Outfielder Craig Gentry, a veteran of 10 big league seasons, has retired at the age of 35, agent Bob Garber tells MLBTR. Gentry was with the Giants during Spring Training and signed a minor league contract with the Rockies last month. He played in only three games with Colorado’s Triple-A affiliate (and collected seven hits), however, before deciding to spend more time with his family rather than pursue a return to the Majors.
Though he was never a star or even an everyday player, the fleet-footed Gentry enjoyed a solid run as a defensive-minded platoon outfielder with the Rangers and A’s from 2011-14 — during which time he hit .278/.353/.355 with four homers, 35 doubles, nine triples and 75 steals. Paired with his strong glovework in the outfield, that performance checked in at 8.5 wins above replacement, per Fangraphs, and 9.6 WAR according to Baseball-Reference. Most recently, Gentry appeared in 145 games with the Orioles from 2017-18, hitting at a .265/.326/.362 clip in a familiar reserve outfielder’s role.
Gentry’s career will come to a close with a .262/.333/.339 batting line in 601 MLB games and 1402 plate appearances between the Rangers, A’s, Angels and Orioles. Defensive metrics were always bullish on him, as evidenced by a career +53 Defensive Runs Saved mark and a +31.9 Ultimate Zone Rating across all three outfield slots. The 2006 10th-round pick earned about $7MM in his playing career. Best wishes to Gentry in his post-playing days.
Great role player.
Had Ron Washington used him as he should have in game six of the 2011 World Series, the Rangers would have a title under their belt.
Don’t remind me
Craig was always fun to watch. Loved especially watching him on the bases.
And none of the fire Jon Daniels convo’s would be happening.
Just looked at the box score. Gentry started the game in CF and was pinch hit for after two ABs by Murph. So Gentry wasn’t an option for the 11th inning. Garcia, a lefty, was starting, so you don’t want Murphy in there initially.
It’d be cool if MLB actually gave out title belts that the players could wear onto the field, do promos with, etc
Downvote
You’re just mad because you didn’t think of it first
No. He’s not. Sigh
Heavily agreed upon…Baseball isn’t some scam that has to prove its worth… have some reverence for the greatest game ever created…smh
He deserved an everyday role with the Os. Before the rebuild he was better than Rikard
Happy Retirement Craig! Always a reliable guy, good not great. Wish him well in retirement
Always thought he deserved a bit more after his Rangers tenure. Nice solid career anyways
this guy would have been an all star in the 70s or 80s. he’s better than at least a few starters right now.
Still lived the dream any of us on here would die for.
speak for yourself please
Couldn’t agree more. Congrats, Craig!
Oh, I think any real baseball fan would take even one game in the majors. When I was a kid I fantasized so much about it – from the age of 11-13 I was the best player in my little league and I just assumed I was going to keep getting better. I flamed out in high school, once I started seeing breaking balls. Or, I guess, not seeing them. By my junior year the writing was on the wall – I was a backup outfielder and pinch-runner by then, occasionally I’d pitch in a blowout. But I would have given anything for a chance at even a game in baseball. I hope all of us feel that way.
As for Gentry, he had useful strat-o-matic cards against left-handers and he was a terrific baserunner. He had a much longer career than I would have guessed, and made a lot of money for most of us. Good for him.
RIP Craig!!
He didn’t die, commentinggenius. Lol
Retire in peace? What’s wrong with this statement? :)
In Loving Memory
pretty great 4th OF. certianly was underappreciated.
He was the perfect bench player. Good baserunning and defense and hit lefties at a league averageish clip
Made 7 million bucks playing for parts of 10 seasons . Pretty sweet deal .
Gentry was a nice little 4th outfielder
I always used to pick him up on MLB the show. Used him as a pinch runner/def replacement and started him against some lefties
I liked Gentry a lot on the O’s, always thought he should start over Rickard. He was the perfect bench player though, great speed and defense, and decent enough hitter against lefties.
Never had more than 287 PA in any season and no power, but useful, of the type we see less and less of.
Yes, the 13-man pitching staffs, especially in the AL, have made defensive replacements/pinch-runners obsolete, sadly. I would love to see MLB teams expand rosters to 27 or 28 because I think it’s more fun strategically. There are occasionally moments in a season where an AL team has, like, 3 bench players – the backup catcher who is only used in an emergency, and a utility infielder and a backup outfielder. Not much flexibility for guys like Gentry, who only did a couple things well.
$7 MM for his 10 year career and goes out with a full pension. I’m envious of that. Good luck in retirement.
Made the most out of his skill set! 10 years is impressive
Good band too
Fastest in the park home run that I can remember watching.
Nice career. Good luck with your next endeavor Craig
“You were good son, real good. Maybe even the best.” – Anonymous, 2007
I’ll most remember his time with the Giants.
I’ll most remember his time with the Giants.
Who?
Noooooo the A’s were about to make him a starter
I like that MLBTR tips their cap to players like Gentry that have decided it’s time to hang em up, but even though most of them aren’t even middle aged men it sometimes reads like an obituary…lol
The career span of a professional athlete is very short. That’s why I support them making all the money they can when they can. Most of us will have to work until we are in our 60s or so.