Versatile Woodward eyes move to newest position: management

Midway through spring training, Chris Woodward had all but retired from baseball after a 16-year professional career.

Unable to land a job with a major league organization, the 34-year-old utilityman was contemplating his future in the game as a scout or agent.

"I didn't want to be retired, but I kind of was," Woodward said.

But a friendly visit to the Blue Jays' spring complex in Dunedin, Fla. -- near Woodward's home in Palm Harbor -- changed all that. It was there that Doug Davis, Toronto's minor league field coordinator, suddenly offered Woodward a job.

"I wasn't sure what it meant. At first, I thought he was asking me to scout or coach," said Woodward, who was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 54th round in 1994. "He said, 'We can use you.' I said, 'What do you have in mind?' He said, 'You still want to play, right?'

"It caught me off guard. I didn't expect that. I said, 'Heck, yeah, I want to play. I just didn't have an offer.' "

Shortly after starting the season with the 51s, Woodward was called up to Toronto on April 22, about a month after being out of work.

"Regardless of whether I go back up, it was pretty cool to get the opportunity," he said. "It's pretty amazing how everything turned out."

Woodward, who was sent down April 28 after going 0-for-4 in four games for the Blue Jays, is batting .286 with seven home runs and 33 RBIs in 56 games for Las Vegas.

He went 0-for-4 and grounded into two double plays in the 51s' 12-2 loss to Tacoma on Saturday at Cashman Field to end his seven-game hitting streak. He went 13-for-28 (.464) during the streak.

"Whether it's my last year or not, I love playing," said Woodward, who has played 652 major league games in parts of 12 seasons for the Blue Jays, New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox.

Woodward, who is married with three young children, is leaning toward retiring after the season to pursue a scouting or front-office position, which would let him spend more time with his family.

"My family's the most important thing to me," he said. "I've already fulfilled my dream of playing."

The California native, who turns 35 on Monday, also has played 867 games in the minors and relishes his role as a mentor to some of the youngsters on the 51s.

"I take a lot of pride in that, especially since I'm going to move on and my next career will be something to that effect," he said. "I'm going to give them every bit of wisdom I have. I've had pretty much every opportunity and every roadblock."

After being drafted so low, Woodward said he didn't think he would ever make the majors. But his versatility and character helped him get there.

"I think that has a lot to do with it," he said. "When I say character, it's doing the right things to help your team and come with a positive attitude every day. Just the little things that got me through."

Woodward cited versatility as the biggest key to his longevity. Though more than half of his major league games have been at shortstop, he has started at every position except pitcher and catcher.

"That's what I tell the guys. 'If you can play one more position, it's huge,' " he said. "It goes a long way for a team. All you need is a chance to play."

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