Giants last season as a minor league free agent. He had a brief call-up with the Giants last summer. He was 3 for 7 with a home run and two RBIs. Although he felt he proved himself, he was still optioned back to the minors.

Despite not being to return to the majors, Santos said he has no regrets, adding he gave it his best shot.

"I'm happy I lasted this long," he said.