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Live Chat With Former MLB Outfielder Jody Gerut
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Tim Dierkes
9:45
We're very excited to bring in former MLB outfielder Jody Gerut for a live chat today on MLBTR.  Jody will be choosing the questions he answers; ask away!
Jody Gerut
9:50
Good morning, MLB Trade Rumors! Happy to be chatting with you today!
GBS42
9:52
Jody, congratulations on a successful major league career. You reached the pinnacle, which few can say they did.
Jody Gerut
9:52
Thanks GBS! The bigs were great for sure, not for the faint of heart. I think my time in international play was amazing as well.
Will
9:53
What was your favorite ballpark to play in?
Jody Gerut
9:53
Old Mets stadium. Smelled like my grandma's basement. Made me think of her in our family house in St Thomas
Andrew Skibs
9:53
Willowbrook High School represent!!!
Jody Gerut
9:54
YESSSSSIIRRRRR WB I see you!
Blake
9:54
What moment do you remember best of your big league tenure?
Jody Gerut
9:54
The feeling of opening Citi Field in 2009 with a HR, and realizing that a place in that stadium's history was going to be taken by a visiting player. OOPS.
Guest
9:54
Who was your “vet” mentor when you came up with Cleveland?
Jody Gerut
9:56
Ellis Burks, Bob Wickman. Both throwbacks. I still use both guys' tutelage in my second career. For example Wickman always jumped on me for not saying Good Morning to everyone, EVERY DAY. He said it's easy to make the days run into each other. Say good morning, ROOKIE.
GBS42
9:56
What were the 1-2 biggest differences you experienced between US and international baseball?
Jody Gerut
9:58
The flag on your chest. The National Anthem vs. some other country's. The cigarettes that the Italians smoked after we slaughtered them. Defeat of Cuba 3-2 in 10 innings. South Korea's ENTIRE team trying to speak with only me on the shores of Mass Maritime Academy. I could go on for hours.
Blake
9:58
Hardest pitcher to hit off of in your career and why?
Jody Gerut
9:59
Damaso Marte, LHR with the Wht Sox. Never knew if my life was going to end by leaving 96 up and in, or if the slider was going to nip the corner. Terribly uncomfortable.
Eric T.
9:59
Hi Jody, thanks for doing this. I have fond memories of your time in Milwaukee, did you enjoy your time on the crew as well?
Jody Gerut
10:01
I loved Milwaukee! Wished that I played better overall for the fans and the city. Our teammates there were a show of class and fun. Prince, Rickie, Couns, both Coreys. Amazing crew.
No pun intended
hi
10:01
Your opinion on changing in Cleveland name
Jody Gerut
10:03
OH MMMMMMMMMMAN. I get it, but it's tragic to see. If you go back to the 80's and some of the marketing campaigns with all the Indian stuff, yeah I think we needed to move on from that. But I think they found a very happy middle place, and it's unfortunate that it wasn't defended a bit more aggressively.
Bryce
10:03
What was your favorite minor league city to play in?
Jody Gerut
10:04
Wilmington, DE. My old buddy Jeff Austin played there and we used to hang out. Underrated city for sure. Plus Philly Cheese steaks, kid!!!!!!!!! Best part of the trip.
SAKrawczyk
10:05
Did you enjoy playing in Buffalo with the Bisons?  If so, do you happen to have any lasting or favorite memories?
Jody Gerut
10:06
Opening day 2003. 29 degrees. I had ice on my glove and cleats. We played, man I can't believe no one snapped their hamstrings. We got iced out for the next 6 days and had to practice in the Bills bubble. Buffalo is another underrated place. Great city.
John
10:06
You keep in touch with Matt Antonelli?
Jody Gerut
10:07
I see Matt doing his thing on Social Media! Man I wish I had those posting skills. He went Big league in another thing...happy for him! Great dude.
Spec
10:07
Hi Jody,  how was it going playing in the minors with a couple hundred fans to then finally playing in the bigs with thousands upon thousands spectating?
Jody Gerut
10:09
It's not the number of fans that makes a difference, though that is a bit weird. It's the vision from the field with the second stadium deck that messes up a young player. Changes your depth perception. Ever see a young outfielder absolutely ZOO a fly ball? It's the second level of seats to blame.
DAVE_GUATE
10:09
Hey Jody cheers from Guatemala! Toughest pitch to hit and off of whom, your favorite manager and favorite teammate and your stance on the lockout. Thanks for the chat and best of luck moving forward!!
Jody Gerut
10:10
Guatemala has the best empanadas in Central or South America, my regards to Argentina and Brazil.
10:13
Ok the lockout: we (players) should not be in the position that we're in today. Two agreements ago, players should have brought the negotiations closer to a strike. In the late 90's, players had too much power and too much of the revenue was going to them over owners. It had to go more toward owners. Now, it's the owners who have overtaken players in many different terms. And THEY"RE locking US out. Not good.
10:14
Final thought: players should stop tweeting their opinions about the lockout and about negotiations in general. No one wants to see a fragmented bunch of players and their opinions. Makes us look TERRIBLE. We don't all need to hear ALL of your opinions ALL of the time, players! Tell your wife or your dog. Shut up.
Rick
10:15
Did Ken Macha really flip a coin to start you in your cycle game?
Jody Gerut
10:15
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL. Amazing question. I have no idea but let's yes to let the legend grow HHAHAA.
Buck Showalter
10:17
who was your favorite manager
Jody Gerut
10:17
Eric Wedge. I had him as a mgr for 5 years. He was more of a shaper of men than a manager.
Bud Black was also amazing.
Bryce
10:18
Who was your first MLB hit off of?
Jody Gerut
10:18
First hit, first RBI off Tim Hudson in Oakland.
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