Mariners outfielder Jody Gerut announced his retirement today, saying that he was no longer into the game mentally and couldn't give it his all according to MyNorthwest.com's Shannon Drayer. "I didn't want to be a player that plays for only his paycheck," said Gerut according to MLB.com's Greg Johns (Twitter links).
Gerut, 33, originally broke in with the Indians back in 2003 after being a second round pick of the Rockies in 1998. He hit .279/.336/.494 with 22 homers and 33 doubles in 525 plate appearances as a rookie, but followed it up with a disappointing .252/.334/.405 season in 2004. Gerut bounced from the Indians to the Cubs to the Pirates before being out of the game completely in 2006 and 2007.
After signing a minor league contract with the Padres in 2008, Gerut resurfaced with a .296/.351/.494 season. He also spent time with the Brewers and is a career .262/.325/.433 hitter with 59 homers in just under 2,000 plate appearances. Gerut hit for the cycle last May, and he also hit the first homerun in CitiField history (as the game's first batter). Baseball-Reference.com has his career earnings at just over $5.1MM.
Farewell Jody. We’ll always remember you here in NY
“I didn’t want to be a player that plays for only his paycheck”
Oh come on. In other words he said “I stink now, and don’t want to make a fool of myself”
I don’t think thats why he quit
Ok, why do you think he quit?
He doesn’t want to go through another season? Who quits because they’re afraid of making a fool of himself
Or he doesn’t like the thought of what his pay will be if he were to break camp with an MLB team.
I’m sure you would salivate over said thought, so perhaps hang on to thoughts like that next time huh?
I wish there was a dislike button for that comment
You do realize that a player can be absolutely terrible and still make millions of dollars, right?
Career Highlight: Hitting 1st Home Run ever in Citi Field (as the 1st batter in the 1st game)
And he has Mike Pelfrey to thank for that.
I hope he was saving his money…
He made 5 mill, he didnt need to save that much
We really need the season to start….
maybe it’s because i never played pro, but as a fan i just can’t understand not being interested in playing baseball every damn day for money anymore. that gig would never get old for me
not hating on the guy’s choice; i just can’t get my head around it
Also having never played professionally, I’d imagine it has more to do with getting in shape for the season and spending months away from his family than the actual game itself. It probably takes a lot more than us fans realize to be fully committed for a 162 game season.
probably true
but dude, baseball! for money!
Word
Having played baseball professionally, its not as easy as it seems and you have to sacrifice your body and in my case your reputation
love,
barry bonds
You don’t have to, you just chose to Mr. Bonds.
As a Stanford Graduate Jody Gerut is set for life and money is just a number. At 33, he walks away from big money. This is nothing new to Stanford Alumni.
Andrew Luck passed up $55 mil or so to return to school and graduate.
Toby Gerhart passed up guaranteed money and a more lucrative contract, by opting to longer play baseball. His signing bonus in MLB alone, would have been more than his entire rookie contract (selected in the 2nd round) in the NFL
Mike Mussina walked away from $16 mil. coming off one of his better seasons.
The list goes on and on. Ed Sprague, Jeffrey Hammonds, Jack McDowell, Kyle Peterson… All of them pass on money to pursue other endeavors.
Truthfully to us common folk $5.1 million is an astronomical number. But when you go to Stanford and your classmate invents Google. Then really what impact have you had in the world.
I always marvel at how, in spite of how gifted and talented he was, even though Jody wasn’t even an average majorleaguer, he is still probably an athlete in the top rung of health, strength, and stamina than anyone on, say, this board right now.
It just goes to show us that anyone who was good enough to play in the majors in any capacity is a great athlete. Period.
I whole-heartedly agree with the first part of what you said. But David Wells says hello.
“The worst major leaguer is better at baseball than I’ll ever be at anything I ever do in my life.”
/stolenquote
Best wishes to Gerut. I always liked him and his style of play, and could never figure out why he had become untracked the way he did – I saw him as a young guy who, given the right circumstances, could have had a long and successful career…but it looks like that’s not his game plan.
One thing to remember is that he is a brilliant guy with a Stanford education, and he probably has his future plans in order a la fellow early-retiree Warren Morris. I don’t see him sitting around the house and golfing every day.
Agreed. Also, who knows — he might take a year off to clear his head out, and then attempt a comeback, as Kapler did.
Well I was able to meet Jody a couple of time I had a friend who played for the Indians I found him to be a very humble person and for the Arse in one of the listings above you are a sad little man and it comes through in your listing I feel sorry for your friends and family who must deal with you daily.
Jody is a extremely smart guy very well educated for those who do not know him, he will land on his feet I’m sure of that.
Jody good luck from Cleveland and the Cleveland Indians fan base.
he wasn’t going to get any playing time anyway, nobody would trade for him, if he was released he would be looking at playing in the independent league, so what were his true options?
Career highlight: Hitting for the cycle last year with the Brewers.
It should probably be mentioned that major knee injuries derailed his career almost as soon as it began.
Really? For being honest with himself and retiring from the game in order to do something else that he can hopefully have a bigger passion for? For not taking the roster spot of somebody who still enjoys the game on all levels? For retiring respectfully and graciously? For making a decision that enables him to spend more time with his family?
Come on, dude. Grow up.
Gerut retired? Hmm . . . I thought he retired a few years ago. Ah well, I guess I’d retire too if all I could do was be a minor league utility player in my 30’s.
Classy as ever I see.
With Guti’s health in question this really blows. I respect the decision but its just fitting for this to happen to the M’s. The curse goes on.
I swear he played for the mariners for a season
I enjoyed watching the early part of his career with the Indians. Seems like a class act. Pretty sure he went to Stanford (?) –In any case I remember reading he’s a really smart dude also so I’m sure he’ll probably get a job in baseball operations if he wants it.
This guy owns Jon Rauch
Literally? Like Rauch will only be at Jays games if he has written permission from Gerut?
Okay, to clarify things for anyone- I am joking.
You were the highlight of the Padres’ 2008 season Jody. Thanks for stopping by.
Aint that the truth. Jody was so good in so many ways for the Padres in 2008. He did it all that year. Even if it wasn’t a full season due to Jim Edmonds starting out as Padres CF that year.
He’ll be back….. No baseball player with athleticism still left in the tank, going through a minor psychological setback never seems to fully call it quits (especially considering his age). I know when he mirrors on past memories of baseball during his off year he’ll be more invoked than ever. But as of now though I am just as perplexed as the rest of you.
Such selflessness will cement his chances with the Hall of Fame.
Gerut was a classy guy who wrote several columns early on in his career that demonstrated what a quality human being he was, with tremendous respect for the game. It’s sad that so many trolls took his retirement as an opportunity for crapulent jokes and potshots.
Gerut is a good guy who deserves better.
Amen.
Very well put.
We damn professional athletes for being selfish and having alternate motives to their actions, yet a bunch of you damn him for this decision? I don’t understand.
Regardless of his talents, he’s decided to call it a career because his mind is not in it. Props for being honest and truthful with himself.
You should aspire to be less of a douche.
I remember the game that he hit for the cycle, I think he had 6 or 7 RBI in that game too.
Also: I’m a Tigers fan and I know that he used to kill Tigers pitching when he played for Cleveland. Not that Detroit was sending big league pitching to the mound during Gerut’s best years.
I can’t believe I am submitting comment number 50(!) on the Jody Gerut retires post. Maybe goes to show, as others have pointed out, how talented you have to be to even be a middling MLer.
I will give this man his much do props, he’s not collecting a pacheck while he sucks, at least at looks like that he’s not pulling an albert belle, not that he made the big bucks. Classy move in what appears to be him walking away from the game oppose to messing up his team mates chances by playing games hes not 110% behind mentally and and happily. so like he said, he wont play just for money. go be happy jody. good man!
He´s one of my favorites, is a shame that he´s retiring
I’m shocked they even bothered to make this news.. he was crap his entire career.. the Highlight of his career was being traded from the Padres to the Brewers for Tony Gwynn Jr.
Agreed, the font was way too big
Not quite the Gil Meche route. Gil left millions on the table, but Jody is just retiring. I don’t know for sure, but he was probably on a minor league deal.
i like your name lol