Former Reds, Cubs Gold Glove Catcher Suddenly Retires After 12 Seasons

Longtime Cincinnati Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart is retiring after 12 seasons in the big leagues, according to MLB insider Robert Murray.

Barnhart was a two-time Gold Glove Award winner for the Cincinnati Reds. He also played for the Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks. He played eight games for the Texas Rangers this year.

“At least two sources who have spent time around Barnhart throughout his career believe he would make a quality Major League manager, but it’s unclear if the longtime catcher would entertain that possibilty,” Murray wrote for FanSided.

Barnhart was designated for assignment by the Rangers earlier this year and was later assigned to Triple-A Round Rock. In his 12-year career, he slashed .241/.318/351.

He hit 53 career home runs and will be most remembered for his eight seasons with the Reds. He played 744 games with the Reds. He hit .248 as a member of the Reds in his career and collected 261 RBIs. Barnhart appeared just once in the postseason, in 2020, as a member of the Reds.

While he never established himself as an elite hitter, to make it 12 years as a big leaguer is no easy feat. He caught 841 games in his career. He also had 18 appearances at first base, one appearance at third base and one appearance in the outfield.

He finished his career with a 6.9 WAR and 920 total games played. The last three seasons, he had not produced much, so he knew it was time to hang up the cleats.

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