9:59am: Zaun told MLB.com's Corey Brock his shoulder isn't where it needs to be, and he didn't want to leave the team hanging. Padres GM Jed Hoyer told Brock they'll consider both internal and external options. As we discussed with the Astros, there isn't a lot out there.
12:43am: Catcher Gregg Zaun is "set to retire from Major League Baseball," reports Sportsnet.ca. The report says to expect an announcement Monday. Zaun has served as an analyst for Sportsnet during the playoffs since 2006.
Zaun's decision comes as a surprise, as his first Spring Training start yesterday was deemed a success. He'd signed a minor league deal with the Padres and was attempting to win the backup catcher job. Zaun, 40 next month, saw his 2010 season end with June surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder. Zaun contemplated retirement at that point, but told MLB.com's Corey Brock his shoulder responded well to treatment.
Zaun's retirement would clear a path for Rob Johnson to win the Padres' backup job. Johnson was acquired from the Mariners in December for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Zaun always had a knack for drawing a walk, leading to a .252/.344/.388 line in over 4,000 plate appearances for the Orioles, Marlins, Rangers, Royals, Astros, Rockies, Blue Jays, Rays, and Brewers. He picked up a World Series ring with the '97 Marlins and earned almost $18MM in his career.
Dang, as a Padre fan I’m kinda bummed. Always liked him, and thought he’d be good in helping Hundley. Rob Johnson must be stoked. I wonder if the Padres have any interest in a catcher like Bengie Molina?
The fact that sportsnet broke the story and announced in the last couple weeks that some of their broadcast people (namely Sam Cosentino) won’t be returning I think it’s pretty safe to assume Zaun wi be doing just fine this year working for Rogers all season long.
Catching acquisition coming soon…
That was quick. He did look terrible today. It was kind of embarrassing. I don’t mean any disrespect, I actually wanted him to win the job, but it was apparent he was done. Yes, you could tell that after watching JUSt one game, it was THAT bad. Rob Johnson, Kyle Phillips and Guillermo Quiroz move up a notch on the depth chart. Johnson being the favorite, baring his health status that has been a huge question mark. Like my boy Kevin Charity said, Molina would be interesting if the Padres were not comfortable with the three aforementioned catchers. Either way, the Pads will pick up another catcher. Johnson has had injury problems to say the least, and so has Quiroz. As for San Diego native Kyle Phillips, he has not caught more than 36 games since 2005. I’d like to see him at some point during the year. He has had a very impressive spring (early or not).
Is it possible the PTBNL in the Rays deal could be a catcher?
I have had this same thought for months
Me too bro. I just can’t stop thinking about Pads backup catching.
Can’t stop think about a teams backup catcher? Woah lol
Zaun looked horrible lunging for a catch.
He probably saw the replay and decided to hang it up.
The Padres should be able to lead the league in past balls in ’11. Rob Johnson is an absolute stud in that category.
18 mill after 16 seasons in the bigs. Must be pretty rare.
Yeah really, I found that interesting.
All the best to Zaun. He’s had a solid career. Now let’s hope he replaces Martinez on Jay’s broadcasts.
he’d be an analyst, not a play-by-play guy…..pat tabler had never wanted the full-time gig…but they did not rehire rance mulliniks, and darren fletcher was let go last year. i can see zauny doing 50 or 60 or the jays games this year…
this please. get tabby outta there.
tabler is so bad. i think he’s alergic to even a second of dead air. then he overstates what’s happening. boo.
There’s is nothing to say he couldn’t (or wouldn’t) be a play-by-play guy either though. I’ve never read that Tabler didn’t want the gig full-time either. Source?
Mulliniks didn’t do many games last year anyway, and Darren Fletcher was a complete fool on-air.
Jerry Howarth and Alan Ashby are head and shoulders above the tv crew. Now if I could only convince my local affiliate to carry the games in April instead of Quebec Major Junior Hockey.
I agree, Howarth and Ashby are much better. It was even better when Tom Cheek was still alive. I’ve always enjoyed the radio broadcasts.
He made it longer than most do playing catcher. I am sure catchers wake up some days barely able to walk with aching knees, shoulders, back, etc. After years of pounding eventually you got to wave the white flag.
Looks like somebody finally found a way to kill the Zaunbie. Rest in peace, man. You are finally free from your undead cravings of brains and sunflower seeds.
old school – good ballplayer – will be a great coach
I want to that Gregg for providing one of my greatest thrills as a fan. He called his shot in the 1999 Hall-of-Fame game, which I was lucky enough to attend. WHAT A KICK! The whole HOF Induction weekend was special back then, but the powers that be have since begun scheduling the game for a different date.
There’s a battle between Sportsnet and TSN for on-air talent. Zaun will likely find a place there. Good luck in your post-baseball playing career.
Angels have catching depth. call them up!
Terrible news for the Padre’s. Rob Johnson is awful and Quiroz is pretty bad too. Time to get on the horn and start making some calls.
The Zaubie has finally died. It is a sad day in sports.
I would recommend they take a flier on Ramon Hernandez from the Reds… Morassco is on his way anyway, they (the Reds) could use the Corkster (Corky Miller) as a backup until Devin M. is ready. Just thinking.