Ex-major leaguer and Mets slugger Edgardo Alfonzo ends baseball career in Venezuela

Former major leaguer Edgardo Alfonzo ended his 20-year professional baseball career on Sunday.

"It's the right time to do it," said Alfonzo, a 39-year-old second and third baseman, speaking after playing his last game for los Navegantes, one of the most popular teams of Venezuela's professional winter league.

During a 12-year career in the majors, Alfonzo appeared in 1,506 games for San Francisco, Anaheim, Toronto and the New York Mets, finishing with a .284 average, 146 homers and 744 RBIs. Alfonzo was an All-Star with the Mets in 2000 and was on the team in their World Series appearance against the crosstown Yankees that year.

In Venezuela, Alfonzo played for los Navegantes for 15 seasons, winning three championships. He also played a season with the Aragua Tigers, helping them win a championship.

He represented Venezuela in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.