OAKLAND, Calif. Dan Feeney Youth Jersey . -- Ted Lilly would have loved to keep pitching -- if his body would allow him to start every fifth day, and if he could stay off the disabled list. Instead, the 37-year-old left-hander is retiring after 15 seasons because of further problems with his shoulder and back. He went to winter ball in Venezuela this month with the hope his body would co-operate and he could find a major league job. But Lilly didnt feel right, and he made just one three-inning appearance during a 20-day stint in Valencia. He would have pitched again except he got food poisoning. "It came to a point that, unfortunately, the reality set in where I was in terms of health and effectiveness," Lilly said by phone Friday. "Those combinations are what forced me to retire. If I felt I could still be productive and healthy, I would be playing, for sure. As of today, I dont think its reasonable. I didnt believe I would be able to go out there and be productive and effective for a major league team and stay healthy to make 30 starts." He returned home to California on Wednesday night, and looks forward to spending time with his wife and two young children. A two-time All-Star, Lilly was 130-113 with a 4.14 ERA in parts of 15 major league seasons. He pitched for Montreal, Oakland, Toronto, the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs and Dodgers. He has struggled with the idea of retirement for months, even though his shoulder didnt recover well. Designated for assignment by the Dodgers -- the team that selected him in the 23rd round of the 1996 amateur draft -- on July 25, Lily first tried rest. Late in the season, he saw a spine specialist in Los Angeles and underwent surgery to cauterize the nerve endings in the right side of his neck. He was limited to 13 starts the past two seasons for Los Angeles because of injury problems, going 0-2 with a 5.09 ERA in five 2013 starts. "As I sit here right now Im OK but its been difficult for weeks because Ive had to deal with those thoughts and avoid those thoughts for a long time, and continue to talk myself into it that I could find a way to do it," he said. "I really do not want to spend more time on the disabled list. Ive spent so much time on that dreaded list. It really came down to a matter of being effective. If I believed could produce, I would still pitch. So, it was a decision that was forced on me at where I was physically in my career." He expects to do coach down the line, probably at the youth baseball level initially. Lilly is left to cherish the relationships and friendships he made with both teammates and opponents. "I was so lucky, the game of baseball really changed my life," he said. "I know a lot of ex-players say that or people who are playing the game, and its true. Baseball has been my life for so many years in some facet or the other I hope to continue to stay close to the game. Its a game that I love." Mike Williams Youth Jersey .J. Ellis hit an RBI single in the ninth inning, Hanley Ramirez hit a tape-measure, three-run homer in the first against Cliff Lee and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 on Saturday night. Forrest Lamp Youth Jersey . -- Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice tweeted an apparent goodbye after a report about his pending release. OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta returned to the practice field Wednesday, nearly four months after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured and dislocated hip. The injury occurred on the second day of training camp, when Pitta and safety James Ihedigbo collided in the end zone in pursuit of a high pass. Pitta landed awkwardly on his side and had to be carted off the field. Pitta underwent surgery that night and was subsequently placed on injured reserve with a designated-to-return tag. Although it initially appeared Pitta was too hurt to play this season, he worked diligently in the training room and his efforts paid off when he joined his teammates at practice. "It feels awesome to be able to get back and be in meetings with the guys and hit the field a little bit," he said. "I feel great. Im going to take it slow, though, and make sure I can kind of integrate myself back in." The Ravens desperately miss Pitta, who had 69 catches for 669 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He topped that off wwith 14 receptions in the post-season, including a touchdown catch in Baltimores 34-31 win over San Francisco in the Super Bowl. Dan Feeney Jersey. "Nothing against our receivers, tight ends or anybody, but anytime you lose a good player thats been a big part of what weve done around here, you miss something," quarterback Joe Flacco said. The Ravens (4-6) own the leagues 30th-ranked offence, and their tight ends have only three touchdown catches. There are no guarantees that Pitta will be able to return this season. But now there is hope. "It was great to see him out there, great to see him in the meeting room," coach John Harbaugh said. "Hes done a great job with the rehab. It will be interesting to see how he comes along in practice." Pitta is delighted to be back on the field, but its going to be a while before he knows if he can play in a game. "Ive got to be able to play at an elite level," he said. "Well see how the next few weeks go, see how I progress and how Im doing on the field." Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '