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

Gary Melvin Kroll is one of baseball’s more intriguing stories—a mix of raw talent, big potential, and the sometimes tough realities of pro sports. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 220 pounds, Kroll drew the eyes of Major League Baseball scouts even though he’d never pitched in organized baseball before the Philadelphia Phillies signed him in 1959.

Kroll’s short but memorable MLB career stretched from 1964 to 1969. He suited up for four teams: the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Houston Astros, and Cleveland Indians. He showed flashes of brilliance in the minors—he even tossed two no-hitters and had a wild season with 309 strikeouts. Still, control issues kept him from really sticking as a major league regular.

Gary Kroll’s story highlights just how complicated baseball success can be. Raw talent only gets you so far—players need solid coaching and time to refine their mechanics. His journey sheds light on the challenges that promising pitchers faced in the 1960s, and how teams approached player development during that era of baseball history.

Early Life and Background

Gary Melvin Kroll was born July 8, 1941, in Culver City, California. He grew up in the Los Angeles area in a working-class family.

His path to professional baseball was anything but typical. He didn’t play organized baseball as a kid and only realized he could pitch after finishing high school.

Family and Childhood in Culver City

Gary came into the world on July 8, 1941, in Culver City, California. He spent his childhood in a modest home in the LA area.

His mom, Billie, stayed home and cared for the family. His stepdad, Howard, took on different jobs—security guard, car service manager, you name it.

The Krolls lived a regular working-class life in Southern California. Gary never played in organized baseball leagues growing up.

He got his baseball fix by playing pickup games in empty lots around the neighborhood. Those informal games were all he knew of baseball as a kid.

Education and High School Baseball at Reseda

Gary went to Reseda High School in Reseda, California, and graduated in 1959.

Unlike most future MLB players, Kroll didn’t play baseball for his high school team. He went through high school without any formal baseball experience or training.

There’s not much out there about his athletic background at Reseda. No records show him joining any organized sports at the school.

This lack of formal baseball experience makes his later professional career even more surprising. Most big-league players start out in youth leagues or high school teams.

Initial Interest in Baseball

Gary’s break into pro baseball happened almost by accident. He’d never pitched before a Philadelphia Phillies scout spotted him.

He got his first taste of organized baseball during a workout at a park in Los Angeles. Phillies scout Dan Regan noticed his size and raw arm during that informal session.

“When the Phillies signed me I’d never pitched,” Kroll said. “I worked out at a park in Los Angeles, and a scout named Dan Regan said, ‘Hey do you want to sign?’ I said, ‘Sure.’”

Regan signed him as a pitcher, even though he’d never pitched in a real game. The Phillies sent him to the Instructional League to see what he could do.

Gary signed with the Phillies on June 5, 1959, and got a $1,000 signing bonus. He was just 17 and had no idea that chance meeting would launch his baseball career.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Gary Kroll pitched in the majors for five seasons, from 1964 to 1969, and played for four different teams. He made his debut with the Phillies, then got traded to the Mets, where he spent most of his big-league time.

Debut with the Philadelphia Phillies

Kroll made his MLB debut on July 26, 1964, at Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia. He came in as a reliever during the fourth inning of a doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals.

His first outing wasn’t easy. He pitched two innings, gave up three hits, one earned run, and two walks, and struck out one batter. The Phillies lost 6-1.

Even though his debut was rough, Kroll looked back on it with a positive attitude. “I wasn’t nervous in my debut because I faced most of the Cardinals in the minors, such as Flood, Brock, and McCarver,” he said years later.

He didn’t stay with Philadelphia long. After only two games, the Phillies traded him to the New York Mets on August 7, 1964. He and minor leaguer Wayne Graham went to New York in exchange for veteran slugger Frank Thomas.

Role as a Rookie Pitcher

Kroll’s rookie season in 1964 brought both chances and headaches. He appeared in 24 games split between the Phillies and Mets, pitching 24 innings and posting a 4.50 ERA.

He struggled with control. Kroll led the league with four balks in just 24 innings, showing his mechanical issues on the mound.

The Mets gave him more regular work. He made his first MLB start on August 22, 1964, against the Cubs. He struck out eight in a strong showing but lost 3-2 to Larry Jackson.

In 1965, Kroll took on a bigger role. He pitched in 40 games for the Mets, starting 13, and finished with a 6-6 record. His best game came on April 18, 1965, when he threw a complete-game win against San Francisco in a rain-shortened seven-inning contest.

Playing Style and Physical Attributes

Kroll’s size shaped his pitching. At 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, he was a “hard-throwing right-hander” who leaned on his fastball.

His big frame and velocity made him pretty intimidating. Ryne Duren, a former teammate, once told him to throw a pitch over the catcher’s head in warm-ups just to shake up hitters.

Career Statistics:

• Games Played: 71
• Wins-Losses: 6-7
• ERA: 4.24
• Strikeouts: 138
• Innings Pitched: 125.1

Kroll always had control problems. He could rack up strikeouts—over nine per nine innings—but he walked too many hitters. That inconsistency kept him from being a more effective big-league pitcher.

He did have some good moments against stars like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Ernie Banks. Kroll struck out Banks five times and held Mays to a .300 average.

Key Seasons and Team Transitions

Gary Kroll played for four teams over six major league seasons. His best years came with the New York Mets from 1964 to 1965. He also had short stints with the Phillies, Houston Astros, and Cleveland Indians, each phase bringing new challenges.

Tenure with the New York Mets

The Mets picked up Kroll from the Phillies in August 1964 as part of the Frank Thomas trade. That move gave him the best run of his career.

Kroll pitched in 40 games with the Mets during 1964 and 1965. He started 13 times and finished with a 6-7 record for New York.

His top performance came on April 18, 1965, against San Francisco. He threw a complete-game win in seven innings, giving up just four hits and striking out eight in a 7-1 victory.

He also faced his old Phillies team on July 25, 1965, at Shea Stadium. Kroll earned his first big-league save by pitching three scoreless relief innings, giving up two hits and striking out five.

Despite some promise, the Mets sent him down to Buffalo in August 1965. Manager Casey Stengel saw his talent but pointed out the control issues. “Casey came out to get me and I said, ‘Casey, I’m not tired!’ His reply was ‘You’re not. But your outfielders are,’” Kroll remembered.

Time with the Houston Astros

The Mets traded Kroll to the Astros on January 6, 1966, for outfielder Johnny Weekly and cash. That marked a big change for him.

Houston mostly used Kroll out of the bullpen, but he struggled and got sent to the minors in June 1966.

His stint with the Oklahoma City affiliate didn’t go well. He went 0-5 in nine starts and gave up 55 hits in just 37 innings.

The Astros sent him down again, this time to Double-A Amarillo. Manager Buddy Hancken wasn’t impressed and said Kroll wouldn’t make it in the majors.

Kroll pitched through pain that year—bone chips and spurs nagged him all season. He eventually needed surgery to remove those bone fragments.

On July 20, 1966, Cleveland bought his contract from Houston, ending his tough time with the Astros.

Final Season and Retirement with the Cleveland Indians

Kroll got one last shot in the majors with the Cleveland Indians in 1969. He pitched in 19 games as a long reliever and posted a 4.13 ERA.

His last big-league appearance came on July 12, 1969, against the Tigers. He relieved Luis Tiant, allowed five runs in the second inning, but managed to strike out pitcher Mickey Lolich as his final batter.

Cleveland sent him back to their Portland affiliate after that game. Even though winter league manager Lou Klimchock gave him a good report, the Indians transferred him to Hawaii, a California Angels affiliate, in 1970.

He couldn’t get regular playing time under manager Chuck Tanner, who preferred Angels prospects. Kroll tried one more comeback in 1971 with the Tulsa Oilers, pitching in seven games and going 1-1 with a save.

After 1971, Kroll’s pro baseball career was done. He finished with a 6-7 MLB record, 138 strikeouts, and a 4.24 ERA in 71 games and 158 innings.

Career Performance and Achievements

Gary Kroll’s five-year Major League Baseball career from 1964 to 1969 was a mix of promise and hard lessons. His 6-7 record and 4.24 ERA show the struggles of a hard-throwing pitcher who never quite got his control sorted out. He led the league with four balks as a rookie, but his minor league numbers kept teams interested.

Notable Stats and Pitching Records

Kroll put up a 6-7 record with a 4.24 ERA in 71 major league games. He struck out 138 batters but walked plenty, thanks to those control troubles.

His best minor league feat came with Bakersfield in 1960. He fanned 309 batters in one season—second-most ever in the California League. He also threw 20 straight hitless innings during that wild year.

Kroll tossed two no-hitters in the minors. The first came with Johnson City in 1959, a 9-0 win over Lynchburg. The second was a 1-0 shutout of Visalia in 1960, where he struck out 11.

He played for four MLB teams: the Phillies, Mets, Astros, and Indians. His top season was 1965 with the Mets, when he went 6-6 in 13 starts and 27 relief appearances.

League-Leading Balks as Rookie

Back in 1964, rookie pitcher Gary Kroll racked up four balks in just 24 innings. That led the league, and honestly, it showed how much he struggled with his mechanics and control.

When runners got on base, things only got trickier for him. Opponents stole bases left and right because he just couldn’t keep them in check.

The Mets decided to send him to Buffalo in 1965, hoping he’d fix his mechanics and figure out how to hold runners better. They really wanted him to develop some new techniques.

“Dick Schaap wrote a funny article about it,” Kroll remembered about being sent down, even with his 6-6 record. “He said that Gary Kroll got sent to Buffalo because he was too good.”

But those mechanical issues never really left him. Kroll’s trouble stopping base runners kind of became his calling card in the majors, and it definitely limited what he could do.

Role Within Pitching Staffs

Kroll mostly worked out of the bullpen during his big league years. He made just 13 starts out of 71 appearances, bouncing between roles depending on the team and season.

The Phillies barely used him in 1964—just two games—before they traded him. The Mets gave him more chances, letting him start and relieve during 1964 and 1965.

His best shot as a starter came in 1965 with the Mets. On April 18, he tossed a complete-game win against San Francisco, giving up four hits and striking out eight over seven innings.

Later, the Houston Astros and Cleveland Indians used him strictly as a reliever. He made his last major league appearance on July 12, 1969, coming in for Luis Tiant with Cleveland against Detroit.

Career Highlights

Kroll debuted on July 26, 1964, at Connie Mack Stadium against St. Louis. He pitched two innings and gave up one earned run in his first taste of the majors.

That complete-game win over San Francisco on April 18, 1965, really stands out. The 7-1 victory in seven innings showed what he could do when everything clicked.

He actually did pretty well against some of the game’s biggest stars. Kroll struck out Ernie Banks five times, which is no small feat. Willie Mays went 3-for-10 off him, which is respectable.

“Just to pitch to those guys was a thrill,” Kroll said, thinking back on facing legends like Mays, Hank Aaron, and Frank Robinson. “I was like a fan that they let play.”

His last major league strikeout came against pitcher Mickey Lolich on July 12, 1969. That was the final batter he faced in pro ball.

Personal Life and Legacy

After baseball, Gary Kroll found success in the insurance business and raised five impressively tall kids in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Now 83, he stands as one of the oldest living players from the 1960s, bridging baseball’s old-school days with its modern era.

Life After Baseball

Kroll made Tulsa home after wrapping up his playing days with the Tulsa Oilers in 1971. He jumped into the insurance world and built a career that lasted way longer than his time on the mound.

He married Barbara after the 1966 season, and together they raised five kids, all of them inheriting his height.

Their three sons took different paths: Eric works with Gary at their insurance agency, Lance played basketball professionally in Europe, and Brett matches his dad’s 6-foot-6 frame.

The daughters? Also tall. Summer stands 6-foot-6 and has a fierce competitive streak, while Pepper, at 6-foot-2, earned all-state basketball honors at Oral Roberts University.

“All of them are like ‘Pops,’ as tall as a doorway,” Kroll joked about his family. That height definitely got passed down, even if it showed up in different sports.

Recognition Among Oldest Living Players

Born July 8, 1941, in Culver City, California, Kroll is now 83. He belongs to a shrinking group of guys who played in the majors during the 1960s.

His career was short but memorable, spanning four teams from 1964 to 1969. He faced legends like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Ernie Banks during what many consider baseball’s golden era.

Kroll struck out Ernie Banks five times. Against Willie Mays, he kept the Hall of Famer to a .300 average (3-for-10 lifetime).

“Just to pitch to those guys was a thrill,” Kroll said in a 2011 interview. “I was like a fan that they let play.”

His take gives us a glimpse into a time when baseball was shifting from its roots into something more modern.

Contributions to Baseball Community

Kroll keeps in touch with baseball through interviews and chatting with fans and researchers. He shares stories and photos from his playing days with collectors and historians.

His memories bring the 1960s game to life. He talks about legendary managers like Casey Stengel and Warren Spahn, offering details you won’t find in the box scores.

He doesn’t mind answering questions about his experiences with different teams. Those stories help keep baseball history alive.

Kroll’s willingness to share keeps the human side of the game front and center. His perspective, as someone who played during a pivotal time, still matters to fans and historians.

Impact and Significance in Baseball

Gary Kroll’s short but interesting career made a mark on Major League Baseball thanks to his size and minor league feats. At 6-foot-6, he was hard to miss, and his powerful arm left an impression on teammates and fans across four organizations.

Influence on Major League Baseball

Kroll really fit the mold of a modern power pitcher. At 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, he was one of the tallest pitchers around, and teams started to see how valuable that could be.

He showed off his raw talent in the minors, striking out 309 batters in a season with the Bakersfield Bears—the second most in California League history. He also pitched 20 straight hitless innings and threw two no-hitters in the minors.

Four teams gave him a shot in the majors between 1964 and 1969: the Phillies, Mets, Astros, and Indians. He finished with a 6-7 record in 71 games, and while that might not jump off the page, striking out Ernie Banks five times says plenty.

Kroll held his own against greats like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Frank Robinson. His intimidating presence on the mound, plus his knack for occasionally throwing over the catcher’s head to mess with hitters, showed off a bit of psychological warfare that you see more often in later decades.

Legacy Among Teammates and Fans

Kroll earned real respect from both teammates and opponents for the way he faced baseball’s biggest stars. He once said, “Just to pitch to those guys was a thrill. I was like a fan that they let play,” when talking about going up against legendary hitters.

His teammates noticed his dedication even when injuries slowed him down. Kroll pitched through bone chips, spurs, and even a cracked rib, which is honestly kind of wild.

He built credibility in clubhouses across four different organizations thanks to that toughness. Casey Stengel, his manager with the New York Mets, believed in Kroll’s abilities.

During spring training, Stengel told him, “You’ve got good stuff, just throw strikes.” Kroll and Gordon Richardson actually teamed up for a nine-inning no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates that spring.

Fans still remember Kroll for his intimidating presence and those unforgettable moments on the mound. He used psychological tricks, like firing a pitch over the catcher’s head to make noise that echoed around the park, and that became part of his legend.

Even Hall of Fame hitters respected his talent. Willie Mays went 3-for-10 against Kroll in his career, which says a lot, doesn’t it?