(Associated Press)

'A Perfect Time to Walk Away'
Michael Jordan (pictured), saying he could no longer muster the mental energy to play another season, announced his retirement on Jan. 14. Despite losing its most marketable player, the NBA vows to push ahead despite the damage of a six-month long labor dispute.

The Gretzky Era Comes to End
Wayne Gretzky had the final assist of his career in the Rangers' 2-1 overtime loss to the Penguins on April 18. As he retires, Gretzky has 10 scoring titles, four Stanley Cups and nine MVP awards.

• Gallery

	(Associated Press)

Elway Says So Long to the NFL
One of the NFL's great quarterbacks left the game May 2 when Denver's John Elway officially retired. Elway, who is the only quarterback to retire after winning the Super Bowl, perhaps will be best remembered for his late-game comebacks.

• Elway's Career Statistics

Thompson Retires as Hoyas Coach
John Thompson , who brought Georgetown basketball to national prominence over the past quarter century, announced Jan. 8 that hewas leaving coaching . Longtime assistant Craig Esherick will take his place.

Hunter Retires, Returns to Capitals
After 1,407 games, 1,020 points and 3,565 penalty minutes in 19 seasons, Dale Hunter formally announced his retirement from the NHL on July 29. Hunter will return to the Capitals, a team he played with for 12 years, as a player development instructor.

• Former Cap Ciccarelli Retires

(File Photo)

After 17 Years, Graf Calls It a Career
Fighting back tears as she reflected on a career that included 22 Grand Slam singles titles and a record 377 weeks as the world's No. 1 player, Steffi Graf (pictured) announced Aug. 13 that she was retiring from tennis immediately. Graf, 30, played her final Grand Slam match in July against Lindsay Davenport in the Wimbledon finals, which Davenport won.

Irvan Retires After 13 Seasons
Ernie Irvan (pictured) decided to retire Sept. 3 from the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit. Irvan, who has suffered two head injuries in the past five years, said, "Physically, I feel good, but I believe that this is the right decision."

Boggs Says Farwell After 18 Seasons
Wade Boggs, who played 18 seasons in the majors and became the only player to get his 3,000-career hit with a home run, retired Nov. 11 and accepted a front office job with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

(Associated Press)

Barkley's Career Ends on Injury
Houston's Charles Barkley ruptured a tendon in his knee Dec. 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers. Barkley had surgery on Dec. 11 and said his career is over.

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