Jody Gerut
Encyclopedia
Joseph Diego Gerut is a former Major League Baseball
center fielder
. He attended Jackson Middle School, Willowbrook High School
, and later Stanford University
. He made his major league debut on April 26, , with the Cleveland Indians
.
Drafted by the Colorado Rockies
in the 2nd round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft
, he was traded to the Cleveland Indians with Josh Bard
for Jacob Cruz
on June 2, . He had a spectacular rookie year in 2003, finishing in the top five in Rookie of the Year voting and winning the also-prestigious Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award. was a disappointing year for him, and his season ended when he tore the ACL in his right knee. Gerut was acquired by the Chicago Cubs
from the Indians on July 18, , in exchange for Jason Dubois
. On July 31, 2005, Gerut was acquired by the Pittsburgh Pirates
in exchange for fellow outfielder Matt Lawton
, just minutes before the trade deadline. He played briefly for the Pirates in 2005, then did not play for them at all in 2006; on March 8, , the Pirates released Gerut and he did not play during that year.
On January 21, , Gerut signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
with the San Diego Padres
. Gerut played very well in a starting role for the Padres during the 2008 season. He finished the year with a line of .296 batting average, .351 OBP, and .494 slugging percentage with 14 HR and 48 RBI mostly in center field.
On April 13, 2009, he hit the first base hit and home run at Citi Field against the New York Mets
on the 3rd pitch off Mets starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey. Gerut became the first player in major league history to open a new ballpark with a leadoff homer.
On May 21, 2009, Gerut was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers
for outfielder Tony Gwynn, Jr.
On May 8, 2010, Gerut hit for the cycle, going 4 for 6 in the Brewers 17-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks
.
On August 13, 2010, Gerut was unconditionally released by the Milwaukee Brewers
.
On August 19, 2010, Gerut was signed to a minor league contract by the San Diego Padres
.
On January 20, 2011, Gerut was signed to a minor league contract by the Seattle Mariners
.
On February 27, 2011, Gerut announced his retirement, citing his heart was no longer in the game, claiming he "didn't want to be a player that plays for only his paycheck."
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
center fielder
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
. He attended Jackson Middle School, Willowbrook High School
Willowbrook High School
Willowbrook High School is a public four-year high school located approximately half a mile North of Illinois Route 38 on Ardmore Ave in Villa Park, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago, Illinois in the United States. It is part of School District 88, which also includes Addison Trail High School...
, and later Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
. He made his major league debut on April 26, , with the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
.
Drafted by the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
in the 2nd round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft
1998 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1998 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 2 and 3, 1998...
, he was traded to the Cleveland Indians with Josh Bard
Josh Bard
Joshua David Bard is an American professional baseball catcher and designated hitter who is a free agent. Bard is a switch-hitter who throws right-handed....
for Jacob Cruz
Jacob Cruz
Jacob Antonio Cruz , is a professional baseball player for the Potros de Tijuana of the Mexican Baseball League. Cruz, who is of Mexican American descent, played outfield in Major League Baseball from -...
on June 2, . He had a spectacular rookie year in 2003, finishing in the top five in Rookie of the Year voting and winning the also-prestigious Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award. was a disappointing year for him, and his season ended when he tore the ACL in his right knee. Gerut was acquired by the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
from the Indians on July 18, , in exchange for Jason Dubois
Jason Dubois
Jason Bradford Dubois is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 14th round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft...
. On July 31, 2005, Gerut was acquired by the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
in exchange for fellow outfielder Matt Lawton
Matt Lawton
Matthew "Matt" Lawton, Jr. is a retired professional baseball whose career spanned 15 seasons, including 12 seasons in Major League Baseball. Lawton, an outfielder, made his major league debut September 5, 1995, with the Minnesota Twins, who signed him four years prior...
, just minutes before the trade deadline. He played briefly for the Pirates in 2005, then did not play for them at all in 2006; on March 8, , the Pirates released Gerut and he did not play during that year.
On January 21, , Gerut signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
with the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
. Gerut played very well in a starting role for the Padres during the 2008 season. He finished the year with a line of .296 batting average, .351 OBP, and .494 slugging percentage with 14 HR and 48 RBI mostly in center field.
On April 13, 2009, he hit the first base hit and home run at Citi Field against the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
on the 3rd pitch off Mets starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey. Gerut became the first player in major league history to open a new ballpark with a leadoff homer.
On May 21, 2009, Gerut was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for outfielder Tony Gwynn, Jr.
Tony Gwynn, Jr.
Anthony Keith "Tony" Gwynn, Jr. is a Major League Baseball player, who is currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is the son of baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn.-Amateur career:...
On May 8, 2010, Gerut hit for the cycle, going 4 for 6 in the Brewers 17-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
.
On August 13, 2010, Gerut was unconditionally released by the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
.
On August 19, 2010, Gerut was signed to a minor league contract by the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
.
On January 20, 2011, Gerut was signed to a minor league contract by the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
.
On February 27, 2011, Gerut announced his retirement, citing his heart was no longer in the game, claiming he "didn't want to be a player that plays for only his paycheck."