Headlines

  • Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin
  • Yordan Alvarez Shut Down Due To Setback With Hand Injury
  • Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib
  • Tucker Barnhart To Retire
  • Tyler Mahle To Be Sidelined Beyond Trade Deadline
  • Reds Release Jeimer Candelario
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Jody Gerut Retires

By Mike Axisa | February 27, 2011 at 10:45am CDT

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.

Share 7 Retweet 24 Send via email0

Seattle Mariners Jody Gerut

Cafardo’s Latest: Peavy, Gonzalez, Molina, Beltre
Main
Olney’s Latest: Marlins, Padres, Cardinals, ChiSox
View Comments (55)
Post a Comment

55 Comments

  1. 3rdStrike

    14 years ago

    Farewell Jody. We’ll always remember you here in NY

    Reply
  2. Green_Monster

    14 years ago

    “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”

    Reply
    • Fifty_Five

      14 years ago

      I don’t think thats why he quit

      Reply
      • Green_Monster

        14 years ago

        Ok, why do you think he quit?

        Reply
        • Fifty_Five

          14 years ago

          He doesn’t want to go through another season? Who quits because they’re afraid of making a fool of himself

          Reply
    • safari_punch

      14 years ago

      Or he doesn’t like the thought of what his pay will be if he were to break camp with an MLB team.

      Reply
      • Chrisn313 2

        14 years ago

        I’m sure you would salivate over said thought, so perhaps hang on to thoughts like that next time huh?

        Reply
    • The_Silver_Stacker

      14 years ago

      I wish there was a dislike button for that comment

      Reply
    • Sixto_Lezcano

      14 years ago

      You do realize that a player can be absolutely terrible and still make millions of dollars, right?

      Reply
  3. adropofvenom

    14 years ago

    Career Highlight: Hitting 1st Home Run ever in Citi Field (as the 1st batter in the 1st game)

    Reply
    • icedrake523

      14 years ago

      And he has Mike Pelfrey to thank for that.

      Reply
  4. Israel Piedra

    14 years ago

    I hope he was saving his money…

    Reply
    • TigersLoveCinnamon

      14 years ago

      He made 5 mill, he didnt need to save that much

      Reply
  5. Paul

    14 years ago

    We really need the season to start….

    Reply
  6. notsureifsrs

    14 years ago

    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

    Reply
    • JerseyJohn32190

      14 years ago

      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.

      Reply
      • notsureifsrs

        14 years ago

        probably true

        but dude, baseball! for money!

        Reply
        • Chrisn313 2

          14 years ago

          Word

          Reply
    • gangsta

      14 years ago

      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

      Reply
      • none none

        14 years ago

        You don’t have to, you just chose to Mr. Bonds.

        Reply
    • Onewildman

      14 years ago

      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.

      Reply
  7. basemonkey

    14 years ago

    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.

    Reply
    • Shawn K

      14 years ago

      I whole-heartedly agree with the first part of what you said. But David Wells says hello.

      Reply
    • jdub220

      14 years ago

      “The worst major leaguer is better at baseball than I’ll ever be at anything I ever do in my life.”

      /stolenquote

      Reply
  8. Rich Bowering

    14 years ago

    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.

    Reply
  9. Rich Bowering

    14 years ago

    Agreed. Also, who knows — he might take a year off to clear his head out, and then attempt a comeback, as Kapler did.

    Reply
  10. sportsnut969

    14 years ago

    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.

    Reply
  11. dl_mcalpine

    14 years ago

    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?

    Reply
  12. The Lawgiver

    14 years ago

    Career highlight: Hitting for the cycle last year with the Brewers.

    Reply
  13. coach_coryell

    14 years ago

    It should probably be mentioned that major knee injuries derailed his career almost as soon as it began.

    Reply
  14. damnitsderek

    14 years ago

    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.

    Reply
  15. J. Michael Warren

    14 years ago

    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.

    Reply
    • bomberj11

      14 years ago

      Classy as ever I see.

      Reply
  16. m4r1n3r

    14 years ago

    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.

    Reply
  17. omavricko

    14 years ago

    I swear he played for the mariners for a season

    Reply
  18. Lawschoolsucks

    14 years ago

    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.

    Reply
  19. StevenStCroix

    14 years ago

    This guy owns Jon Rauch

    Reply
    • HerbertAnchovy

      14 years ago

      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.

      Reply
  20. straightuphonestguy

    14 years ago

    You were the highlight of the Padres’ 2008 season Jody. Thanks for stopping by.

    Reply
    • coup

      14 years ago

      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.

      Reply
  21. pirates20

    14 years ago

    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.

    Reply
  22. JaySchu

    14 years ago

    Such selflessness will cement his chances with the Hall of Fame.

    Reply
  23. sourbob

    14 years ago

    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.

    Reply
    • Chrisn313 2

      14 years ago

      Amen.

      Reply
    • coup

      14 years ago

      Very well put.

      Reply
  24. ugotrpk3113

    14 years ago

    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.

    Reply
  25. padreshobo

    14 years ago

    You should aspire to be less of a douche.

    Reply
  26. heliosphan

    14 years ago

    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.

    Reply
  27. fivebeesforaquarter

    14 years ago

    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.

    Reply
  28. Cam Marr

    14 years ago

    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!

    Reply
  29. Carlote!!!

    14 years ago

    He´s one of my favorites, is a shame that he´s retiring

    Reply
  30. Logjammer D"Baggagecling

    14 years ago

    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.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin

    Yordan Alvarez Shut Down Due To Setback With Hand Injury

    Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib

    Tucker Barnhart To Retire

    Tyler Mahle To Be Sidelined Beyond Trade Deadline

    Reds Release Jeimer Candelario

    Dave Parker Passes Away

    Griffin Canning Diagnosed With Ruptured Achilles

    Pirates Reportedly Have Very Few Untouchable Players At Trade Deadline

    Griffin Canning Believed To Have Suffered Achilles Injury

    Mariners Looking For Corner Infield Bats; Ownership Willing To Bump Payroll

    Wander Franco Found Guilty Of Sexual Abuse

    Mariners Place Rowdy Tellez On Release Waivers

    Max Meyer To Undergo Season-Ending Hip Surgery

    Whit Merrifield Announces Retirement

    White Sox Sign Noah Syndergaard To Minor League Deal

    Corbin Carroll Placed On IL With Wrist Fracture

    Hoops Rumors Has The Latest On NBA Draft, Free Agency

    Mets Option Francisco Alvarez

    Reds To Promote Chase Burns For MLB Debut

    Recent

    Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin

    Mets Trade Donovan Walton To Phillies

    Colin Poche Elects Free Agency

    Trey Mancini Opts Out Of D-Backs Deal

    Padres To Select Eduarniel Nunez

    Brewers’ Connor Thomas To Undergo Elbow Surgery

    Yordan Alvarez Shut Down Due To Setback With Hand Injury

    Jorge Mateo To Miss 8 To 12 Weeks With Hamstring Strain

    Reds To Sign Buck Farmer To Minor League Deal

    Pirates Trade Hunter Stratton To Braves

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Alex Bregman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version