Bob Garibaldi – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Bob Garibaldi’s baseball journey is one of those stories where sky-high potential never quite turned into major league stardom. This 6-foot-4 lefty from Stockton, California, exploded onto the scene in 1962, signing with the San Francisco Giants for a record $150,000 bonus—huge money back then.

Even with his stellar college stats and that massive signing check, Garibaldi pitched in just 15 big league games over four seasons between 1962 and 1969. He finished with an 0-2 record and a 3.08 ERA.

His path—from College World Series Most Outstanding Player to a pro career that didn’t pan out—really says a lot about how unpredictable sports can be. It also shines a light on the pressure and challenges that “bonus babies” of the 1960s faced.

Let’s dig into Garibaldi’s standout college years at Santa Clara University, his brief moments in the majors, and what held him back from the superstar status so many expected. His story gives us a look at the opportunities and heavy expectations that came with being one of baseball’s highest-paid young prospects during a time when teams were making big bets on talent.

Early Life and Education

Robert Roy Garibaldi was born on March 3, 1942, in Stockton, California. He honed his baseball skills throughout high school and eventually made a name for himself at Santa Clara University.

His college career included winning Most Outstanding Player at the 1962 College World Series. He also set several pitching records during his time there.

Family Background

Garibaldi spent his whole life in Stockton, California. He grew up in this Central Valley city and never really left it behind.

After he finished his time in professional baseball, he stayed in Stockton and worked in beverage distribution. For years, he also took up a gig as a college basketball referee.

When Garibaldi died on May 13, 2023, at age 81, he passed away in his hometown. His wife and three children survived him, and he was buried at Cherokee Memorial Park in nearby Lodi.

High School Years in Stockton

Garibaldi attended Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in Stockton. That’s where his baseball career really started to take shape.

His high school performances put him on the radar for college scouts. He earned a spot on the Santa Clara University baseball team after showing off his pitching skills at Stagg.

At Stagg High, he refined his pitching and developed his unique style—batting left-handed and throwing right-handed. That combo stuck with him throughout his career.

His time at Stagg set him up for what came next in college baseball.

Santa Clara University Achievements

After high school, Garibaldi took the mound for Santa Clara University. He played a key role in getting the Broncos to their first College World Series.

At the 1962 College World Series, he absolutely dominated. He won the Most Outstanding Player award—still the only player from Santa Clara to ever claim that honor.

He set two big records during the tournament:

• 38 strikeouts
• 27⅔ innings pitched

These standout performances grabbed the attention of major league scouts. The New York Mets, with Casey Stengel at the helm, even tried to get Garibaldi to sign with them.

Stengel left a game at Candlestick Park early just to go to Stockton and try to sway him. In the end, Garibaldi went with the Giants, taking their record $150,000 offer.

Collegiate Baseball Success

Garibaldi’s college career at Santa Clara University reached its high point in the 1962 College World Series. He earned the Most Outstanding Player Award and set tournament records for strikeouts and innings pitched, making him one of the top prospects in the country.

Contributions to Santa Clara Broncos

Garibaldi played a huge role in putting Santa Clara’s baseball program on the map. His pitching helped the Broncos earn national attention.

He became the anchor of Santa Clara’s pitching staff. Teams had to plan around him every time he took the mound.

Garibaldi’s leadership and skill helped Santa Clara reach the College World Series for the first time in 1962. That season changed the trajectory of the program.

He helped make Santa Clara a real contender in college baseball during the early ’60s.

1962 College World Series Performance

The 1962 College World Series really showed off Garibaldi’s pitching. He put together dominant outings that had scouts and fans taking notice.

He made several impressive appearances during the tournament. Batters struggled to get anything off him, and his strikeout numbers kept piling up.

The Broncos reached the championship game, pushing it to extra innings. Garibaldi’s pitching was a big reason they got that far.

His performance at the series proved he had the talent for the next level.

Strikeout and Innings Records

Garibaldi set two major College World Series records in 1962. He struck out 38 batters—a strikeout record that still stands out.

He also pitched 27⅔ innings during the series, showing off his stamina and grit. Handling that kind of workload under pressure isn’t easy.

Those records showed both his skill and his toughness. High strikeouts and long outings? That’s a rare combo.

Both records came during the sport’s biggest college tournament. That makes them even more impressive.

Most Outstanding Player Award

The 1962 College World Series Most Outstanding Player Award capped Garibaldi’s college career. That honor highlighted just how good he was that year.

He remains the only Santa Clara player to win it. The award recognized his record-breaking stats and his impact on the Broncos’ historic run.

His consistent performance on the biggest stage helped him earn this distinction. That recognition put him on the radar for pro teams.

Major League Baseball Career

Bob Garibaldi pitched for the San Francisco Giants over four seasons from 1962 to 1969. He put up a 3.08 ERA in 15 games, pitching 26.1 innings with 14 strikeouts and 2 saves as a reliever.

Signing with the San Francisco Giants

After his standout college run, Garibaldi joined the San Francisco Giants. He’d just helped the Broncos make their first College World Series, and the Giants saw real potential in him.

They liked his lefty bat, righty arm, and his 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame. That’s the kind of build teams love in a pitcher.

The Giants made Garibaldi one of the last $100,000 Bonus Babies—players who teams had to keep on the big league roster for a while after signing. That was a big deal at the time.

Their investment showed how much faith they had in him. His college numbers and size made him a hot commodity.

Big League Debut and First Season

Garibaldi made his MLB debut on July 15, 1962 against the New York Mets. Just 20 years old, he pitched one inning, didn’t give up a hit, and struck out one.

He appeared in nine games that rookie season, all out of the bullpen. He finished with a 5.11 ERA over 12.1 innings.

He notched 9 strikeouts and picked up his first save that year. Not bad for a rookie, though he had some ups and downs adjusting to the majors.

Garibaldi’s first season saw him allow 13 hits and 5 walks. He showed flashes of potential, but there was still room to grow.

Pitching Performance and Statistics

Garibaldi’s best year came in 1963, when he posted a 1.13 ERA in four games. He pitched eight innings, giving up just eight hits and one earned run.

Here’s how his career numbers break down:

He wrapped up his MLB career with a 0-2 record and a 3.08 ERA. In 26.1 innings, he struck out 14 and walked 11.

Final Years in MLB and 1969 Retirement

After missing 1964 and 1965, Garibaldi came back to the Giants in 1966. He pitched just one inning that season, giving up one hit but no runs.

In 1969, he got his only MLB start. Garibaldi threw five innings on October 1, which turned out to be his last big league game.

He retired that year at age 27, after seven years with the Giants organization. Four seasons in the majors, and that was it.

Key Moments and Notable Games

Garibaldi’s short MLB career still had a few memorable highlights. He made his big league debut against the New York Mets on July 15, 1962, and his final appearance seven years later was his only start.

Debut Against New York Mets

Garibaldi’s first MLB game came on July 15, 1962, facing the Mets at age 20. He came in as a reliever and tossed a scoreless inning.

He didn’t allow a hit, struck out one, and didn’t walk anyone. That’s about as clean as it gets for a debut.

That Mets team was just starting out as an expansion club and struggling to find their footing. Garibaldi’s strong inning gave fans a glimpse of why the Giants had signed him out of college.

His debut stood out as one of his better outings. The strikeout and hitless frame showed the promise that followed him from Santa Clara.

Games Under Casey Stengel’s Attention

Casey Stengel managed the Mets during Garibaldi’s rookie year. The Hall of Fame skipper saw Garibaldi’s debut from across the field.

Stengel, famous for spotting young talent, was building the Mets’ roster and always on the lookout for up-and-comers.

Garibaldi pitched in nine games as a rookie, putting up a 5.11 ERA over 12.1 innings. He mostly worked as a reliever.

With his 6-foot-4 frame and 210-pound build, Garibaldi stood out on the mound. Teams and fans noticed his presence during matchups with clubs like Stengel’s Mets.

Major League First Start in 1969

On October 1, 1969, Garibaldi made his final MLB appearance. For the first and only time, he started a game for the Giants after years of relief work.

He lasted five innings, giving up six hits and one earned run. He walked two batters and struck out one, finishing with a 1.80 ERA.

That day, Garibaldi reached both a milestone and a farewell. At 27, he took the mound for his 15th and last big league appearance, returning after a seven-year gap.

He showed he could handle a starter’s workload, even if his 1.600 WHIP hinted at some struggles. Still, logging five innings in his last shot took grit and determination.

Transitions and Trades

Bob Garibaldi’s baseball career bounced him around through several teams and assignments. He spent long stretches in the Giants’ farm system, got traded to the Kansas City Royals, and wrapped up with the San Diego Padres organization.

Minor League Tenure with Phoenix Giants

Garibaldi spent a lot of time with the Phoenix Giants, the Triple-A affiliate for San Francisco. Those years played a huge part in shaping his pro career.

Phoenix became his main stop between MLB call-ups. He took that time to work on his pitching mechanics and tried to fix the control issues that tripped him up in earlier big league outings.

While with Phoenix, Garibaldi trained alongside other Giants prospects. The desert climate gave him a chance to keep in shape all year, which helped between seasons.

His performance in Phoenix influenced when the Giants would bring him back up. Coaches and scouts kept a close eye on his progress and sent detailed reports to the front office.

Trade to Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals picked up Garibaldi in a trade, which really changed the direction of his career. This happened during MLB’s expansion era, when new teams scrambled for experienced players.

The Royals wanted Garibaldi as a possible bullpen arm to add depth to their pitching staff. They liked that he batted left and threw right, thinking it gave them some strategic options.

Fran Healy was part of that deal too, though the full terms weren’t all that public back then. Multi-player trades like this happened a lot, as teams tried to fill gaps on their rosters.

Garibaldi didn’t stick long with the Royals organization. He had a tough time adjusting to the new coaching approach and the different expectations that came with the expansion team.

San Diego Padres and Minor League Finale

Garibaldi’s last shot at pro baseball came with the San Diego Padres organization. He joined them hoping for one more chance at the majors.

Like Kansas City, the Padres were a new team looking for veterans to help guide their younger players. Garibaldi’s college success and MLB experience made him a good fit for that role.

He mostly pitched in the minors for San Diego. The team hoped he’d help develop their young pitchers and be ready in case they needed an emergency call-up.

Mike Jackson was one of the other players in the Padres’ system at that time, though their paths only crossed briefly. As Garibaldi’s own pitching faded, he focused more on mentoring the next generation.

His time with the Padres closed out his pro career. By then, his stats showed the usual wear and tear that comes with years in baseball.

Post-Baseball Life and Legacy

After he wrapped up his Major League Baseball career in 1969, Bob Garibaldi switched gears and became a college basketball referee. He still held several records from his short but memorable baseball days. Even after baseball, he stayed close to competitive sports, just in a different role.

Career as College Basketball Referee

When Garibaldi retired from baseball, he decided to try something new and jumped into college basketball officiating. He brought his sports experience to the court, working as a referee at the college level.

This move let Garibaldi stay involved in athletics after his playing days ended. Officiating basketball games required a different skill set, but his background as a professional athlete probably helped him relate to the pressure and intensity of competition.

Not many former MLB players go into basketball refereeing. Garibaldi’s choice showed just how much he loved sports, even if he wasn’t the one competing anymore.

His work as a referee kept him in the world of college athletics. He managed to stay close to the competitive energy he’d known as a ballplayer.

Honors, Records, and Impact

Garibaldi really made his mark at Santa Clara University. He picked up the 1962 College World Series Most Outstanding Player award, and to this day, he stands as the only Santa Clara player with that honor.

In that same College World Series, he set two records:

• 38 strikeouts (strikeout record)
• 27 2/3 innings pitched (innings pitched record)

His pro career had its own odd twist. Garibaldi became the last $100,000 bonus baby pitcher who never won a game in Major League Baseball. That stat says a lot about the pressure on him and the tough road he faced in the big leagues.

The San Francisco Giants gave him a $150,000 signing bonus, which was a record at the time. Clearly, the Giants saw something special in him after his college run.

Even though his time in the majors was short, Garibaldi’s college feats and his unusual spot in baseball history still stand out. Those College World Series records and his Most Outstanding Player award? They’re still the high points of his baseball story.