Jason LaRue Retires After Suffering Concussion During In-Game Brawl

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Jason LaRue's career is over after suffering a concussion in the brawl between the Cardinals and Reds on Aug. 10.

"I'm done. It's a simple decision," LaRue told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

During the brawl at the Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati's Johnny Cueto repeatedly kicked LaRue in the head with his spikes. LaRue was placed in the disabled list and Cueto was suspended for seven games.

"When it first happened I thought it was just another concussion. I felt within a couple days I would be fine," La Rue said. "But I didn't feel good. And for a long time nothing progressed."

The 36-year-old spent eight seasons with the Reds and has been on St. Louis for three years.

Comments

[Clevelandinwi]

04:47 AM on 10/07/2010

Jason: Sue cueto, the cardinals, larussa and baker, the reds, mlb, selig, the umpires, everybody - that's the only way to stop these 'enabled' spoiled brats. My daddy always said 'there is nothing sadder than a thirty year-old teenager'.

[Clevelandinwi]

04:45 AM on 10/07/2010

cueto still in the majors? If so, why? Another larussa instigated war? Probably directed by pewholtz and bek.

[Christian Schultz]

08:10 PM on 10/06/2010

Cueto should be banned.

Reinstate Pete Rose and let Cueto take his place.

[Sandmanj]

10:03 AM on 10/03/2010

I smell a lawsuit.

[AbeMartin]

08:38 AM on 09/28/2010

Cueto's action on the field is a criminal offense and should be treated as such.  The limp wrist suspension for seven games should have been extended through the end of the playoffs; and Cueto should be charged with aggravated felonious assault.  And if convicted, he should be banned from MLB.

[shagdaddey]

07:32 PM on 09/27/2010

After 11 years in the bigs, he's looking at a sweet sweet pension. I would do the same.

[AbeMartin]

08:49 AM on 09/28/2010

After eleven years in the game, he is looking at a pension of $6,000 per month plus or minus, which is hardly commensurate with the $950,000 he was making as a catcher.  If he suffers long term disability as a result of the concussion that was caused by the thuggish behavior of an immature, undisciplined and arguably mediocre pitcher, he may not be able to work productively and his medical expenses can far outstrip is "sweet, sweet pension."  I was disgusted when 200 lb+ Pete Rose slid hard into 160 lb. Bud Harrelson during the 1973 National League Championship series and then proceeded to pummel him (Pete was always a no-class act); this is worse.

[holyghostie]

01:22 PM on 09/27/2010

Kicking someone in the head is worth jail time.

[MurrayAbraham]

11:08 AM on 09/27/2010

Repeatedly kicking an adversary in the head, and thereby ending his career, only gets you suspended for 7 games!?

People get thrown in jail everyday for less than that in this country. We are sooooooooo screwed.

[John Elliott]

06:24 AM on 09/27/2010

I stopped watching baseball because it is lame. This video just goes to show it. The idot doing the kicking only got 7 games that is an even bigger Lameness. Selig must be so weak that he can't do anything any more.

Baseball need Goodall this guy should at the very least get a season suspension rest of this year and all of next year. . Plus be brought up on charges. Kicking anyone in the head should be great body harm or something.

[whizkid]

01:33 AM on 09/27/2010

There is no footage of Cueto kicking LaRue.
Unfortunate though. Jason was a great player on the Reds for many years.

[Cougar28]

12:03 AM on 09/27/2010

Sue Cueto for millions!!!

[henrypapillon]

10:14 AM on 09/26/2010

You think the bear says, "I've had a stressful day. I'm going to tear that lady's face off!"?

[henrypapillon]

08:01 PM on 09/25/2010

They kick out Pete Rose, but leave Cueto in? MLB is on the wrong path.

[Morgantheaxe]

12:14 AM on 09/27/2010

No doubt. Banned for life for betting on your own team to win, but hey seven games for stomping a guys head with your cleats. Where Im from thats called attempted murder.

[dukeitout]

02:12 AM on 09/25/2010

Crimes can be committed on an athletic field. This was a crime, regardless of what Selig or any MLB official says. Press criminal charges. If MLB objects, press charges against them too.

[henrypapillon]

08:01 PM on 09/25/2010

Yes, that would be obstructing justice.

[Balzac]

04:24 PM on 09/24/2010

That's not cool. I didn't see the incident clearly, but there appears to be a consensus that Cueto overreacted.