Jenkins Parts With the Game as a Brewer
Geoff Jenkins, one of the most decorated players in Milwaukee Brewers history, is set to retire from the game of baseball. It is only fitting that, having spent all but one year of his career with the Brewers, he will retire as one.
On Friday, Jenkins will sign a one day contract with Milwaukee so he can formally retire as a member of the Brewers. Jenkins was a fixture of the Brewers outfield for ten seasons. He ranks among the all-time Brewer leaders with 212 home runs and 704 RBIs, as well as other offensive categories. The only season he spent outside of Milwaukee was with the World Series champions Philadelphia Phillies in 2008, where he finished his playing career. Now, he will go back to the organization he feels home at, where he will part with the game.
The Brewers themselves were more than accommodating to Jenkins’s request to retire as a Brewer. General manager Doug Melvin said that it was their honor to let the 35-year old Jenkins have his wish.
“Geoff indicated a desire to retire as a Brewer, and we were honored to accommodate the request,” said the Brewers GM in a statement. “As far as we’re concerned, Geoff will always be a part of the organization and we look forward to welcoming him home.”
Jenkins himself was honored that his request was granted, and was grateful toward the Brewers organization, the city of Milwaukee, and the Brewers fans.
“The Milwaukee fans and organization welcomed me into their homes, and it was an honor to put on the Brewer uniform for a decade.” Jenkins added that he looks forward to the day he signs the contract so he can formally retire as a member of the Brewers.
Jenkins is scheduled to have a press conference on Friday and throw out the ceremonial first pitch in the Brewers game – only fitting for a player such as Jenkins who stuck with the organization even through the rough times.
Jenkins was drafted out of the amateurs by the Brewers themselves, as the ninth overall pick. He spent the first few years of his professional career in Milwaukee's farm system before being called up to the big leagues. He made his Major League debut with the Brewers and in his first plate appearance, he came through with a single – the beginning of what was to be a great career, especially in Milwaukee. He was the team MVP in 2000 and represented them in the All-Star game when he was chosen as a member of the National League team. He stayed with the Milwaukee Brewers until he became a free agent, when he then signed with eventual World Series champs Philadelphia.
After Jenkins was a free agent again and no team picked up his services, he thought it was best to “come home” to Milwaukee and retire from playing the game of baseball. It is only fitting that he retires as a member of Milwaukee. July 9 will be a great day for Jenkins, the city of Milwaukee, and the Brewers organization.
Melvin himself acknowledged the contributions of Jenkins when he mentioned in the statement that Jenkins “established many team marks on the field.”
It is only right and fitting that Geoff Jenkins - with his contributions to baseball and especially to the Milwaukee Brewers – would be allowed to retire as a member of the team. His aura as Brewer will never fade away and will be always treasured by his fans in Milwaukee. He himself wishes that he would be a part of the organization he calls home “for years to come.”
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