Scot Shields, one of the premier setup artists of the past decade, announced his retirement on Friday, according to an MLB.com report. "I am very thankful to have had the privilege and opportunity to play this great game at the Major League level," Shields said in a statement issued by the Angels. "I retire with memories and experiences I will carry with me the rest of my life and for that I am extremely grateful. "I do not think it's possible to express my respect and admiration for so many teammates I had the privilege to play with through the years. The lifetime friendships created are one of the great rewards of my career."