Gary Allenson – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Gary Allenson’s name doesn’t show up on Hall of Fame plaques, but his time in Major League Baseball really captures the grit and determination you see in so many pro ballplayers. Born in Culver City, California, Allenson managed to carve out a seven-year career as a catcher, mostly with the Boston Red Sox, before he called it quits in 1985.

His journey mirrors the stories of countless players who made up the backbone of MLB in the late ’70s and early ’80s.

Allenson wrapped up his playing days in 1985 after suiting up for 14 games with the Toronto Blue Jays. That capped off a career spanning seven seasons, where he picked up 235 hits, 19 home runs, and 131 RBIs in 1,061 at-bats.

He got his start with a bit of promise after Boston drafted him in 1976. Pretty quickly, he built a reputation as a reliable defensive catcher with a strong arm, gunning down base stealers at a 32% clip over his career.

But you know, Allenson didn’t just disappear after his playing days ended. He moved right into coaching and managing, sticking around the sport for decades. His path—from Arizona State University to the majors, then on to developing future players—really shows both the struggles and the rewards of pro baseball.

Looking at his career, you see more than just stats. You see the kind of determination it takes to make it, even if you never become a superstar.

Early Life and Path to Professional Baseball

Gary Allenson’s road to Major League Baseball started out in California. He played ball from Little League all the way through college.

He moved from Culver City to Arizona State University, where he stood out in two College World Series appearances. Boston drafted him in 1976 after that run.

Childhood and Family Background

Gary Martin Allenson was born on February 4, 1955, in Culver City, California. His parents, Barbara and John Allenson, Sr., worked hard—his dad, a World War II Marine vet from Guadalcanal, sold beer and liquor and loved baseball, while his mom worked for the local school district.

Gary mostly grew up in Hawthorne, California, alongside his older brother John Jr., who was seven years ahead of him. The family even spent a few years down in San Diego.

Baseball became a big part of Gary’s life early. He was a Little League all-star, playing shortstop and pitcher with Mike Colbern, who later made it to the majors. In one Little League All-Star game, Gary beat out future Cy Young winner Mike Scott.

As a teen, Gary played Middle League and also joined a Sunday league with guys in their early twenties. Facing older players toughened him up and sharpened his skills.

High School and Collegiate Achievements

At Lawndale High School, Gary starred as a shortstop and pitcher under coach Paul Pettit, who once pitched for the Pirates. Pettit even called him the best hitter he’d coached in a decade, saying, “a very definite major league prospect.”

High School Stats:

• Junior Year: Co-MVP in Pioneer League, hit .430, went 11-3 as a pitcher
• Senior Year: Hit .341, named All-CIF-3A All-Star

Gary wanted to go to USC or Arizona State but didn’t get a scholarship offer at first. He almost went to Loyola, but Arizona State came through with a scholarship just two weeks before classes started.

At Arizona State, he played for coach Jim Brock and became a key contributor. He started at second base as a freshman, switched to catcher as a sophomore, then moved to third base his last two years.

College World Series:

• 1975: Hit .444, made the All-Tournament Team at third base
• 1976: Hit .389, drove in 5 runs in his last college games

He finished his college career with a .306 average and helped the Sun Devils reach the College World Series twice, finishing third both times. He also played for Team USA in the 1975 Pan American Games and took home a silver medal.

MLB Draft and Signing

On June 8, 1976, the Boston Red Sox picked Allenson in the ninth round of the draft. That same year, his ASU teammate Floyd Bannister went first overall.

Red Sox scout Ray Boone signed him on June 28, 1976. Gary tried to bump the signing bonus from $8,000 to $10,000, but Boone just asked, “Do you want to play ball or carry a lunch pail?”

Gary took the $8,000 and headed straight to the Bristol Red Sox in Double-A. That was the start of his pro career, and within three years, he’d make it to the big leagues.

His college nickname, “Mugsy,” stuck with him after he came off the field with mud on his face as a freshman at Arizona State.

Major League Career Overview

Gary Allenson played seven seasons in the majors, mostly catching for the Boston Red Sox from 1979 to 1984. He finished with a .221 batting average, 19 homers, and 131 RBIs in 416 games.

He spent most of his time as a backup catcher, though he did get two seasons as Boston’s main guy behind the plate.

Debut With the Boston Red Sox

Allenson made his big league debut on April 8, 1979, with the Red Sox at age 24. Boston had drafted him in the ninth round after his college days at Arizona State.

He earned his shot through solid minor league play. In 1978, his third pro season, he was named International League All-Star catcher and MVP, hitting .299 with 20 home runs in 133 games.

During his rookie year in 1979, Allenson became Boston’s main starting catcher. He filled in for Carlton Fisk, who was injured that season and would later go to the Hall of Fame.

That early responsibility gave Allenson valuable experience for one of baseball’s most storied teams.

Role as a Catcher

At 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, Allenson mostly worked as a backup. But after Fisk left as a free agent following 1980, Gary became Boston’s starting catcher for the 1982 and 1983 seasons.

Those two years were his shot as a regular, handling the grind of being the Red Sox’s main catcher.

After that, he went back to a backup role, catching for Boston in 1980-81 and again in 1984. His experience and know-how made him a good fit for managing pitching staffs and helping out younger players.

Career-Defining Moments

Allenson’s most memorable stretch came in 1982 and 1983, when he was Boston’s regular catcher. Those years really showed he could handle the daily grind behind the plate.

His 1978 minor league MVP season was huge, too. Twenty homers and a .299 average helped him break through to the majors.

People called him “Muggsy.” He was steady on defense and called a good game, earning plenty of respect, even if his bat wasn’t exactly intimidating.

Transition to Toronto Blue Jays

Allenson’s last MLB season came in 1985 with the Toronto Blue Jays. Boston traded him to Toronto, where he played just 14 games that year.

His last major league game was August 23, 1985, against the White Sox. That marked the end of his seven-year run from 1979 to 1985.

Veteran catchers like Allenson often find work because teams value their experience with pitching staffs—even if they don’t play much. His stint with Toronto was short but wrapped up a solid career.

Performance Highlights and Statistics

Gary Allenson put together a .221 career batting average with 19 home runs and 131 RBIs in 416 MLB games. His defense behind the plate stood out more than his offense, especially his ability to handle pitchers.

Career Batting Average

Allenson’s .221 career average was pretty typical for a defense-first catcher in his era. His best year at the plate came in 1980, when he hit .357 in 36 games for the Red Sox.

That 1980 season was a bit of a breakout—he had a .452 on-base percentage and slugged .443, picking up 25 hits in 70 at-bats.

His worst season with the bat came in 1985 in Toronto, where he hit just .118 in 14 games before retiring.

Over his six years with Boston, he hit .225, a touch better than his career mark thanks to that rough final season in Toronto.

Notable RBI Achievements

Allenson drove in 131 runs during his MLB career, with his best season coming in 1982. That year, he notched 33 RBIs in 92 games as Boston’s main catcher.

In 1981, he chipped in 25 RBIs in 47 games—a solid showing for a backup.

He averaged 51 RBIs per 162 games played. Most of his RBIs came from timely hits rather than power, with just 19 career home runs.

For his era, those RBI totals were respectable. He made the most of his chances, even if the numbers don’t jump off the page.

Fielding Prowess and Defense

Allenson’s defense was his calling card. He had a .984 career fielding percentage, showing steady hands and good positioning.

His knack for throwing out base stealers was valuable. In 1982, he nailed 32 of 73 runners, a 43.8% success rate.

Opposing runners swiped bases at a 31.4% rate when Allenson caught, which stacked up well against league averages.

Pitchers respected his pitch framing and game-calling. His defense kept him in the majors for seven seasons, even when his bat went cold.

He also filled in at third base now and then, showing a bit of versatility for Boston.

The 1985 Season and Retirement

Gary Allenson closed out his MLB career with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1985. That ended a seven-year run that started with a lot of hope but wound down with not much playing time.

He retired at 30, closing the book on his big league playing days, but he wasn’t done with baseball—coaching and managing came next.

Final Games and Contributions

The Blue Jays picked up Allenson in a trade for the 1985 season. He played in just 14 games that year.

His last game was August 23, 1985, against the White Sox. He went 0-for-4 at the plate in his final at-bat.

He served as a backup catcher that season. At 30, he found himself mostly watching from the bench.

Still, he brought some veteran experience to the Blue Jays’ roster during a competitive year.

Decision to Retire

Allenson decided to retire after the 1985 season. With playing time drying up, it just didn’t make sense to keep grinding it out.

He hung up his gear at 30, a bit younger than some catchers who manage to stick around. But his role had shrunk a lot compared to his earlier days in Boston.

His seven-year career ended with a .221 average in 1,061 at-bats. The numbers tell the story of a guy who fought to stick as a regular.

Catching takes a toll, and with no real shot at more playing time, he figured it was time to move on.

Immediate Post-Retirement Reflections

After retiring in 1985, Allenson jumped right into coaching and managing. He brought his knowledge of the game and catching skills into player development.

By 1987, just two years after calling it quits as a player, he started managing in minor league systems. That quick move made it clear he wanted to stick around in baseball, even if his days on the field were done.

He worked in both the Yankees and Red Sox minor league organizations. Since he spent six of his seven big league seasons in Boston, it just made sense for him to find opportunities there.

In 1989, Allenson even played a bit with the Winter Haven Super Sox of the Senior Professional Baseball Association. He hit .340 in 43 games, showing he still had it even after leaving the majors.

Post-Playing Career and Contributions to Baseball

Gary Allenson built a long career in pro baseball after 1985, working as both a minor league manager and a major league coach for several teams. He spent over thirty years developing players and left his mark at every level.

Coaching and Managing Roles

Allenson kicked off his post-playing career in 1987 as manager of the Oneonta Yankees in the Yankees’ farm system. Over two seasons, he went 89-62 and led the team to the New York-Penn League title in 1988.

In 1989, he returned to the Red Sox organization. He managed at Lynchburg for two years, then spent a season at New Britain. The Red Sox bumped him up to Boston in 1992, where he took on the bullpen coach job for two seasons and became third-base coach in 1994.

He managed teams in the Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, and Milwaukee Brewers systems during the late ’90s and early 2000s. In Milwaukee, he worked as first-base coach in 2000, then third-base coach from 2001 to 2002.

The Baltimore Orioles organization gave him another big opportunity. Allenson managed the Ottawa Lynx, Norfolk Tides, and other affiliates. They promoted him to Baltimore as third-base coach in June 2010 when Juan Samuel stepped in as interim manager.

By 2016, Allenson had racked up a 1,311-1,440 (.477) record over 22 seasons as a minor league manager.

Impact on Young Players

Allenson made his biggest impact developing minor league talent in several organizations. With experience managing from rookie ball up to Triple-A, he gained a real feel for player development.

He managed the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and Buffalo Bisons in the Toronto Blue Jays system from 2013 to 2017. These teams played key roles in getting future major leaguers ready.

In 2012, he managed the Aberdeen IronBirds, and that season ended up featured in a 2021 memoir called Clubbie. The book gave a look at how he worked with young players in Short Season-Class A ball.

Allenson’s background as a backup catcher who filled in for Carlton Fisk gave him a unique perspective on player roles and development. He understood the ups and downs players face at different points in their careers.

Involvement With Major Leaguers

Allenson worked directly with big leaguers during his coaching jobs with Boston, Milwaukee, and Baltimore. His time as a player helped him connect with current major leaguers.

As Boston’s bullpen coach, he worked with relief pitchers during games and practices. When he became third-base coach, he interacted with hitters and base runners in crucial game moments.

In Milwaukee, he spent three seasons as first-base and third-base coach. Those roles kept him close to the team’s position players and involved in key decisions.

When Baltimore fired manager Dave Trembley in 2010, Allenson stepped in as third-base coach during a tough stretch. He brought some needed stability as the team shifted to Juan Samuel as interim manager.

In October 2017, the Blue Jays and Allenson parted ways, ending his last managing run with the Fisher Cats.

Legacy, Recognition, and Personal Life

Gary Allenson left a real mark on baseball with his defensive skills and his hands-on approach to teaching the catching position. He earned College World Series honors and managed a smooth shift into coaching and managing after his playing days.

Influence on Modern Catchers

Allenson’s defense behind the plate set a high bar for backup catchers in the late ’70s and early ’80s. In his rookie season, he threw out 28 runners trying to steal and handled the Red Sox pitching staff with confidence.

He had a quick release and kept runners honest. In 1978 with Pawtucket, he threw out 43 base stealers and even picked off 26 guys at first base.

His approach to game management influenced younger catchers throughout his coaching career. Working with different pitching staffs in several organizations gave him plenty of insight into what the position demanded as the game changed.

Honors and Awards

Allenson picked up some impressive honors during his amateur and pro career. At Arizona State University, he made the All-Tournament Team at third base in the 1975 College World Series, hitting .444.

He played in two College World Series with Arizona State finishing third both times. The 1976 Sun Devils set a school record with 65 wins and sent 13 players to the majors.

In 1978, he won the International League MVP award with the Pawtucket Red Sox. That year, he hit .299 with 20 homers and 76 RBIs in 133 games.

He also played internationally, winning a silver medal with the United States team at the 1975 Pan American Games. The team went 6-2, losing only to Cuba in the gold medal game.

Life After Baseball

After his playing days, Allenson stuck with baseball through coaching and managing. He worked as the Boston Red Sox bullpen coach in 1992 and 1993, then took on the third base coach role in 1994.

He managed teams across several organizations, including the Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, and Milwaukee Brewers systems. In 2013, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, hired him as their manager.

Allenson married Dorothy Ann Keller on November 8, 1980. They met at Pawtucket, actually during a rain delay, when Dorothy was working as an usherette at Tidewater Tides games.

They raised three sons: Kelvin, born in 1986, Kody in 1990, and Kyler in 1994. Baseball stayed right at the heart of their family, and Allenson kept working in player development well into the 2010s.