Geoff Jenkins will officially announce his retirement this Friday, according to a Brewers press release. Jenkins, who spent a decade of his playing career in Milwaukee, will retire as a Brewer before Friday's game at Miller Park. The 35-year-old asked the Brewers if they would let him retire as a member of the organization that drafted and developed him. GM Doug Melvin says he was happy to oblige.
"As far as we’re concerned, Geoff will always be a part of the organization and we look forward to welcoming him home,” Melvin said.
Jenkins is among the Brewers' all-time leaders in home runs (2nd with 212), slugging percentage (2nd with .496), RBI (4th with 704) and OBP (6th with .347).
The 1995 first rounder debuted with the Brewers in 1998 and played in Milwaukee until 2007. He signed with the Phillies before 2008 and has not played in the majors since that season. He earned $5MM with the Phillies, but the rest of his $46MM in career earnings came as a Brewer.
Finally got a ring in Philly, but sometimes you wish players like these would stay with one team their whole career rather than jump ship for a year then retire.
I’m still surprised no one signed Jenkins after he was released by the Phillies… his .246 average wasn’t terrible for a guy who only got 322 PA, and he managed to hit 9 homers in the equivalent of half a season… and he was only 33.
Well in today’s game if you’re “only 33” you may as well be 40. Teams have less and less faith in older players, and I think Jenkins situation is a prime example of that. I think his OBP was pretty low though, and if walked more I think teams may have been more inclined to give him another shot.
I don’t really like it that way. I think he could’ve contributed somewhere for a team. But that’s the way it goes I guess. I always liked Jenkins and I hope he has a good retirement.
I agree, Edinson. A great example of what you seem to be talking about is Vladimir Guerrero. He was hurt and had kind of an off year last year (only an off year by his standards). I found it shocking that everyone was so hesitant to give him a contract. Finally the Rangers signed him and, surprise surprise, he goes back to tearing the cover off the ball like the Vlad Guerrero that we all know and love (or fear).
He really fell off the table the last two years of his career. I suppose if Matt Stairs can hang around forever as pinch-hitter, then Jenkins could have done so also.
‘Roids? I know it’s pure speculation, but it’s funny how 35 is now the “new 40” in baseball…
Even at his best, Jenkins swing relied on a unique blend of timing and balance. When he was on, he was quite a joy to watch. When he was out of sync, it seemed like he missed everything by 2 feet. It’s really no surprise to me that his production fell off quite a bit once he hit a normal physical decline.
He’s a good guy and kept a good attitude in Milwaukee, even in rough years, even when Royster had the coaches out drunk all night and guys like Burnitz were loafing and collecting checks. Always played hard.
And who can forget the time he almost had to have his foot amputated after an ankle dislocation?
Jenkins was always a classy guy. When he left Milwaukee, he placed a full page ad in the daily newspaper, thanking the fans.
I remember a different side of Geoff Jenkins; one I did not care for much. Geoff had a some of that prima donna attitude about him. He was a very good out fielder, with a good arm and a good work ethic; I won’t take that from him. But he sucked at the plate for much of his last two years in Milwaukee and he showed a very entitled and bad attitude about being sat down by the manager; something that needed to be done far sooner than it was. When he was atrocious at the plate for long periods, he would not sit for the good of the team. I did not care much for his attitude in that regard.
I remember a different aspect of Geoff Jenkins. He was he had a bit of the prima donna attitude, I think. Though always a very good fielder, and always gave a good effort; he went through times when he just absolutely sucked at the plate. He did not take it like a man when a manager sat him down because his hitting was so atrocious. He got an attitude about it, when being sat was the absolute right thing for the team and him frankly.