Wes Gardner
Encyclopedia
Wesley Brian Gardner is a retired Major League Baseball
pitcher
drafted by the New York Mets
in the 22nd round of the 1982 Major League Baseball Draft
out of the University of Central Arkansas
.
at Shea Stadium
. He appeared in thirty games for the Mets in 1984 and , going 1-3 with a 6.03 earned run average
.
along with John Christensen
, Calvin Schiraldi
and La Schelle Tarver
for Bob Ojeda
, Tom McCarthy
, John Mitchell
and Chris Bayer. He emerged as the team's closer
in , leading the BoSox with ten saves. On July 28, he made his first start
since with the New York-Penn League Little Falls Mets
.
During the off-season, Boston
acquired Lee Smith
to assume closing duties for . After starting the season in the Red Sox's bullpen
, Gardner was moved into the starting rotation on June 28. In his first start, Gardner gave up only one earned run
in seven innings innings pitched
to earn the win
. Gardner won his first four decisions as a starter, and enjoyed career highs in wins
(8), strikeouts (106), ERA (3.50) and innings pitched
(149) for the season.
Gardner's only post-season appearance came in game three of the 1988 American League Championship Series
against the Oakland Athletics
. He replaced Mike Boddicker
in the third inning with the Sox behind 6-5, and had a no decision in the 10-6 loss to the A's.
for two minor leaguers on December 15, . Gardner pitched poorly in San Diego, and was released on May 31, . He signed with the Kansas City Royals
a month later, spending most of the season with their American Association affiliate, the Omaha Royals
. Gardner only gave up one earned run in 5.2 innings with the big league club, however, he was released on August 8, 1991.
In , Gardner was inducted into the University of Central Arkansas Bears Hall of Fame.
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...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
drafted by the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
in the 22nd round of the 1982 Major League Baseball Draft
1982 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1982 Major League Baseball draft.- Other notable players :*Barry Bonds was drafted by the Giants in the 2nd round of the 1982 amateur draft, but did not sign...
out of the University of Central Arkansas
University of Central Arkansas
The University of Central Arkansas is a state-run institution located in the city of Conway, the seat of Faulkner County, north of Little Rock and is the fourth largest university by enrollment in the U.S. state of Arkansas, and the third largest college system in the state. The school is most...
.
New York Mets
Gardner made his major league debut with the Mets on July 29, , pitching a perfect ninth inning in the Mets' 5-1 loss to the Chicago CubsChicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
at Shea Stadium
Shea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
. He appeared in thirty games for the Mets in 1984 and , going 1-3 with a 6.03 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
.
Boston Red Sox
On November 13, 1985, Gardner was traded to the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
along with John Christensen
John Christensen (baseball)
John Lawrence Christensen is a former professional baseball outfielder. He played all or part of four seasons in Major League Baseball between 1984 and 1988.- New York Mets :...
, Calvin Schiraldi
Calvin Schiraldi
Calvin Drew Schiraldi is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is best remembered as the losing pitcher of Game 6 and Game 7 of the 1986 World Series.-Amateur career:...
and La Schelle Tarver
La Schelle Tarver
La Schelle Tarver is a former backup outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox during the season. Listed at 5' 11", 165 lb., he batted and threw left-handed....
for Bob Ojeda
Bob Ojeda
Robert Michael Ojeda is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. Ojeda is best remembered as an anchor in the 1986 World Series Champion New York Mets starting rotation , and for being the lone survivor of a March 22, boating accident that killed fellow Cleveland Indians pitchers...
, Tom McCarthy
Tom McCarthy (1980s pitcher)
Thomas Michael McCarthy is a former middle relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox...
, John Mitchell
John Mitchell (baseball)
John Kyle Mitchell is a former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched in parts of five Major League Baseball seasons, from through , for the New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles.-Boating accident:...
and Chris Bayer. He emerged as the team's closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
in , leading the BoSox with ten saves. On July 28, he made his first start
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
since with the New York-Penn League Little Falls Mets
Little Falls Mets
The Little Falls Mets were a minor league baseball team located in Little Falls, New York. The team played in the New York - Penn League, and were affiliated with the New York Mets. Their home stadium was Little Falls Veterans Memorial Park...
.
During the off-season, Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
acquired Lee Smith
Lee Smith (baseball)
Lee Arthur Smith is an American right-handed former baseball pitcher who played 18 years in Major League Baseball for eight teams. Pitching primarily for the Chicago Cubs, with whom he spent his first eight seasons, Lee served mostly as a relief pitcher during his career...
to assume closing duties for . After starting the season in the Red Sox's bullpen
Bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a game. Depending on the ballpark, it may be situated in foul territory along the baselines or just beyond the outfield fence. Also, a team's roster of relief pitchers is metonymically referred to as "the bullpen"...
, Gardner was moved into the starting rotation on June 28. In his first start, Gardner gave up only one earned run
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as an earned run...
in seven innings innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
to earn the win
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
. Gardner won his first four decisions as a starter, and enjoyed career highs in wins
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
(8), strikeouts (106), ERA (3.50) and innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
(149) for the season.
Gardner's only post-season appearance came in game three of the 1988 American League Championship Series
1988 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 5, 1988 at Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsIn an interview conducted before Game 1, José Canseco denied reports in that day's Washington Post by baseball reporter Thomas Boswell that he had used steroids...
against the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
. He replaced Mike Boddicker
Mike Boddicker
For the similarly named musician , see Michael BoddickerMichael James "Mike" Boddicker was a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles , Boston Red Sox , Kansas City Royals , and Milwaukee Brewers...
in the third inning with the Sox behind 6-5, and had a no decision in the 10-6 loss to the A's.
Final season
Gardner spent two more seasons with the Red Sox before being traded to the San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
for two minor leaguers on December 15, . Gardner pitched poorly in San Diego, and was released on May 31, . He signed with the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
a month later, spending most of the season with their American Association affiliate, the Omaha Royals
Omaha Royals
The Omaha Storm Chasers are a United States minor league baseball team currently based in the Omaha suburb of Papillion, Nebraska. The team is the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals major league club and has been a member of the expanded Pacific Coast League since 1998. From 1969 to 1997,...
. Gardner only gave up one earned run in 5.2 innings with the big league club, however, he was released on August 8, 1991.
In , Gardner was inducted into the University of Central Arkansas Bears Hall of Fame.