*Marlins RHP Fernandez announces retirement*
-------------------------------------------- 

MIAMI (Ticker) -- Florida Marlins righthander Alex Fernandez,
sidelined since early in the 2000 season with arm problems,
announced his retirement Wednesday. 

One of four holdovers from the Marlins' 1997 World Series
championship team, Fernandez last pitched for Florida on May 18,
2000 before being sidelined with elbow problems. 

Fernandez, who also has battled shoulder problems, finished his
career with a 107-87 record and 3.74 ERA in 263 games.  He spent
the first seven years of his career with the Chicago White Sox
before joining the Marlins. 

"I have had a great career which was highlighted by a world
championship in 1997 with the Marlins," said Fernandez, who
starred at the University of Miami. "I would like to thank the
Marlins organization for allowing me the opportunity to finish
the career in front of my family, friends and the fans of South
Florida." 

"Alex has been determined to make a complete comeback from his
injuries," Marlins president-general manager Dave Dombrowski
said. "He has not only been a bulldog on the mound but in his
rehabilitation to achieve his goal. It is unfortunate that he
has not been able to achieve his goal and return to the game." 

In his first season with the Marlins in 1997 after signing a
five-year, $35 million deal, Fernandez helped the club to its
only championship by going 17-12 with a 3.59 ERA in 32 starts. 
He was the winning pitcher in Game Three of the National
Division Series against San Francisco as the Marlins completed a
sweep. 

But after that successful season, Fernandez missed the entire
1999 campaign with a torn right rotator cuff. He returned the
following year and went 7-8 with a 3.38 ERA in 24 starts. 

In his final season in 2000, Fernandez went 4-4 with a 4.13 ERA
in eight starts. 

Catcher Charles Johnson, outfielder Cliff Floyd and reliever
Antonio Alfonseca are the only Marlins remaining from the 1997
championship team which was dismantled for financial purposes. 

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