FoxSports.com is reporting that IF Mark Grudzielanek has decided to retire at age 40. He last appeared this past season for the Cleveland Indians. Cub fans will fondly remember his time in Chicago highlighted by the NLCS playoff run in 2003. That season Grudzielanek posted a plus .300 batting average while providing solid defense at 2B. Signed as a free agent, Grudzielanek was one of the many moves great moves GM Jim Hendry made for the 2003 season, despite the rough ending in the NLCS that the team and fans endured in October. After splitting time at 2B with lefty Todd Walker during the 2004 that was supposed to have been “the year”, Grudzielanek chose to pursue a full time gig with the Cardinals in 2005.
In his two season with the Cubs, the scrappy 2B played 202 games and totaled 230 hits, 9 home runs, 61 RBIs while putting together a .312 batting average to go along with a .781 OPS while wearing number 11 in Cubbie blue pinstripes.