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In September 1972, Gamble was called up by the Tigers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gamble joins Detroit Tigers|newspaper=Reno Gazette-Journal|date=September 7, 1972|page=19|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109632263/gamble/|via=]}}</ref> He made his MLB debut for the franchise on September 7, 1972, at the age of 24,<ref name=BR/> entering as a ] and ] in ] during his only ] in a 9–0 loss against the ].<ref name=SABR/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL197209070.shtml|title=September 7, 1972 Detroit Tigers at Baltimore Orioles Box Score Play by Play and Box Score|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|date=September 7, 1972|access-date=September 14, 2022}}</ref> In his next four appearances, he was utilized only as a ]. He then had two plate appearances in the final game he played that season on October 4, but went hitless and did not reach base.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=gambljo01&t=b&year=1972|title=John Gamble 1972 Batting Game Logs|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=September 14, 2022}}</ref> He also played seven innings at shortstop during that same game,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=gambljo01&t=f&year=1972|title=John Gamble 1972 Fielding Game Logs|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=September 15, 2022}}</ref> his first and only major league appearance at defense.<ref name=BR/> Although manager ] reportedly wanted Gamble to replace the injured ] for the ], he was not added to the playoff roster.<ref name=SABR/> In September 1972, Gamble was called up by the Tigers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gamble joins Detroit Tigers|newspaper=Reno Gazette-Journal|date=September 7, 1972|page=19|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109632263/gamble/|via=]}}</ref> He made his MLB debut for the franchise on September 7, 1972, at the age of 24,<ref name=BR/> entering as a ] and ] in ] during his only ] in a 9–0 loss against the ].<ref name=SABR/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL197209070.shtml|title=September 7, 1972 Detroit Tigers at Baltimore Orioles Box Score Play by Play and Box Score|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|date=September 7, 1972|access-date=September 14, 2022}}</ref> In his next four appearances, he was utilized only as a ]. He then had two plate appearances in the final game he played that season on October 4, but went hitless and did not reach base.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=gambljo01&t=b&year=1972|title=John Gamble 1972 Batting Game Logs|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=September 14, 2022}}</ref> He also played seven innings at shortstop during that same game,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=gambljo01&t=f&year=1972|title=John Gamble 1972 Fielding Game Logs|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=September 15, 2022}}</ref> his first and only major league appearance at defense.<ref name=BR/> Although manager ] reportedly wanted Gamble to replace the injured ] for the ], he was not added to the playoff roster.<ref name=SABR/>


After ] in 1973, Gamble returned to the Toledo Mud Hens.<ref name=SABR/> However, he was called up in mid-May 1973. At the time, manager Billy Martin complained about the lack of speed on the Tigers roster and noted: "e definitely need some good baserunning. That's one thing Gamble can do -- he can steal a base."<ref>{{cite news|title=Tigers Swap Catchers with NL Braves|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|author=Jim Hawkins|date=May 15, 1973|page=1D|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109632682/tigers-swap-catchers-with-nl-braves/|via=]}}</ref> Gamble played his first major league game of the 1973 season on May 16. After entering as a pinch runner in ], he scored the winning ] on a walk-off ] by ] in what turned out to be the only run he would score in his major league career.<ref name=SABR/><ref name="1973 batting log">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=gambljo01&t=b&year=1973|title=John Gamble 1973 Batting Game Logs|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=September 15, 2022}}</ref> He played in six more games – all as a pinch runner<ref name="1973 batting log"/> – before being sent back down to the minor leagues at the end of May and undergoing season-ending knee surgery shortly thereafter.<ref name=SABR/><ref>{{cite news|title=Tigers' Gamble Enters Hospital|newspaper=Nevada State Journal|date=July 11, 1973|page=24|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109637383/john-gamble/|via=]}}</ref> Gamble played his final major league game on May 25, 1973, at the age of 25.<ref name=BR/> Although he played 11 of his 13 major league games solely as a pinch runner, he did not attempt a stolen base.<ref name=BR/><ref name=SABR/> He continued playing in the minor leagues until retiring at the end of the 1976 season.<ref name=SABR/><ref name=BRm/> After ] in 1973, Gamble returned to the Toledo Mud Hens.<ref name=SABR/> However, he was called up in mid-May 1973. At the time, manager Billy Martin complained about the lack of speed on the Tigers roster and noted: "e definitely need some good baserunning. That's one thing Gamble can do – he can steal a base."<ref>{{cite news|title=Tigers Swap Catchers with NL Braves|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|author=Jim Hawkins|date=May 15, 1973|page=1D|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109632682/tigers-swap-catchers-with-nl-braves/|via=]}}</ref> Gamble played his first major league game of the 1973 season on May 16. After entering as a pinch runner in ], he scored the winning ] on a walk-off ] by ] in what turned out to be the only run he would score in his major league career.<ref name=SABR/><ref name="1973 batting log">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=gambljo01&t=b&year=1973|title=John Gamble 1973 Batting Game Logs|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=September 15, 2022}}</ref> He played in six more games – all as a pinch runner<ref name="1973 batting log"/> – before being sent back down to the minor leagues at the end of May and undergoing season-ending knee surgery shortly thereafter.<ref name=SABR/><ref>{{cite news|title=Tigers' Gamble Enters Hospital|newspaper=Nevada State Journal|date=July 11, 1973|page=24|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109637383/john-gamble/|via=]}}</ref> Gamble played his final major league game on May 25, 1973, at the age of 25.<ref name=BR/> Although he played 11 of his 13 major league games solely as a pinch runner, he did not attempt a stolen base.<ref name=BR/><ref name=SABR/> He continued playing in the minor leagues until retiring at the end of the 1976 season.<ref name=SABR/><ref name=BRm/>


He played for the Evansville Triplets from 1974 to 1976,<ref name=BRm/> shifting from utility infielder to third baseman.<ref>{{cite news|title=Most improved? He's a Gamble|newspaper=Evansville Courier and Press|author=Pete Swanson|date=June 8, 1975|page=2C|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109633487/gamble/|via=]}}</ref> In 1975, he compiled a .288 batting average and stole 13 bases while leading Evansville to a pennant and the Junior World Series.<ref name=BRm/><ref>{{cite news|title=Triplets' 'long' season has gone too fast for Gamble|newspaper=Evansville Press|date=August 17, 1976|page=16|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109633170/gamble/|via=]}}</ref> He was released by the Tigers in the spring of 1977.<ref>{{cite news|title=John Gamble released|newspaper=Evansville Press|date=March 6, 1977|page=|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109633008/john-gamble-released/|via=]}}</ref> He played for the Evansville Triplets from 1974 to 1976,<ref name=BRm/> shifting from utility infielder to third baseman.<ref>{{cite news|title=Most improved? He's a Gamble|newspaper=Evansville Courier and Press|author=Pete Swanson|date=June 8, 1975|page=2C|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109633487/gamble/|via=]}}</ref> In 1975, he compiled a .288 batting average and stole 13 bases while leading Evansville to a pennant and the Junior World Series.<ref name=BRm/><ref>{{cite news|title=Triplets' 'long' season has gone too fast for Gamble|newspaper=Evansville Press|date=August 17, 1976|page=16|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109633170/gamble/|via=]}}</ref> He was released by the Tigers in the spring of 1977.<ref>{{cite news|title=John Gamble released|newspaper=Evansville Press|date=March 6, 1977|page=|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109633008/john-gamble-released/|via=]}}</ref>

Revision as of 09:01, 18 September 2022

American baseball player (1948–2022)

Baseball player
John Gamble
Shortstop
Born: (1948-02-10)February 10, 1948
Reno, Nevada
Died: September 1, 2022(2022-09-01) (aged 74)
Orovada, Nevada
Batted: RightThrew: Right
MLB debut
September 7, 1972, for the Detroit Tigers
Last MLB appearance
May 25, 1973, for the Detroit Tigers
MLB statistics
Batting average.000
Home runs0
RBI0
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

John Robert Gamble Jr. (February 10, 1948 – September 1, 2022) was an American professional baseball shortstop who played thirteen games for the Detroit Tigers in two seasons of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1972 to 1973. He batted and threw right handed and served primarily as a pinch runner.

Early life

Gamble was born in Reno, Nevada, on February 10, 1948. He was the first of three sons of John Sr. and Muriel Gamble, both of whom worked as teachers. His father also served as superintendent of public education in Nevada from 1966 to 1978.

Gamble attended Carson High School in nearby Carson City, Nevada, where he starred in basketball and football in addition to baseball. He posted batting averages of .479 and .420 during his junior and senior years, respectively, which caught the attention of scouts and led to him being offered a baseball scholarship by the University of the Pacific.

Professional career

Los Angeles Dodgers farm system

Gamble was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second round of the 1966 Major League Baseball draft. In June 1966, he signed with the Dodgers and received a bonus that was reported as the second highest paid to that date to a baseball prospect from Nevada.

Gamble played seven seasons in the Dodgers' farm system from 1966 to 1972. He distinguished himself with his base stealing prowess, stealing a total of 169 bases from 1968 to 1971. He tallied a career-high 60 stolen bases in 1970 for Daytona Beach. In 1970, he held the Florida State League both stolen bases and runs scored (91). On defense, he showed a talent for turning the double play (50 in 1968, 56 in 1969), but led the Florida State League's shortstops with 76 errors in 1968.

Detroit Tigers

Gamble was eventually acquired by the Detroit Tigers in the 1970 Rule 5 draft. He spent the 1971 season with the Tigers' Double-A Montgomery Rebels, appearing in 137 games with a .252 batting average. In 1972, he was promoted to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, appearing in 128 games with a .268 batting average.

In September 1972, Gamble was called up by the Tigers. He made his MLB debut for the franchise on September 7, 1972, at the age of 24, entering as a pinch hitter and popping out in foul territory during his only plate appearance in a 9–0 loss against the Baltimore Orioles. In his next four appearances, he was utilized only as a pinch runner. He then had two plate appearances in the final game he played that season on October 4, but went hitless and did not reach base. He also played seven innings at shortstop during that same game, his first and only major league appearance at defense. Although manager Billy Martin reportedly wanted Gamble to replace the injured Ed Brinkman for the 1972 postseason, he was not added to the playoff roster.

After spring training in 1973, Gamble returned to the Toledo Mud Hens. However, he was called up in mid-May 1973. At the time, manager Billy Martin complained about the lack of speed on the Tigers roster and noted: "e definitely need some good baserunning. That's one thing Gamble can do – he can steal a base." Gamble played his first major league game of the 1973 season on May 16. After entering as a pinch runner in extra innings, he scored the winning run on a walk-off sacrifice fly by Mickey Stanley in what turned out to be the only run he would score in his major league career. He played in six more games – all as a pinch runner – before being sent back down to the minor leagues at the end of May and undergoing season-ending knee surgery shortly thereafter. Gamble played his final major league game on May 25, 1973, at the age of 25. Although he played 11 of his 13 major league games solely as a pinch runner, he did not attempt a stolen base. He continued playing in the minor leagues until retiring at the end of the 1976 season.

He played for the Evansville Triplets from 1974 to 1976, shifting from utility infielder to third baseman. In 1975, he compiled a .288 batting average and stole 13 bases while leading Evansville to a pennant and the Junior World Series. He was released by the Tigers in the spring of 1977.

Personal life

Gamble married Dawn in 1969. Together, they had two children: Cory and Tawnya. They eventually divorced. After retiring from professional baseball, Gamble worked for Washoe County Parks until 2005. He also coached high school baseball and softball in his hometown.

Gamble died on September 1, 2022, while dove hunting with his family in Orovada, Nevada. He was 74, and suffered from a cardiac event prior to his death.

References

  1. ^ "John Gamble Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  2. ^ Moody, Chad. "John Gamble". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  3. "John Gamble Is Named Supt. Public Instruction". Mission Valley News. May 27, 1966. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Nevada's school chief ready for retirement". Reno Gazette-Journal. March 27, 1978. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "John Gamble: Ex-Carson athlete now with Tigers". Reno Gazette-Journal. May 17, 1973 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Dean Smith (June 17, 1966). "Fat Bonus: Dodgers Sign Carson Fielder". Reno Gazette-Journal. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "John Gamble Minor Leagues Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  8. "Toledo picks John Gamble in draft". Reno Gazette-Journal. December 15, 1970. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Gamble joins Detroit Tigers". Reno Gazette-Journal. September 7, 1972. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "September 7, 1972 Detroit Tigers at Baltimore Orioles Box Score Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. September 7, 1972. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  11. "John Gamble 1972 Batting Game Logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  12. "John Gamble 1972 Fielding Game Logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  13. Jim Hawkins (May 15, 1973). "Tigers Swap Catchers with NL Braves". Detroit Free Press. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "John Gamble 1973 Batting Game Logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  15. "Tigers' Gamble Enters Hospital". Nevada State Journal. July 11, 1973. p. 24 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. Pete Swanson (June 8, 1975). "Most improved? He's a Gamble". Evansville Courier and Press. p. 2C – via Newspapers.com.
  17. "Triplets' 'long' season has gone too fast for Gamble". Evansville Press. August 17, 1976. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. "John Gamble released". Evansville Press. March 6, 1977 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ Murray, Chris (September 14, 2022). "John Gamble, first local player to reach Major League Baseball, dies at age 74". Nevada Sports Network. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  20. "John Robert Gamble Jr. – Obituary". Sonoma Funeral Home. Retrieved September 14, 2022.

External sources

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