TORONTO (AP) – Shortstop Mike Bordick is retiring after 13 years in the major leagues, saying Sunday he’s “99.9 percent” sure he won’t play again.

“I think it’s kind of faltering,” the 38-year-old Bordick said of his skills. “I’d hate to sign on with somebody and not be able to give what I can.”

Bordick thought about retiring after last season, but said Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi persuaded him to sign with the Blue Jays. Ricciardi signed Bordick to his first professional contract in 1986.

“Last year, I was really thinking about it,” Bordick said.

“J.P. thought I could contribute and help these younger players. I had a blast. I left some things open. I thought if things didn’t work out in spring training or throughout the course of the year, I could hang them up. But I had so much fun this year being a part of this team, it felt really good. I just think it’s a good way to end it.”

The former University of Maine star spent his first seven years in Oakland, five full seasons with Baltimore and split the 2000 season playing with the Orioles and New York Mets. He returned to Baltimore after that season and played for the Orioles for two more seasons before signing with Toronto last December.

He said his greatest baseball memories are his World Series appearances with Oakland in 1990 and the New York Mets in 2000.

Bordick hit .274 with five home runs and 54 RBIs this season. He recorded his 1,500th career hit Saturday and finished his career with a .260 average, 91 homers and 626 RBIs.

Bordick finished last season with 110 consecutive games without an error and 543 consecutive errorless chances, both major league records for a shortstop.

He made an error in his first game with Toronto on his second chance, ending his run at 544 chances without an error.

Bordick said he might like to coach one day.

“I’ll certainly take some time to be with my family and do some things in the summer that I’ve never been able to do,” said Bordick, who has five kids. “Baseball has been part of life. I love it. I’ll always have a passion for it. If I can give something back, I’m definitely going to get involved one way or another.”

As Bordick left the clubhouse, many of his teammates said, ‘See you next year.”‘ But Bordick just smiled.

“Not many people can walk away and say they left their mark on the game. Having set the record last year for shortstops, he can say that,” Ricciardi said. “He definitely made a mark here. He made an impression on our young guys with his work ethic.”

AP-ES-09-29-03 1244EDT