Former Cub Gerut Retires At 33

Outfielder Jody Gerut said his head isn't in the game anymore and is leaving the sport. He spent six seasons in the major leagues.

Gerut played for five teams before being invited to the Seattle Mariners' spring training as a non-roster player this year. He announced his retirement Sunday.

The 33-year-old Gerut appeared in 574 games in stints with Cleveland (2003-2005), the Chicago Cubs (2005), Pittsburgh (2005), San Diego (2008-2009) and Milwaukee (2009-2010). He finished with a career batting average of .262 and had 472 hits.

"Physically I'm fine," Gerut said in a statement from the Mariners. "But mentally my reasons for wanting to be in uniform have become so thin and narrow that I refuse to disrespect the game that has provided so generously for my family by playing it in a halfhearted way."

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