Canberra Cavalry chief executive Donn McMichael pleaded with legendary Australian Baseball League pitcher Brian Grening not to retire last season.
But Grening couldn't be swayed and instead he'll become the first Cavalry player to have their number retired at Canberra's home series opener against Brisbane on Thursday.
Legendary pitcher Brian Grening will become the first Canberra Cavalry to have their number retired. Credit: Jamila Toderas
The 33-year-old admitted there weren't any physical ailments that forced him to hang up the glove but rather felt he'd achieved everything he set out to in the sport.
Grening is still heavily involved at the club as the pitching coach and is just as busy at home raising his newborn son Judah.
Grening joined the Cavalry for the 2011-12 season and played every summer until his final game in the ABL championship series against Brisbane in February.
He played an integral role in Canberra's first and only championship in the 2012-13 season and later that year they became the first club outside Japan and Korea to win the Asia Series.
The American has settled in Canberra and said it was an incredible feeling to become the first Cavalry player to get their number retired.
"It's a huge honour, this is my career team, I played longer here than I have anywhere, I have a family here, to solidify my time with something like that and to be the first player to have it done is probably the greatest honour I can think of," Grening said.
"I was content with what I'd done in my career, I'd exhausted every opportunity and it's been fun so there's no real looking back, it's all looking forward and enjoying still being around the game.
"The highlights would be the 12-13 ABL championship series and the 13-14 Asian Series and then probably our championship run last year and we came up short but it was still a pretty awesome gig.
"My best game was probably last year against Melbourne, I went head to head with Mark Hamburger and came out on top. We both threw really well, it was a tight game and actually set a record for the quickest game."
McMichael said there was nobody more deserving of getting their number retired than Grening.
"Brian is our culture. He absolutely epitomises everything we're about," McMichael said.
Canberra Cavalry pitching coach Brian Grening.Credit: Jamila Toderas
"Everything he's given the Cavalry and not just on the field but in terms of recruiting and culture he's just been exemplary, he's been our No. 1 performer.
"I tried very hard to convince him to play on because he has threes year left in him. So it's disappointing for us but he's gone out on top and you can't want for more than that for a guy like him."
Grening said the transition into coaching had been smoother than he expected but admitted it was tougher than playing.
"You work about 10 times harder, instead of worrying about one person you're worried about 12 and if they don't do well I blame myself," Grening said.
"I think I missed something or didn't say something so I take on more of burden but at the same time I'm not the one with the ball, the pressure is on them."
Grening said he couldn't wait to get back to the $5 million redevelopment Narrabunda Ballpark this week and host three-time defending ABL champions Brisbane.
"We've been on the road just grinding and trying to get to know each other and we’ve had an awesome time but we’ve been missing being in Canberra," Grening said.
"Our ballpark is best stadium in ABL and we truly, 100 per cent guaranteed, no debating have the best fans in the ABL.
"You go to all these other places and it's like a library. In Canberra there's noise and the fans are on top of you and you can tell they're watching closely and you just don't get that vibe anywhere else.
"It was an absolute pleasure to play for them."
AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE
Thursday: Canberra Cavalry v Brisbane Bandits at Narrabundah Ballpark, 7pm.
Friday: Canberra Cavalry v Brisbane Bandits at Narrabundah Ballpark, 7pm.
Saturday: Canberra Cavalry v Brisbane Bandits at Narrabundah Ballpark, 7pm.
Sunday: Canberra Cavalry v Brisbane Bandits at Narrabundah Ballpark, 12pm.