Rob Gardner – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Rob Gardner wrapped up his baseball career in 1973 after eight seasons in Major League Baseball. Even though he’s no longer on the mound, his story still stands out as one of grit and real achievement.

Born Richard Frank Gardner in Binghamton, New York, he carved out a solid career as a left-handed pitcher. He had to push through plenty of challenges to stay in the majors as long as he did.

Gardner suited up for six different teams from 1965 to 1973: the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, and Milwaukee Brewers. He retired because of an elbow injury. His most unforgettable game came early with the Mets, when he tossed 15 shutout innings in the Mets’ last game of 1965 against the Phillies. That franchise record still stands.

Let’s dig into Gardner’s path from a kid in Binghamton to his final season in 1973. We’ll look at his stats, career highlights, and the impact he left on the game. After baseball, he became one of Binghamton’s first paramedic firefighters, showing the same dedication off the field that he brought to the mound.

Rob Gardner’s Early Life and Background

Richard Frank Gardner was born in Binghamton, New York, on December 19, 1944. World War II was still raging at the time.

He grew up in a middle-class neighborhood, and baseball grabbed his attention from the start.

Birthplace and Family

Richard Frank Gardner came into the world in Binghamton, New York, where the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers meet in the state’s Southern Tier. Born on December 19, 1944, he was part of the early Baby Boomer generation.

Binghamton was a great place for a young baseball fan. The city had a strong baseball culture, with minor league teams, industrial leagues, and solid youth programs.

Gardner grew up in a typical middle-class family. His mom played a big part in his early years, especially when it came to the nickname that stuck with him.

The neighborhood and local programs gave Gardner constant chances to play and improve. Baseball was everywhere.

High School Years in Binghamton

Gardner went to Binghamton Central High School, which also produced Rod Serling of “Twilight Zone” fame. By his sophomore year, he was already turning the heads of pro scouts.

He stood out on the field. Gardner was taller than most of the other kids and had a strong arm, something people noticed even back in his Little League days at Recreation Park.

Key high school achievements:

• Became a standout pitcher by sophomore year
• Drew the attention of several MLB scouts
• Graduated mid-term of his senior year
• Signed a pro contract right after graduation

Gardner taught himself how to pitch. At age 10, he learned to throw a curveball just by watching another kid in the neighborhood.

A couple of rough outings late in high school hurt his chances with some MLB teams. Those games ended up lowering his signing bonus.

Origins of the Name Rob

Richard Frank Gardner picked up the name Rob Gardner as a kid. His mom called him Robin, which was a common nickname for Richard back then.

Gardner really didn’t like being called Robin. In his own words: “My mother used to call me Robin and I couldn’t stand that. So it got shortened to Rob.”

The name Rob stuck. Friends and teammates called him Rob, never Richard or anything else.

This little change said a lot about him. Even as a kid, Gardner knew what he wanted and didn’t mind making a change to get it.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Rob Gardner played eight MLB seasons from 1965 to 1973, wearing the uniforms of six different teams. His career had some memorable moments, like that 15-inning shutout and trades involving big-name players.

Debut and Early Years with the New York Mets

Gardner debuted in the majors on September 1, 1965, with the New York Mets at just 20 years old. His first start was rough—he lasted three innings, gave up seven runs, and the Mets lost 8-5 to the Astros.

But he bounced back in his last game of 1965. Gardner threw 15 shutout innings against the Phillies in a game that ended 0-0 after 18 innings.

In 1966, things were up and down. He started off 2-0, then dropped his next six decisions.

The Mets put him in the bullpen halfway through the season. On July 26, 1966, he picked up his first major league save against Houston.

He finished 1966 with a 4-8 record and a 5.12 ERA. In 1967, after starting in the minors, the Mets traded him to the Cubs for Bob Hendley.

Career Highlights and Team Contributions

Gardner moved around a lot, which was pretty common for the era. With the Cubs in 1967, he went 0-2 with a 3.98 ERA.

The Cleveland Indians got him before the 1968 season for Bobby Tiefenauer. Gardner made five appearances for Cleveland that September, spending most of that year in Triple-A.

Notable Career Statistics:

• Win-Loss Record: 14-18
• ERA: 4.35
• Strikeouts: 193
• Games Played: 111

His best season came in 1972 with the Yankees. Gardner pitched in 20 games and threw 97 innings, his heaviest workload since 1966.

He was part of two interesting trades involving the Alou brothers. The Yankees first sent him to Oakland for Felipe Alou in April 1971. Later, they got him back and traded him again to Oakland for Matty Alou.

Final MLB Season and 1973 Retirement

Gardner’s last MLB season in 1973 had him bouncing between teams. He started with the Oakland Athletics, pitching in just three games before the Brewers bought his contract.

With Milwaukee, he pitched in 10 more games. His last MLB appearance came on July 13, 1973, against the A’s.

That outing didn’t go well. Gardner lasted only a third of an inning and allowed four runs in a 13-4 Brewers loss.

After that, the Brewers sent him back to Oakland. That was it for his major league career.

Gardner played 1974 with the Tigers’ Triple-A team. In 1975, he returned to the Yankees’ system as pitching coach for the Syracuse Chiefs under Bobby Cox, even making 10 appearances as a player before calling it a career.

Notable Achievements and Awards

Rob Gardner’s career had a few standout moments, including a top minor league honor in 1970 and some unique trades. His best achievement came in the International League, and the multiple trades between the Yankees and A’s made his story a little unusual.

International League Pitcher of the Year

Gardner earned the 1970 Pitcher of the Year award while pitching for the Syracuse Chiefs in the International League. That’s Triple-A ball, just one step below the majors.

This award recognized Gardner’s skill as a lefty pitcher while he was with the Yankees’ organization. His performance in Syracuse showed he had what it took to get called back up to the big leagues.

That year marked the high point of his minor league recognition. The award proved he could compete with top-level talent and helped him get more chances in the majors.

Significant Trades and Team Changes

Gardner was traded twice by the Yankees to the Oakland Athletics—which is pretty rare. The first trade happened on April 9, 1971, when the Yankees sent him to Oakland for Felipe Alou.

The second time was November 24, 1972, when he went from New York to Oakland for Matty Alou. Not many players get traded between the same two teams more than once.

Throughout his career, Gardner wore six different MLB uniforms: the Mets, Cubs, Indians, Yankees, A’s, and Brewers. All that moving around from 1965 to 1973 showed how much teams valued his versatility as a pitcher.

1973 Season Analysis

Rob Gardner’s last season in the majors, with the Oakland Athletics, was a rough one. He made 13 relief appearances, and his struggles on the mound signaled that his career was winding down.

Performance and Key Statistics

Gardner finished 1973 with an 8.10 ERA over 20 innings. He picked up one win, one loss, and one save. He struck out just seven batters—a surprisingly low number for a veteran pitcher.

Key 1973 Statistics:

• Games: 13 appearances
• Innings Pitched: 20.0
• ERA: 8.10
• Record: 1-1, 1 save
• Strikeouts: 7
• Walks: 17

Gardner really struggled with control. He walked 17 hitters in 20 innings, which meant he was always pitching under pressure. Opponents hit .338 off him, racking up 27 hits in limited work.

He pitched better at home than on the road, but not by much. At home, he had a 7.30 ERA over 12.1 innings in five games. On the road, things got worse, with a 10.00 ERA in 7.2 innings over eight games.

Memorable Games and Final Appearances

Gardner’s only win came on June 5 against the A’s, when he pitched 1.1 scoreless innings. That outing was a bright spot in a tough season.

His last few games in July were especially rough. On July 3 against Baltimore, he got just one out and gave up three earned runs. His final appearance, July 13 against the A’s, saw him surrender four runs in just a third of an inning, pushing his ERA over 100.

He earned his last save on June 17 against the White Sox, though he still allowed a run in his inning of work. That would be his final save in pro baseball.

Gardner’s worst day came June 28 against Detroit, where he allowed three runs in one inning for a 27.00 ERA. The struggles in his last month really showed the toll of a nine-year career.

Post-Baseball Life and Legacy

After he left professional baseball in 1973 due to an elbow injury, Richard Frank Gardner found a new path as a firefighter and paramedic in Binghamton, New York. He passed away in October 2023, closing the book on a life that went far beyond his years in the majors.

Life After Retirement

Gardner moved from the pitcher’s mound to public service after retiring in 1973. He joined the Binghamton Fire Department, becoming one of the first firefighters there to train as a paramedic.

This new career showed just how much Gardner cared about helping others. The same work ethic he brought to baseball carried over to his emergency response work.

He stayed close to his roots in Binghamton. Born there in 1944, Gardner chose to build his second career in the city where he first learned to throw a curveball as a kid.

His years as a firefighter and paramedic stretched well beyond his baseball days. In this role, he helped people in critical moments, much like he’d done for his teams when the game was on the line.

Influence on Baseball History

Gardner had his most unforgettable game during his rookie year with the New York Mets in 1965. He threw 15 scoreless innings against Chris Short and the Philadelphia Phillies, but the game ended in a tie after 18 innings because of curfew.

Only four other times since 1920 did two pitchers each go at least 15 innings and allow one run or less. Gardner’s gutsy performance that night really showed what he could do, and honestly, it’s still a pretty big deal in Mets history.

He finished his career with a 14-18 record over eight major league seasons, which kind of says a lot about how tough it was for journeyman pitchers back then. Gardner bounced around, pitching for the Mets, Cubs, Indians, Yankees, Athletics, and Brewers.

He dealt with elbow and shoulder injuries the whole way, but Gardner just kept pushing. That determination was typical of players fighting to stay in the majors during the 1960s and early ’70s.

Passing and Tributes

Rob Gardner died on October 21, 2023, at 78. The Press & Sun-Bulletin shared the news in an obituary, closing the chapter on a life that mixed pro sports and public service.

People in baseball remembered Gardner as a dedicated player who pushed through a lot of tough breaks. After baseball, he became a firefighter and paramedic, which says a lot about his character, right?

Gardner’s obituary pointed out he was one of Binghamton’s first firefighters to qualify as a paramedic. That move just shows he kept learning and wanted to help people even after his time on the mound.

His passing meant another player from the ’60s and ’70s era was gone. Gardner’s journey kind of echoes what a lot of guys went through—career-ending injuries, but then finding a new way to make a difference.

Statistical Data and Research Sources

You can find Rob Gardner’s career stats in several baseball databases and research groups. Retrosheet keeps the most detailed game-by-game records, and the Society for American Baseball Research works hard to keep the data straight.

Accessing Detailed Stats with Retrosheet

Retrosheet has the full rundown of Gardner’s nine-year career from 1965 to 1973. The database includes detailed game logs for all 109 of his major league games.

Gardner’s career numbers add up to 14 wins and 18 losses with a 4.35 ERA over 331 innings. He had his best year in 1972 with the Yankees, going 8-5 with a 3.06 ERA.

Retrosheet’s play-by-play info shows how Gardner did in all kinds of situations. The site lists his 193 career strikeouts and the 345 hits he gave up along the way.

If you dig into Retrosheet, you’ll also see how often Gardner switched teams. He put on uniforms for the Mets, Cubs, Indians, Yankees, Athletics, and Brewers.

Reliability of Baseball Data Sources

Baseball stats from Gardner’s era actually benefit from a bunch of different verification sources. The Society for American Baseball Research checks and cross-references data to make sure everything lines up.

Researchers at the Baseball Hall of Fame, especially Dr. Michael Haupert, dig up contract info from their archives. Doug Pappas put together the main salary data, which gives us some solid financial details.

Baseball-Reference.com and The Baseball Cube both back up Gardner’s basic stats. If you look at these sites, the numbers for his career totals always match.

Multiple databases confirm Gardner’s biographical info. His birth date, December 19, 1944, and his passing on October 21, 2023, show up the same way in official records.