Drafted in the second round in 1998 by the Rockies out of Stanford, Jody Gerut joined the Indians in a 2001 trade. He’d finish fourth in the AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2003, popping 22 home runs in 127 games. Injuries sidetracked Gerut’s career, and he missed all of the 2006-07 seasons. Gerut stayed resilient and bounced back with a strong ’08 season for the Padres, putting up 2.9 WAR in only 100 games.
In total, Gerut played in 574 games for the Indians, Cubs, Pirates, Padres, and Brewers, smacking 59 home runs along the way while playing all three outfield positions. Jody homered off many of the era’s great pitchers, including Pedro Martinez, Jake Peavy, and Bartolo Colon. He also hit the first home run in the history of Citi Field when it opened in 2009 and hit for the cycle against the Diamondbacks in 2010.
Jody serves as a youth hitting coach in the Chicago suburbs in his spare time, and I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him when my son took lessons. Jody now works as a mortgage consultant, and you can find his website here. I’ve found him friendly and insightful about hitting as well as MLB. He was already an MLBTR reader and I was thrilled to have him for a live chat with our readers today. Click here to read the transcript!
We’ve got another fun MLB player chat lined up for tomorrow. All the players who have participated have enjoyed the experience. If you’re a former or current MLB player and you’d like to join in for an hour, drop us a line!
The best Jerry, the best!
ahh. Jody Gerut. 2009, the first year in Citi Field. I was a ball boy and clubhouse staff member. I remember the very first official at bat in Citi Field history Gerut lined one off Mike Palfrey that got over the right field wall. I said to myself “oh my, this is not the kind of start we want in the new stadium”.
Thank you for making yourself available for the chat Jody!
I remember reading that he was a very smart individual
A year ahead in school, attends Stanford, yup
whip smart!
The best player chat yet. Agree or disagree with what he said, he was candid.
Thanks, Jody and Tim!
Thanks for your time, Jody. I never manage to read these while they are happening, but I love going back and reading the transcripts.
Good chat. But tell me more about this Alex Anthopoulos animosity… lol
Yes! The inside scoop!
Great chat. Thanks.
I remember Gerut in ’03 with the Indians. That team was awful in the standings but saw Victor Martinez, Coco Crisp, Travis Hafner, Jhonny Peralta, Brandon Phillips, and Cliff Lee all come up as rookies
He had an interesting take on the Texas Rangers LOLLOLLOL!!!!!
Loved hearing the opinion of a player from the PED era tell us about he feels about those who used.
@styme. I agree. If the writers vote in Bonds and Clemens it will be a absolute farce. 2 guys who got greedy when they would have been HOF players had they never juiced. If they get in Pete Rose needs in immediately. Then they can just march in Sosa/Palmiero/McGwire right in beside all them. Schilling should have been in last year too. I imagine if Ty Cobb was on the current ballot he would be blacklisted just like Schilling.
These are the same geniuses who made Kenny Lofton a 1st year one and done (not even 5% of the vote) which is shameful enough. These writers also gave Andruw Jones only 7.3% on his 1st ballot. The writers need to go and give the ballots to the MLB players with 8-10 of MLB service.
But how do you know for sure who did and who did not use? Look, there are already players in the HoF that used PEDs. Sure, guys like Bonds were more obvious that some others, but just know that your favorite baseball player from that Era that you thought was clean probably wasn’t.
Damn that was good! He was so open and honest and he articulates his thoughts well. And did anyone catch that Lilly was probably his daughter? That’s what I think.
jimdevinmoriah
Awesome chat Jody! loved your openess and honesty! Ask and he tells it like it is and how it should be, weather you agree or diagree with the answer! love these player chats!
Lilly, yes ketchup on Hotdogs, with Mustard!
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