Future looks bright for retiring Woodward

Physically, 36-year-old Chris Woodward said he feels better than he did when he was 25.

Mentally, the 51s utilityman feels the time is right to retire, which he'll do after this season, his 18th in professional baseball.

"It's time to move on," he said. "I still feel like I can play in the big leagues, but there are so many (younger) players here. I'm not going to think I should be called up over somebody else."

Woodward played in the majors in 12 of the past 13 years, manning every position except pitcher and catcher and batting .239 in 659 games for the Blue Jays, Braves, Mariners, Mets and Red Sox.

"I wasn't the most confident player," said Woodward, originally drafted by Toronto in the 54th round in 1994. "I basically just worked myself to death out of fear of failure early on, and I actually became pretty good. That hard work turned my confidence around and made me actually believe, then I had success, and it snowballed from there. I feel like I overachieved a few years."

Woodward also recently achieved success off the field. After taking online classes at the University of Phoenix the past four years - often doing his homework in the 51s clubhouse after games - he earned his bachelor's degree in business management on July 23.

"It's been quite a bit of a grind off the field," Woodward said. "It was very, very satisfying for me and a big accomplishment I felt like I had to do. When I signed in baseball, I always swore to myself I'd go back to school."

A married father of three, Woodward plans to pursue a career in baseball as a coach, manager or in the front office. He hopes to get started next season, preferably at Toronto's Single-A affiliate in Dunedin, Fla., which is located a few minutes from his home in Palm Harbor.

"(The Blue Jays) have really stressed to me they want me in some capacity," he said. "For me, it would be moving forward. Right now, I'm hanging on."

A positive clubhouse presence and virtual player-coach for the 51s (71-55), Woodward's ultimate goal is to become a World Series-winning big league manager.

"I would really love to manage. It would be my way of establishing a culture on my team," he said. "I feel there's not as much emphasis put on culture and chemistry, to maximize guys' potential and get the most out of every single guy you have in the organization."

Woodward had his first four-hit game of the season Thursday and went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run in Friday's 5-1 win over Omaha (75-52) before 8,120 at Cashman Field.

Despite not being an everyday player in the minors for the first time in his career, Woodward still has stayed sharp, batting .284 in 72 games.

The Blue Jays' Opening Day shortstop in 2003 and 2004, "Woody" would like nothing more than to cap his career in Toronto, which could call him up in September.

"I'd love to finish my career in the big leagues, especially with the team I started with," he said. "It would be almost like a Cinderella ending."

■ NOTES - Shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria was named the 51s' most valuable player and recipient of the Mayor's Trophy, which is the team MVP as voted by fans. A Pacific Coast League All-Star who was promoted Aug. 4 to Toronto, Hechavarria is hitting .312 with 63 RBIs and a team-leading 78 runs for Las Vegas. ... Right-hander Jesse Chavez (8-4, 3.87 ERA) was named the team's most valuable pitcher, and center fielder Anthony Gose received the team's community service award.

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.