After reading that Mets prospect Chad Zurcher chose to retire from baseball, I felt very intrigued to reach out to him so that maybe he could share a bit as to why he was walking away from the game that has been a part of his life for the past 20 years.

“The decision to retire from baseball was very difficult. I have played for so many years, since I was 4 or 5 years old. I do not recall a summer without baseball. It was a decision in my best interest going forward though.” Zurcher continues, “I wrestled with the decision for many nights during my last stint while injured in August and throughout the off-season. It was also difficult to leave an organization like the Mets who handle their business great. Their belief in me is something I will always remember. First class organization.”

There wasn’t just one injury that kept him from the field, he shares how more than one became an issue, “It was more of a result of multiple injuries than it was one specific injury. I had my right shoulder fixed in 2009, missed 2012 with surgery on my left shoulder, and this past season I tore cartilage in my wrist in April. After returning from that injury, my right shoulder began bothering me again. I was hoping the wrist would recover with rest in the off season, but it has not.”

Even with multiple injuries, he continued to battle through hoping that his body would react better, but it just became worse, “It became apparent when my shoulders would bother me on and off during normal activities and the wrist stayed painful. The injuries were the main reason because it took some desire away missing all those games. It became such a problem that I realized if I were to get banged up again that it would just crush me and be too hard to keep playing,” says Zucher.

The competition that an athlete faces each and every season, helps to build the competitiveness in their blood, but the camaraderie that they build amongst their teammates, is what creates a life long impression, “What I will miss most is competing and the friendships I built along the way. I will miss competing with my teammates against the opponents and competing with myself. Baseball is a challenging game, and if you are not competing daily with others and yourself to get better, then you will be left behind.”

“I will miss the friendships during the season and playing along side them, but I think I have created lifelong friends that I know I can talk to all the time. These friendships were created to last longer than just during baseball season and during our careers.”

Making a sudden change to a career, can sometimes be a daunting decision, but Zurcher created a path to lead him to other goals, “I have a general direction of what I want to do. I definitely want to stay around sports, and that is what I am currently doing. I am interning in Arena Operations at the FedexForum in Memphis.” He continues, “Working in a collegiate athletic department or for a professional organization would be ideal. There is always the possibility of coaching baseball in my future as well. Also, I know through my faith that my path has already been laid out for me as long as I stay on the correct track. Jeremiah 29:11 assures me of this.”

Looking back, he knows that their are no regrets, maybe missed opportunities, but a new path will open up, and old memories will always be apart of his life, “I felt like I did well when I had my opportunity, especially after missing a year. I wish I could have found a way to stay healthy. I tried for years during high school, college and pro ball to get bigger and stronger, but it was always a challenge for me. I wish I could have done that better. I do not know if it would have helped because the strongest and most in shape I had ever been was right before the 2012 season.”

“All in all, I have zero regrets because I feel like for the past 20 years I gave it my all, competed night in and night out, created tons of lifelong friendships, and genuinely cared about those who touched my life. I hope I touched theirs as well.”

Mr. Conde,

 I appreciate you taking the time to allow me to explain the past few years a little more. I want to thank you for the support and being so kind. I will continue reading your articles because I am interested in seeing how my former teammates do and how the Mets continue to grow.

Thank You Chad for giving your all to the game, because your fans will remember your dedication on and off the field, and we at MMN wish you all the success and that your new journey will bring you much happiness in your life.

Original Post:

Chad Zurcher announced on twitter on Monday evening that he called the Mets organization to advise that he was retiring from the game.

Teammates, coaches, friends…please read pic.twitter.com/JEroqrtjdC

— Chad Zurcher (@Zurc2ss) January 13, 2014

Zurcher was signed by the Mets in the 31st Round of the 2011 June Amateur Draft. He reported to Kingsport (Rookie) that season and in 38 games he batted, .283/.386/.336, with 21 runs, six doubles, 11 RBI, five stolen bases and 16 walks in 134 plate appearances. He missed the entire 2012 season due to an injury, and in his return to baseball in 2013, he was sent to Savannah and in 50 games he batted .276/.409/.316, with 25 runs, seven doubles, 12 RBI, four stolen bases, and 37 walks in 218 plate appearances.

We at MMN wish Chad Zurcher well and even though injuries may have taken his desire away to play the game, when he did play, he did very well. Good luck Chad on your new journey.

(Photo: Savannahnow.com)