ARLINGTON, Texas — Nolan Ryan is leaving the Texas Rangers again, stepping down as the CEO 20 years after ending his Hall of Fame career as a pitcher.

In what the team called a retirement, Ryan said Thursday that he’s resigning as chief executive in a move effective at the end of this month. He’s also selling his ownership stake in the team to co-chairmen Ray Davis and Bob Simpson.

“It closes a chapter of my life in baseball,” Ryan said. “I feel like it’s time for me to move on to other things. It’s been a decision that weighed on me heavily but I feel like it’s the right decision. … At this point and time it’s the correct thing for me to do.”

Asked about the difference in the team announcing that he was retiring and him calling it a resignation, Ryan, 66, paused and then said he wouldn’t be the CEO of another major league team and called this perhaps the “final chapter” of his storied career in baseball.

Ryan’s older son, Reid, was named president of the Houston Astros earlier this year. Nolan Ryan dismissed any speculation that he’s leaving the Rangers to join his son and another of the teams he pitched for and worked for in the past.

Ryan became the 10th president of the Rangers in February 2008 when he was hired by the former owner, Tom Hicks. Ryan added the title of CEO three years later.

TWINS: Joe Mauer was named the team’s most valuable player for the third time in five years.

Glen Perkins was picked as pitcher of the year, Caleb Thielbar was named outstanding rookie, Brian Dozier got the most improved player and media good guy awards, Pedro Florimon was voted best defensive player, and Justin Morneau got the Bob Allison Award for leadership despite being traded in August.

DODGERS: Los Angeles claimed outfielder Mike Baxter from the New York Mets and designated outfielder Alex Castellanos for assignment.

Baxter hit .229 while playing at all three outfield positions as well as first base in 194 games with San Diego (2010) and the Mets (2011-13).

CUBS: A person familiar with the situation said the team interviewed Tampa Bay Rays bench coach Dave Martinez for its manager’s job.

The Cubs are looking for a manager to help develop their young players, a big reason they cited for firing Dale Sveum. He was 127-197 over two seasons.

PHILLIES: Wally Joyner and Juan Samuel are returning as coaches under Manager Ryne Sandberg.

Joyner will continue in his role as assistant hitting coach. Samuel heads into his fourth season with the team and second as first-base coach.