By Jehovah

We have previously noted the strange behaviour brought on in some multimillionaire sportsmen on account of religion. Not to knock on religion (although I am something of a militant agnostic, if that's not a contradiction in terms), but the media tends to only ever report the odder religious manifestations in the sporting world.

So. Enter Salomon Torres, the closer for the Milwaukee Brewers. Torres was not a star by any measure, but an important part in a Milwaukee team with a shaky bullpen. Today, he shocked the team by announcing his retirement and declining $3.75 million option on his contract for 2009. The reason? Torres wanted to concentrate on his faith and his family. He is a Jehovah's Witness.

"It's a small sacrifice I'm making. I know I'm doing the right thing. It might be a surprise to a lot of people and some might not understand, especially from a money standpoint. That shows you how determined I am to lead by life in another way... I am very confident I am doing the right thing."

Although fans of the Brewers might disagree, this has to be one of the more selfless acts in recent history. Consider - Torres was something of a journeyman, who had previously retired after the 1997 season following struggles on the mound with, amongst others, the Seattle Mariners (of course, you say!). He made something of an unlikely comeback in 2001. Baseball Reference puts his career earnings at $6.8 million over fourteen seasons through 2007 - not a huge amount, and one that could have been significantly enhanced by his option for 2009.

Certainly, Torres' decision trumps that of Carlos Roa, a Seventh Day Adventist who spurned an offer of a long term contract with Manchester United in 1999, and announced his retirement, as he thought the world was going to end. More a case of saving one's skin, you feel. Kudos to Salomon!