What Happens When You Get Released in MLB 

I wish I had the opportunity to be good enough to be released

"I probably am hurt right now and I'm just not telling you". Hahahahah

This sounds like my RTTS in The Show 19.

Thumbnail seems pretty happy for being released

Nats fan here. The catcher you were thinking of is Yan Gomes.

You’ve lived a life I could only have dreamed of. Tough breaks, but what a journey!

Baseball is a rough business. I remember Cesar Puello being called up for the Angels at the beginning of this season. He has been in the minors for 12 years. He hit .390 and had 1.183 OPS over 12 games with the Angels. Well, Upton was ready to come back from his injury. Puello was immediately DFA'd. I felt so bad for him.

I played in an independent league with former pro ball players.. basically playing for the love the game and hoping to get some magic back. . thanks for sharing your experiences. . it helps us fans get closer to the personal game of baseball..

As an Orioles fan... glad you dodged that bullet sir. 😜

Love your vids man

Love how humble and open you are. Man this is the same grind for umpires.

You made it to the majors...that’s an incredible accomplishment !

Sorry bout your career journey! But you got to “taste” what most young men only dream about. Good luck with what is your future! Good video! Enjoyed it, ( life long baseball fan!)

What an honest and interesting guy. I love these segments.

I love this guy, he is so honest..." I had to pretend I was hurt, I was good at it from being hurt all the time" lmao. He is a humble guy.

I like to say that “I relinquished my position”. “Retired” seems old but “cut” was most accurate. 🤣😭😢😔

Nats fan here. I follow the Nats minor league affiliates, and don’t remember you at all. Sorry. But you’re a stand up guy who has figured himself out and made a difference in youth baseball in a big way. Way more people will remember you for these things than playing, and that’s a terrific thing in my book. You deserve all the good things that come your way. Keep it up Matt!

we are on the same boat Mr. Antonelli, I have been cut, designated for assignment, non tendered and released by the chippendales, they said my package seems wrinkled now and not responding to the crowd cheer, so I changed career, I am now a Gynecologist.

The catchers were Perez and Yan Gomes

Nice to hear the inner-workings of the game from someone so clear and level headed. Most of this stuff goes without mention or notice to the casual fan, but for those of us who've wondered - thanks for sharing your experience!

I never put 2 & 2 together earlier in your video. I've lived here in Chesapeake, Virginia and likely was at a game or two you played in Harbor Park with the Tide's! Thank you for your video Matt!!!

Hey mate thank you for the insite.Sorry to hear about your injuries.As i was born with 2 holes in my heart and played baseball hear in Australia as my parents would not let me play any contact sport.Then i found baseball and fell in live with the game.Thanks for sharing.

Hello Mr. Antonelli, you can answer a question I have always pondered. The Dodgers bring up young good players like weeds grow in my garden. The Angels have not had a good young player come from their minors since Mike Trout. Do the Dodgers both draft and develop players much better? Or is it one or the other? Are the Dodgers great at developing their young talent and the Angels not so much? How important is the minor league development in producing a Cody Bellinger or a Will Smith? Thank you.

These videos you make are awesome! As a fan of the game my whole life I've always been curious how this stuff went on behind the scenes. And you do a great job explaining to the audience everything behind the scenes! As great as it do be a professional baseball player it's a very tough road and you have to be mentally tough and have heart and y'all have my deepest respect! I look forward to watching more of your videos!

Appreciate you sharing the story of your journey. It couldn’t have been easy but as someone that couldn’t even make my high school team but still love the game, it was very insightful. Keep up the good work, bro.

A player who is cut can go to Japan, or other foreign countries.

Even tho you didn’t have as long a career I’m sure you would’ve hoped you, you still played in the majors and hit a Homerun in the majors something every kid dreams of doing one day. Hats off to you for a great career in professional baseball. It’s really unfortunate injuries plagued your career. I had a similar experience when I was younger that I was one of the better catchers in my age group and unfortunately when I turned 18 I started to battle knee injuries and issues and never was able to fully get back to full health and never got to have a chance to play professional. It’s a tough thing to do for journeyman players considering how little money they can make in the minors but I always have plenty of respect to guys like you who made it to the bigs and stuck with it for many years in the minors.

Yan Gomes? (Edit) Indians fan or else I wouldnt have known but I liked calling him lawn gnomes

What I'm curious about, is how is the money/salary all working during all these trades/releases/AAA "downgrades"/whatever else. Who is paying you, is it all based on previously signed contracts, do contracts go to renegotiations?

Could you do a video on whether guys want to stay with a certain team or not? Like, if you wanted to stay with a team and take less money? Has that ever happened?

I'm really glad you're here making youtube videos, sharing your stories. Oh and I'm sure that was a spot on impression of your wife :)

09:11 Thanks Matt for the comic relief "I probably am hurt right now, I'm just not telling you". I don't mean to laugh at you, rather with you. Thanks for a laugh I needed badly! I appreciate your insightful views, keep up the great work!!

Good thing about doing youtube videos is that you have a very slim chance of getting injured. You might get a cramp once in a while with editing or other related things but you won't get any major hand or other injuries.

I’m a 20 years ago college drafted player succumbing to injury, i would’ve killed to have this kind of intel at the time. Keep it up for the up and comers 👍💯 good luck!

I'm not sure how this popped up in my recommended videos but I appreciate you sharing your story. It's very humbling as I'm sure you were a stud player to get to the big leagues in the first place.

In order to be released, you have to be drafted or signed in the first place. 99 out of 100 players aren't even good enough for that!

5:20 Triple-AAA Indianapolis is the Pirates, I know because I am a Pirates fan

This release thing would drive me nuts. Up, down, up, down, up, down. I’d have offered to be the bullpen catcher.

Great video Matt. Thanks for walking us through the process. Getting cut sucks but I'd give just about anything to have played in MLB.

Norfolk? You were on the Tides!? I live 5 minutes from the stadium, pass it every day to work. Super cool!

I don’t understand why the Indians would release you when you’re batting great. Also surprised no one else was interested. Sounds like injuries was your biggest downfall in your career. Thanks for the videos Matt.

I have not watched a 15 minute video in a while, but this video was definitely worth it! This was a cool video!

My mom was born and raised in Scranton. You didn't miss anything

I just wanted to tell you that I found that incredibly interesting. And it sounds like you have really found your niche here and a way to have a nice baseball career even without staying in the big leagues. Best of luck to you.

Awesome code Matt. Cool to hear that you played in Rochester as thats my home town. If only I knew about your story back then

As a Yankee's fan I'd love to know how your experience was in the Yank's organization. If you can't do that I'd like to know how your experience with Brian Cashman was. Thanks for the great videos man, good luck in the future.

You got to play for my hometown team, the Padres. Nothing in life can beat that.

Unfortunately as a Padres fan most of the first round draft picks have gotten hurt or haven’t worked out

Hey Matt, I played for the New England Wolf Pack from 98-02, were you a member of the Lynn Lightening? I remember playing against a stud with the same last name.. Great video and explanations!

I hope you understand how much more you have to offer baseball real talk

Great vid, Matt! Can you do a video about American players going to Japan to play in the Nippon League? Would love to hear your thoughts on that

Word I didn’t know you were on the Yankees! I’m officially a fan!

I'm glad you at least made it, I got cut because I was an inch too short as a Starting Pitcher for the Jays in 2007. I had everything, nasty curve, breaking-ball splitter, sliding/change-up and Knuckle ball. They asked me to throw a fastball and I go.. O_o huh, what's a fastball??? Even though I struck out every batter they challenged me with. LOL. Would have been great to play with the Jays from 2010...now I work for the 2nd largest LCBO in Ontario where I see Jays staff walk in ^_^ but hey, first job was working at the SkyDome, and I did throw off the mound in 2001 during a tryout session back then.

God is good my brother and you have a career that allows you to stay connected to baseball!

Im almost 51. I get outta breath whenever I get up to go take a whiz. But if a club called me in and asked me if I knew how to catch I’d say…yeah sure! Was just working on my game behind the plate yesterday. Lol. You’re still a Gamer Antonelli!

I loved playing baseball. Mediocre eyesight. But I swung for the fences with lots of gusto. And unlike in football, a team can be down 5 runs in the last inning and still win. Played against Pete Rose in high school and some pitchers who went into big leagues. Was a catcher. Never did get Rose in any of his at at-bats. He was intimidating. He took bat way back to make me move an extra foot in back of home plate. Probably for my own good. I think his Western Hills HS team had a bunch of players that got to Big Leagues. What a bunch of animals they were in 1956-1958.

Your channel is excellent, a player's view of things from the inside. Those who might mock your career don't seem to realize that there are so many top notch players who have come out of high school and college who never made it. Making it in pro sports is hard. Like Crash Davis you were in The Show. Thinking of Chris Colabello who was a key player in the Blue Jays' 2015 run, who came out of independent ball, (then things fell apart with his PED suspension the next year). Hit .321 in 333 AB, it happens sometimes.

Yea I have played for a very long time as well and I would like to get back into baseball somehow but not as a coach, player, or as an umpire. Because I've done all of that but I just don't have the patience to coach and I'm too old to play now. But my knowledge of the game of baseball is rich and it's still a passion of mine. So I wish that there was something that I could do without coaching or umpiring

I was frustrated with my injuries so I switched teams. *Bad luck Brian* Signs with the Washington Nationals.

I give you a lot of credit. As for me, well..... I went to a tryout camp and made a total ass of my self. I had played organized baseball from the age eight through high school. I even went to Bo Belchers Camp in Oklahoma for a month. However, at least I tried. Now, I'm 64 years old and always wonder "what if." Thanks for your story. HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL!

Man, my heart hurt just listening to that. My hat is off to you for being able to share that with a smile.

What a story and thanks for explaining. Enjoy giving back with your coaching

rough! you have had a great attitude with everything despite the hardships. Sorry to hear that all the injuries happened. I used to watch baseball when I was younger. Im from san diego so I remember your name from back in 2006-2008 from watching games.

That’s a good message for any you g kid that think because you’re a first round is a guarantee that you’re going to make after you been pick that when you career start from 0 all the way as how far your talent with some luck will take you nothing goin to be giving to you ! You have to earnest 👍🏾

Good luck Matt -- you have the experiences to last a lifetime and tell many young people -- you will make a great coach I am sure. Or on-air analyst. Or anything you want to do. You are a winner.

I have a 5 year old... I hope some day he’s good enough for you to coach him up. Good luck with everything brother.

I'm loving these!!

I heard your comment at the end of the video that you weren’t successful. But you are more successful than more than 90% of the people who play baseball. You had a shot, you did your best, and life happens.

Thanks for the video Matt. I wish other players would tell their stories like you did here. Hi from MA btw!

Matt. Thanks again for your humility and willingness to share your story. Quick question: Did you keep the same agent from your first contract to the end? Did you get your money's worth? Is there really a need for a guy in your situation to have an agent? Thanks

9:25. - I probably am hurt right now, I am just not telling you. Bro that was hilarious

Question. Are you protected financially under the MLB CBA when your released or cut? Is there a provision that gives you a portion of your contract in case of release/cut? Because in sports you could be tossed around many times in 1 season I wasn't sure if the union had language to protect the players financially during these kinds of events.

"Designated for assignment" == We don't have an assignment for you.

Matt- Loved you when you were with the Ems! I'm glad you have such a good sense of humour about everything. Hope life treats you well!

What a journey. This shows why baseball players need to always work on maintaining confidence and staying focused both on and off the field.

So I'm guessing that new Southwest commercial with the multiple traded pitcher is your story? Seriously you got to play in the show. All the best for the Future

The catcher you were talking about was yan Gomes I think

You're an honest man, appreciate that

You have a great camera and content presence.. I hope ESPN or Fox watching and hope to see you doing some play by play.. You obviously know the game better than some of the current on air personalities..

Here is a question, who pays the doctor bills/medical costs?

Very interesting, thank you for sharing. Gives a glimpse most of us never get.

Thank you for sharing! Really enjoyed the behind the scenes information.

Thanks for interesting insights on the life/career of professional baseball player trying to make it to the "Show".

You made it farther in pro baseball than most bro. Thats exceptional.

Props to talk about this, its hard to talk about for some ppl. I know the feeling not great. Not at yout level but all the same.

Hey Matt I just wanted to thank you for your advice. You advised me to join a men’s baseball league and I am involved in one finally! Your encouragement really Helped me have the confidence to join!!!

honestly I get these are kinda sad stories but I cant even imagine how amazing and fun of an expirience that must have been. Thanks for making these cool vids.

Thank you. Honest and open, very interesting.

Thank you for sharing your history with us. And some really good information I wasn’t aware of.

When he said "yes I can catch" knowing he hadn't caught since little league, l 100% felt that shit💯

So much better hearing it from matt rather than a in handbook on mlb the show 19 🤣

Can you please do some videos where you talk about what it is like being at/playing at different mlb stadiums like Yankees Stadium, Fenway Park, etc... And some behind the scenes stories about being at these stadiums?

I’ve always wondered, how do moves actually get made? Like demoting a player from one level to another, or designating a player for assignment? Does the GM contact the commissioners office, or what?

Hey Matt, can you talk about open tryouts to the public from the majors? How often does it happen, when, what kind of players do they sign to a minor league contract, and the results overall from the tryouts?

There is something about independent baseball that is just great.

Matt, you hit a home run in the Major Leagues, so that puts you ahead of about 99.999% of all the rest of us! I like to tell people that I almost signed a minor league contract, but there was one thing holding me back... a serious lack of talent!

The Catchers story involves the 2013 Columbus Clippers... so it was probably Yan Gomes and Omir Santos. Maybe Roberto Perez, but he did not get into a MLB game in 2013.

How did you get most of your injuries on or off the field?

Always wanted to learn all this

These videos are so good