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Chris Getz

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Chris Getz
Getz with the Kansas City Royals
Second baseman
Born: (1983-08-30) August 30, 1983 (age 41)
Southfield, Michigan
Batted: Left
Threw: Right
MLB debut
August 12, 2008, for the Chicago White Sox
Last MLB appearance
May 10, 2014, for the Toronto Blue Jays
MLB statistics
Batting average.250
Home runs3
Runs batted in111
Teams

Christopher Ryan Getz (born August 30, 1983) is an American former professional baseball second baseman who played in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays. Chris now serves at the Director of Player Development for the Chicago White Sox.

Early life

Getz was born in the Detroit suburb of Southfield, Michigan, and was raised in Grosse Pointe, Michigan by Art and Betsy Getz. He attended Grosse Pointe South High School ('South'), where he was a 3 time All-Michigan selection in football and baseball and holds the South career records for batting average (.465), doubles, stolen bases, walks, and saves. Getz was a member of South's State Championship baseball team during his junior year. He shared the title of "Michigan's Mr. Baseball" in 2002 and also lettered in football and golf. Getz was drafted in the 6th round by the Chicago White Sox in 2002, but opted to play baseball at Wake Forest University where his father had attended college.[1]

Getz transferred to the University of Michigan to play baseball after just one season. He holds the single season Big Ten records for at bats, hits, and was an All Big Ten Selection in 2004 and 2005. Getz also was a player in the Cape Cod Baseball League, a premier summer league for college prospects. Getz played for the Chatham A's, now known as the Chatham Anglers.[2]

Professional career

Chicago White Sox

Chris Getz with the Chicago White Sox in 2009.

Getz was again selected by the Chicago White Sox in the fourth round of the 2005 draft. In 2005, he played 6 games for the Great Falls White Sox, the Sox rookie league affiliate before being promoted to the Single-A Kannapolis Intimidators where he played in 55 games. In 2006, Getz played in 130 games for the Double-A Birmingham Barons. Limited by injury, Getz played in just 72 games for Birmingham during the 2007 season, batting .299.

In 2008, Getz was named the All-Star Futures Game,[3] he was called up to the White Sox on August 10, 2008.[4] He first appeared in a game against the Kansas City Royals three days later on August 12, where he recorded his first hit and RBI off Royals pitcher Josh Newman in his one and only at-bat during the 8th inning. The next day, he had his first Major League start, replacing Alexei Ramírez at second base. He went 1-3 with a single.

With Ramirez moving over to shortstop for the 2009 season, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillén announced that Getz had won the starting role at second base out of spring training.[5] In 2009, Getz ranked tied for first among AL rookies in multi-hit games (28) and 92.6 stolen base percentage (25-for-27) led the league. After season he was named 2009 Topps All-Star Rookie Roster.[6]

Kansas City Royals

Getz was traded to the Kansas City Royals on November 6, 2009 along with Josh Fields for Mark Teahen.[7] His career with the Royals was riddled with injuries. He played only 72 games during the 2010 season due first to a strained oblique muscle, and then later due to a concussion after being hit in the head with a baseball.[8] He fared somewhat better in 2011, appearing in 118 games and posting a .255 batting average with 21 stolen bases. During the 2012 season Getz made three separate trips to the disabled list, first in May with a bruised ribcage, then in June with a lateral strain of the left leg, and finally in August with a broken left thumb. The last injury required surgery, ending his season.[8] Despite the injury history, the Royals signed Getz to a one-year contract on November 30, 2012. The base contract for 2013 was for $1.05 million, with additional performance bonuses totalling $150,000.[8] Getz was optioned to the Omaha Storm Chasers - The Royals AAA farm club in 2013. Johnny Giavotella was called up to replace him. After 14 games, Giavotella was sent back to Omaha and Getz was recalled on July 19. The Royals did not tender him a contract for 2014 and he became a free agent on December 2, 2013.

Toronto Blue Jays

On January 16, 2014, Getz signed a minor-league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.[9] He was sent to minor league camp on March 24, 2014.[10] Getz started the 2014 season with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. He was brought up to Toronto on April 29,[11] and designated for assignment on May 11.[12] Getz cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Buffalo on May 13, 2014.[13] On May 16, 2014, Getz announced his retirement from baseball.[14] He batted .160 in 10 games played for the Blue Jays in 2014.[15]

Personal life

His wife, Nicole "Nicky" Getz, was a contestant on The Amazing Race 23, where she was teamed up with David DeJesus wife, Kim.[16]

References

  1. ^ "Q&A with Former Wolverine Chris Getz". GoBlue.com. August 31, 2011.
  2. ^ "Chatham A's beat up on Wareham". Cape Cod Times. July 11, 2004.
  3. ^ Sheehan, Joe (July 14, 2008). "BP: Futures Game offers glimpse of stars, moments to come". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  4. ^ "International League News and Notes". oursportscentral.com. August 14, 2008. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  5. ^ "Guillen endorses Getz for 2B job". ESPN.com. Associated Press. March 22, 2009. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  6. ^ "Topps names Chris Getz to 2009 Major League Rookie All-Star Team". MLB.com. November 25, 2009. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  7. ^ "Royals acquire Chris Getz and Josh Fields from White Sox for Mark Teahen and cash considerations". MLB.com. November 6, 2009. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  8. ^ a b c Kaegel, Dick (November 30, 2012). "Getz returns to Royals with one year deal". MLB.com via KC Royals team website. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  9. ^ Todd, Jeff (January 16, 2014). "Blue Jays Sign Chris Getz". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  10. ^ "Blue Jays option Anthony Gose to Herd". Buffalo Bisons. March 24, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  11. ^ "Blue Jays promote Getz from Bisons". Buffalo Bisons. April 29, 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  12. ^ "Blue Jays activate Janssen, cut Getz". Associated Press. ESPN.com. May 11, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
  13. ^ Todd, Jeff (May 13, 2014). "Minor Moves: Kottaras, Getz, Greene". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
  14. ^ Cotillo, Chris. "Chris Getz retires from baseball". MLB Daily Dish. Vox Media. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  15. ^ "Chris Getz Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  16. ^ "Getz's wife travels world on 'The Amazing Race'". mlb.com. August 28, 2013.
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