Former backstop Kevin Cash has decided to retire, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. While Cash will end his playing career, he'll remain involved in the game, having been hired by the Blue Jays as a Major League advance scout.
Cash, 34, spent the majority of his career playing for AL East clubs, including stints with the Jays, Rays, Red Sox, and Yankees. He also appeared in the bigs for the Astros in 2010. In parts of eight Major League seasons, Cash posted a .526 OPS in 714 plate appearances. Most recently, Tim Wakefield's former catcher hit .244/.350/.371 in 2011 at the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate in Round Rock.
In his new scouting role for Toronto, Cash will return to the organization that signed him as an amateur free agent in 1999. His first non-playing MLB job likely won't be his last — according to Cafardo, Cash is "one of those guys you always thought would wind up being a Major League manager."
I played college ball with a guy who proudly displayed his signed Kevin Cash bat in his living room, said he probably had one of the very few signed Kevin Cash bats. Not sure if he’d be sad to hear the news because Cash is no longer playing or happy because the bat’s probably now worth more than $3.
2 historic catchers retire in one weekend, sad.
Calling Cash “historic” is awfully kind of you. I’m sure if he read that, it’ll make him feel good. Even if it’s not true.
Or, unlike you, he’ll realize that he was being sarcastic and take offense to it. Or maybe he also happens to be embarrassingly clueless- you never know
I am a jays fan and I have no clue who he is so I must suck or he must have.
He’s mostly famous for breaking Jeters leg as a Jay on opening day 6 or 7 years ago.
What? That never happened. You’re thinking of Ken Huckaby, who was famous for separating Jeter’s shoulder with his knee on opening day in 2003. He was on the Blue Jays though…so you got something right.
Well then he’s famous for being mistaken for ken huckaby. Even better.
Didn’t Cash throw out like 4 attempted runners once as a Jay? (in one game)
I can’t remember Cash doing that, but I know Molina tossed out 4 base runners in Tampa back in 2010
Well, he did own a 44% pickoff rate in 2004 with the Jays in 60games. That might have been the year it happened, if it did
Is it weird that this is the first time I hear about this guy?
You must not follow baseball real close then
No. His life isn’t completely consumed by it. I usually don’t take real close note of .183 hitting third string catchers that averaged fewer than 100 PA’s per year that aren’t in my teams division or league (Cub fan). If he played for the Cards, Stros, Reds, Pirates or Brewers for at least 3-4 years I’d know who he is.
Cash seems to be just the kind of guy that after retiring he eventually becomes a lifelong minor league manager. Maybe eventually getting a shot on a big club as a base coach or interim manager. Nothing wrong with that life.
and you base that opinion on….? (though you’re right that it doesn’t sound like a bad life)
Even though he wasn’t an elite player, he played at the most elite level in the world. Something that many people can only dream about.
I always thought teams would find it disappointing when they traded for cash and he’d show up at their games.
Jokes aside, I wish him luck in his new position. I hope life after playing works out well for him.
I still can’t believe Theo traded for this loser a few years ago when he was with Houston. He should donate half of his major league earnings to Tim Wakefield.
No offense Luke, but I thought it was sad enough that Cafardo bothered to give mention to Cash retiring even…
MLB teams now will not have Cash to ring up, bring in and hit .175 and be otherwise utterly useless on the field for now on beside the ability to throw out baserunners.
He was a gamer and tried of course, just was abysmal as a ball player.
the original jeff mathis
Ohhhh… That’s not right! He hit better than “Premium”.
This guy has some amazing career post-season numbers. .333 career BA, 1.333 SLG and 1.667 OPS.
Kevin needs to unretire and sign with the Orioles so he can go 5 for 5 with the AL East teams.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
BUMMER
Kevin Cash has enough cash in his bank account that he could retire
All I remember him for is opening day 2003 when he broke Derek Jeter’s shoulder.
Wow, seriously? how did two people confuse him for Ken Huckaby?
Seems like it but the first guy said leg and now its the shoulder. I remember Cash for being traded to the Sox to catch Wakefield, kind of like Doug Mirabelli.
I think what we have learned today is that it’s been a while since the Jays had a catcher worth remembering
1 mistake in 250 comments..Oops? Maybe Kevin Cash should sign with the O’s so I remember him better…
This was news 5+ weeks ago when Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun announced it.
Cash will be the Jays’ first advance scout since Sal Butera held the position in 2004. The Jays have gone off video reports to scout opponents live.
“His first non-playing MLB job likely won’t be his last — according to Cafardo, Cash is “one of those guys you always thought would wind up being a Major League manager.””
I guess because he looked so natural sitting on the bench?
He cashed it in!
Man, this dude’s career numbers make Jeff Mathis look like Ted Williams!
And by that you mean Ted Williams the homeless guy that had the radio voice?