Gary Holle
Encyclopedia
Gary Charles Holle is a former Major League Baseball
first baseman who played for the Texas Rangers
in 1979.
Prior to playing professionally, he attended Catholic Central High School
and then Siena College
. While at Siena College, he starred in baseball and basketball, and was eventually elected to the Siena sports Hall of Fame. He was an All-American basketball player, however he chose to pursue a career in baseball instead.
He was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers
in the 13th round of the 1976 amateur draft. That year, he began his professional career, playing for two teams - the Newark Co-Pilots
(69 games) and the Berkshire Brewers
(four games). He hit a combined .320 with 19 home runs, 16 doubles and four triples in 73 games.
In 1977, he played for the Holyoke Millers
, hitting .253 with 30 home runs and 25 doubles. He split the 1978 season between the Millers (71 games) and the Spokane Indians
(65 games), hitting a combined .277 with 18 home runs and 84 RBI. On December 15, 1978, he was traded by the Brewers with Ed Farmer
to the Rangers for Reggie Cleveland
. He spent most of 1979 in the minors, spending the first part of the season in the Rangers' chain, hitting .341 in 52 games for the Tucson Toros
.
On June 2, 1979, he made his major league debut, appearing as a pinch hitter for Rangers outfielder Johnny Grubb
. He grounded out in his only at-bat of the game. Although his defensive position was first baseman, he only played in the field in one game in his brief big league career. He was mostly used as a pinch hitter
. He had six at-bats in the big leagues, collecting one hit. On June 14, 1979, he played his final big league game, and on June 15 he was traded with Ed Farmer to the Chicago White Sox
for Eric Soderholm
. He finished the 1979 season with the White Sox Triple-A farm team, the Iowa Oaks, hitting .273 in 39 games for them.
He played for three minor league teams in 1980 - the Oaks, the Phoenix Giants and the Charleston Charlies
. He hit a combined .316 with 12 home runs and 60 RBI in 111 games. In 1981, he played for the Edmonton Trappers
, hitting .327 with 26 home runs and 88 RBI. He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies
on October 30, 1981 with Dewey Robinson
for minor leaguer Jose Castro
, however he never played in the Phillies' system.
Overall, he hit 297 with 111 home runs in six minor league seasons.
After his retirement as a player, Holle served as General Manager of the Continental Basketball Association's Albany Patroons. In that position, the Patroons won the 1984 CBA Championship, with Phil Jackson as its coach.
His son, Gary Holle, Jr., plays basketball at Siena College.
Another son of his, Greg Holle, played baseball at the Christian Brothers Academy in the Albany, New York
area and was drafted by the New York Yankees
in the 35th Round of the Amateur Entry Draft in 2007. However, he opted instead to attend college and currently is a starting pitcher for Texas Christian University
.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
first baseman who played for the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
in 1979.
Prior to playing professionally, he attended Catholic Central High School
Catholic Central High School (Troy, New York)
Catholic Central High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Troy, New York. It is located within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany.-Background:...
and then Siena College
Siena College
Siena College is an independent Roman Catholic liberal arts college in Loudonville, in the town of Colonie, New York, United States. Siena is a four-year, coeducational, independent college in the Franciscan tradition, founded by the Franciscan Friars in 1937. It has 3,000 full-time students and...
. While at Siena College, he starred in baseball and basketball, and was eventually elected to the Siena sports Hall of Fame. He was an All-American basketball player, however he chose to pursue a career in baseball instead.
He was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
in the 13th round of the 1976 amateur draft. That year, he began his professional career, playing for two teams - the Newark Co-Pilots
Newark Co-Pilots
The Newark Co-Pilots were a minor league baseball team based in Newark, New York that played in the New York-Penn League from 1968 to 1979. They were affiliated with the Seattle Pilots from 1968 to 1969 and with the Milwaukee Brewers from 1970 to 1978. They were independent in 1979. Their home...
(69 games) and the Berkshire Brewers
Berkshire Brewers
The Berkshire Brewers were a minor league baseball team that operated in 1976. They played in the Eastern League.-Future Major League Berkshire Brewers:*Dick Davis*Greg Erardi*Gary Holle*Dan Thomas*Gary Beare*Barry Cort*Greg Erardi*Sam Hinds...
(four games). He hit a combined .320 with 19 home runs, 16 doubles and four triples in 73 games.
In 1977, he played for the Holyoke Millers
Holyoke Millers
The Holyoke Millers were a minor league baseball team located in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The team played in the Eastern League. Their home stadium was Mackenzie Stadium. The Millers played from 1977 to 1982 and was a farm team of the Milwaukee Brewers the first four years and the California...
, hitting .253 with 30 home runs and 25 doubles. He split the 1978 season between the Millers (71 games) and the Spokane Indians
Spokane Indians
The Spokane Indians are a minor league baseball team located in Spokane, Washington, United States. They are a Short-Season A classification team in the Northwest League and have been a farm team of the Texas Rangers since 2003. The Indians play home games at Avista Stadium...
(65 games), hitting a combined .277 with 18 home runs and 84 RBI. On December 15, 1978, he was traded by the Brewers with Ed Farmer
Ed Farmer
Edward Joseph Farmer is a former Major League relief pitcher with an 11-year career from - and -. He played for the Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles, Milwaukee Brewers, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox and Oakland A's, all in the American League, and the Philadelphia Phillies...
to the Rangers for Reggie Cleveland
Reggie Cleveland
Reginald Leslie "Reggie" Cleveland is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.Cleveland was born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers and Milwaukee Brewers. He ended his career with 105 wins, with a 3.73 ERA and 930 strikeouts. Reggie...
. He spent most of 1979 in the minors, spending the first part of the season in the Rangers' chain, hitting .341 in 52 games for the Tucson Toros
Tucson Toros
The Tucson Toros are a professional baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona, in the United States. They are owned by Tucson Baseball, LLC with Jay Zucker as chairman of the board. Sean Smock is the team's general manager....
.
On June 2, 1979, he made his major league debut, appearing as a pinch hitter for Rangers outfielder Johnny Grubb
Johnny Grubb
John Maywood Grubb, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter, who also occasionally played at first base...
. He grounded out in his only at-bat of the game. Although his defensive position was first baseman, he only played in the field in one game in his brief big league career. He was mostly used as a pinch hitter
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
. He had six at-bats in the big leagues, collecting one hit. On June 14, 1979, he played his final big league game, and on June 15 he was traded with Ed Farmer to the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
for Eric Soderholm
Eric Soderholm
Eric Thane Soderholm is a former Major League Baseball third baseman who played for the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, and New York Yankees from 1971 to 1980...
. He finished the 1979 season with the White Sox Triple-A farm team, the Iowa Oaks, hitting .273 in 39 games for them.
He played for three minor league teams in 1980 - the Oaks, the Phoenix Giants and the Charleston Charlies
Charleston Charlies
The Charleston Charlies was the name of the third and most recent Class AAA minor league baseball franchise that was located in Charleston, West Virginia, United States. The Charlies played in the International League from 1971 to 1976 as the relocated Columbus Jets franchise. In 1977 the franchise...
. He hit a combined .316 with 12 home runs and 60 RBI in 111 games. In 1981, he played for the Edmonton Trappers
Edmonton Trappers
The Edmonton Trappers were a minor league baseball team in the Pacific Coast League, ending with the 2004 season. Home games were played at Telus Field in downtown Edmonton, Alberta, Canada....
, hitting .327 with 26 home runs and 88 RBI. He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
on October 30, 1981 with Dewey Robinson
Dewey Robinson (baseball)
Dewey Robinson is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball and current minor league instructor for the Tampa Bay Rays.-Playing career:Robinson played for the Chicago White Sox from 1979 to 1981...
for minor leaguer Jose Castro
Jose Castro (baseball)
José Castro is a former Minor League Baseball player and coach in Major League Baseball. He is currently the interim manager of the Tacoma Rainiers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners....
, however he never played in the Phillies' system.
Overall, he hit 297 with 111 home runs in six minor league seasons.
After his retirement as a player, Holle served as General Manager of the Continental Basketball Association's Albany Patroons. In that position, the Patroons won the 1984 CBA Championship, with Phil Jackson as its coach.
His son, Gary Holle, Jr., plays basketball at Siena College.
Another son of his, Greg Holle, played baseball at the Christian Brothers Academy in the Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
area and was drafted by the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in the 35th Round of the Amateur Entry Draft in 2007. However, he opted instead to attend college and currently is a starting pitcher for Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
.