On August 10th, a free for all brawl was sparked by Brandon Phillips between the Cardinals and the Reds.  During the brawl, the Reds Johnny Cueto kicked Jason LaRue in the head numerous times.  For his actions, Cueto was suspended 7 games.  Click here to  see the video of the brawl.

According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, as a result of the kicks to the head, LaRue suffered a severe concussion and has decided to retire as he does not want to risk any further injuries to his head.  Resulting trauma to the brain has left LaRue unable to drive or even to cook for himself. Minimal activity creates sensations that he likened to seasickness, as LaRue would develop excruciating headaches and nausea.

“I’m done. It’s a simple decision,” LaRue said. “As a catcher you’re so vulnerable to getting another (concussion). All it takes a foul ball to the head. Even as a backup that happened 3-5 times last year. It’s not a question of if it would happen again, it’s when. Nobody can guarantee anything. It’ll probably be worse.”

LaRue went as far as looking into possible legal action against Cueto for what occurred but decided not to.  “I was going to retire on my own terms…. Does it suck that my career is over because Johnny Cueto started kicking me in the head? Yes, it sucks.”

LaRue has spent time during his career with the Red, Royals and Cardinals and is a career 231 avg.