Journeyman Frank Catalanotto is not "officially" retired yet, but today he told David Lennon of Newsday that he's through playing (Twitter link). Catalanotto has a part-time gig coaching Team Italy, and he's in demand for television and radio work.
The 36-year-old carved out a big league career that spanned 14 seasons by being a left-handed bat and versatile. Catalanotto owns a more than respectable .291/.357/.445 batting line with 84 career homers, and he played every position other than pitcher, catcher, shortstop, and center field at one time or another. His best season came with the Rangers in 2001, when he hit .330/.391/.490 with 11 homers, 31 doubles, and just 55 strikeouts in 512 plate appearances.
Catalanotto broke camp with the Mets as a bench player last year, hitting .160/.192/.200 in 26 plate appearances before being designated for assignment in May. He first hinted at retirement shortly thereafter. Catalanotto played for the Tigers, Rangers (two stints), Blue Jays, and Brewers in addition to the Mets, and Baseball-Reference.com has his career earnings at just north of $22MM.
Too bad, I always kinda liked the guy, despite the fact that he always killed against Red Sox pitching.
right? it was so annoying when he came to the plate in boston, because you knew he was about to magically become a hall of famer for a day
.314/.378/.514 with 11 HRs in 400 ABs against the red sox. .310/.371/.530 in fenway
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Good little player but a head case
A head case? Everything that I’ve ever heard about him was that he was a great guy. At least the entire time he was in Toronto he never acted out or said anything that would be remotely close to a “head case”.
Agreed. The Cat always seemed to be a solid hard-working team guy. I always enjoyed watching him play.
I always support my Long Island Boys!! Now, he can join future HOF Craig Biggio in retirement. He was great against the bloody Sox as well. Long live Frankie!! I wonder…what do you think Billy Koch is doing these days…
I think Billy and his family were diagnosed with a rare and “unofficial” disease called Morgellon’s Disease. Crazy stuff… I hope the Koch family is doing well.
I never heard of that disease until you mentioned it. I just randomly threw Billy’s name out there. I seriously do hope that the Koch family are doing well!!
I never heard of it either. Unofficial diseases are always the scariest.
Morgellons Disease is often diagnosed as delusional parasitosis, which is the belief that the patient is infested with parasites when they actually aren’t. It’s more of just a mental thing than anything and unfortunately for a lot of Morgellons, they reject the diagnosis and medication prescribed because they think they’re crazy if they take it. And so they just continue to freak out about it and nobody can offer them any relief from it.
I am not claiming to a be an expert, just saying what I have heard… Very well could be a mental condition. Either way, scary stuff.
Oh yeah, I was just kinda adding on. I was wondering about him years ago myself and looked it up, so there’s probably way more information out there right now about it. From some of the interviews with his wife, they seem to be in that group that rejected the diagnosis and medication.
Anything anyone did in 2001 should be looked upon with suspicion.
i know, right? all of a sudden after being a 10 HR hitter he hits 11? RED FLAG
You got to not even think of 2001. 2001 is 1 year, and he was not in the Mitchell Report or anything. He was clean all the long. Just congraduate him for his fantastic career. He is going to be a great coach.
Can’t believe a career 300 hitter hit 330 in TEXAS
forgot he existed
Although not official “The Cat” will be missed by Jay fans around the globe. A great team player with an even bigger heart.
Josie’s on a vacation far away Come around and talk it over So many things that I’d like to say You know I like my girls a little bit older I just wanna use your love tonight I don’t wanna lose your love tonight
I’ll always remember that time he went 6-for-6 as a Jay.