HOUSTON Astros utility player Geoff Blum will not be returning to the Houston Astros in 2011.
Blum, who has spent 5 of his 12 Major League seasons with the Astros, told 11 Sports after the team s season finale Sunday that he has spoken with the team and was told that his services would not be needed next season and his option for 2011 would not be picked up.
The Astros beat the Cubs 4-0.
I love it here and everyone has been really good to me, said a teary-eyedBlum. I have played hard; I am just not going to be here next year.
The veteran played in 93 games for the team in 2010, hitting .267 with 2 homeruns and 22 RBI s.
I have good things ahead of me, whether it was here or not here, said Blum. The fans were great, but I have four more at home, that I can t wait to see so we ll make it happen.
Blum has played pretty much every position on the field while in an Astros uniform. He returned to the club in 2008 after spending time in San Diego and in Chicago with the White Sox.
In 2005, Blum hit the game winning home-run in Game 3 of the World Series against Houston, helping Chicago win its first title since 1917.
Drayton came by and said Don t be the one to hit a home-run against me next year said Blum. I said, Well, I have a little extra motivation for me now, so don t be surprised if it happens.
I would love for that to happen, but at the same time, I am going to be cheering for these guys, said Blum.
For his career, Blum is a .251 hitter with 97 homeruns and 468 RBI s.
