Tom Gorman – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Thomas Patrick Gorman made his mark on Major League Baseball in the 1980s as a left-handed pitcher. He played for four different teams across seven seasons.

Born in Portland, Oregon, on December 16, 1957, Gorman worked his way up from a walk-on at Gonzaga University to the big leagues. He faced some of baseball’s best hitters from 1981 through 1987.

Gorman’s MLB career spanned seven seasons. He compiled a 12-10 record with a 4.34 ERA and 144 strikeouts while playing for the Montreal Expos, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, and San Diego Padres.

He showed the determination of a player who squeezed every bit out of his abilities, even though he wasn’t a highly touted prospect. Mets teammate Keith Hernandez called him “Gorfax,” a nod to legendary pitcher Sandy Koufax.

From his early days at Woodburn High School in Oregon to his last game on April 24, 1987, Gorman’s story reflects the path of many journeyman pitchers who filled out MLB rosters in the 1980s. After retiring, he moved into coaching, sticking with the game that shaped his life.

Early Life and Education

Tom Gorman’s path to professional baseball started in Portland, Oregon, where he was born on December 16, 1957. He went from high school success in Woodburn to taking a shot as a walk-on at Gonzaga University.

Childhood in Portland, Oregon

Thomas Patrick Gorman grew up in Portland during the 1960s and 1970s. With a supportive family behind him, he found his love for baseball in the Pacific Northwest.

Not much is public about his early childhood. At some point, his family moved to Woodburn, which turned out to be pretty important for his baseball development.

Portland had a strong amateur baseball scene back then. That environment gave Gorman a chance to play competitive baseball early on.

Woodburn High School Achievements

Gorman went to Woodburn High School in Woodburn, Oregon. There, he stood out as a baseball player.

He helped lead his team to a state championship, which was the highlight of his high school career. That moment really showed his talent and ability to handle pressure.

His success at Woodburn caught the attention of college scouts, but he still had to work hard to keep his baseball dream alive.

Gonzaga University Baseball Career

Gorman walked on to the team at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. He played for the Bulldogs from 1977 to 1980, slowly developing into a skilled left-handed pitcher.

As a walk-on, he had to prove himself without a scholarship. He earned his spot in the rotation through hard work and steady improvement.

The Montreal Expos drafted Gorman in the 4th round (98th overall) of the 1980 Major League Baseball draft. That moment validated his college career and opened the door to pro ball.

Gonzaga recognized his achievements by inducting him into the Gonzaga Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995. That honor reflected his impact on the program and his later pro success.

Draft and Professional Entry

Tom Gorman started his professional journey with the Montreal Expos after a solid college career at Gonzaga University. His transition from amateur to pro baseball kicked off in 1980 and led to his major league debut just over a year later.

1980 MLB Draft Selection

The Montreal Expos picked Tom Gorman in the 4th round of the 1980 MLB June Amateur Draft. He was the 98th overall pick.

Gorman came to the Expos from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. At the time, the lefty pitcher stood 6’4″ and weighed 200 pounds.

The draft happened on June 3, 1980. Gorman became one of just 13 major leaguers to come out of Gonzaga University by 2006.

His college teammate T.R. Bryden was also drafted and later reached the majors. Both guys played at Gonzaga together and would face each other in the big leagues in 1986.

The Expos liked Gorman’s left-handed pitching and his size. His height and arm strength made him an interesting prospect for their system.

Transition from College to MLB

Gorman jumped straight to Double-A after being drafted, which is pretty rare. He started his pro career with the Memphis Chicks of the Southern League in 1980.

Most draftees start in rookie ball or Single-A, but the Expos clearly had confidence in him. He pitched for Memphis for the rest of 1980 and all of 1981.

The Southern League gave him solid competition to develop his game. Just over a year after being drafted, Gorman debuted in the majors on September 2, 1981.

He pitched against the Cincinnati Reds at Riverfront Stadium. The game was on a cold, rainy night, and the Expos were already down 7-0 when Gorman came in.

He showed decent stuff in his debut. Gorman made eight more appearances for the Expos that season.

Major League Career Overview

Tom Gorman pitched in the majors for seven seasons from 1981 to 1987. He compiled a 12-10 record with a 4.34 ERA in 126 games.

The lefty played for four different National League teams, spending most of his time with the New York Mets.

Montreal Expos Years

Gorman made his MLB debut with the Montreal Expos on September 2, 1981, at 23 years old. He appeared in nine games that rookie season, posting a 4.20 ERA over 15 innings.

He struck out 13 batters and walked only six, showing good command for a newcomer. Gorman returned to Montreal for part of the 1982 season, making five appearances with a 5.14 ERA in seven innings.

His time with Montreal was short but important for his growth. The Expos had drafted him in the fourth round out of Gonzaga University.

New York Mets Tenure

The New York Mets brought Gorman over during the 1982 season, and he showed improvement right away. In three games with the Mets that year, he posted a 0.96 ERA.

Gorman spent four seasons with the Mets from 1982 to 1985. He went 11-9 with a 4.10 ERA in 98 games for New York.

His best year was 1984, when he went 6-0 with a 2.97 ERA in 36 appearances. That season, he became a reliable arm in the Mets’ bullpen.

The 1985 season didn’t go as well. Gorman posted a 5.13 ERA in 34 games and struggled with control, walking 18 batters in 52.2 innings.

Philadelphia Phillies Stint

Gorman signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for the 1986 season but ran into big problems. He appeared in only eight games, posting a career-worst 7.71 ERA.

Opposing batters hit .404 against him, and he allowed 21 hits in just 11.2 innings. He walked five and struck out eight, but nothing seemed to click.

Philadelphia just didn’t work out for him. The Phillies released him after that rough season.

San Diego Padres and Final Season

The San Diego Padres picked up Gorman for his final MLB season in 1987. He made six appearances, pitching 11 innings with a 4.09 ERA.

His last major league game was on April 24, 1987, against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Gorman pitched 1.2 innings, giving up two hits and one earned run.

At 29, his career ended quietly after 1987. He pitched 213.2 total innings in seven years, striking out 144 batters.

Gorman finished with 12 wins, 10 losses, and a 4.34 ERA in 126 games. He made seven starts during his MLB career.

Career Highlights and Notable Moments

Tom Gorman’s seven years in MLB brought some memorable moments and a unique place in baseball history. His best days came with the New York Mets, where he earned a nickname that stuck.

Key Performances and Memorable Games

Gorman’s peak came in 1984 with the Mets. He posted a 6-0 record with a 2.97 ERA, striking out 40 batters in 52 innings over 36 games.

That year, he helped the Mets reach their first winning season in seven years. The lefty’s most famous game happened on July 4, 1985, in Atlanta against the Braves.

That wild, 19-inning game lasted over six hours. Gorman came in during the 14th inning with the Mets leading 10-8.

He gave up a game-tying home run to Terry Harper, then another to pitcher Rick Camp in the 18th. Even with those hiccups, Gorman got the win when the Mets finally won 16-13 in the 19th.

Opening Day 1985 was another highlight. Gorman picked up the win in relief of Doc Gooden when Gary Carter hit a walk-off homer against the St. Louis Cardinals in Carter’s Mets debut.

“Gorfax” Nickname and Legacy

Teammates called Gorman “Goose Koufax” with the Mets, a playful mix of Sandy Koufax and Goose Gossage. That nickname fit his lefty style and his steady presence in the bullpen.

After retiring in 1987, Gorman moved into coaching. He became the pitching coach at Oregon City High School back in Oregon.

He led the team to a state championship in 2012, which is a pretty cool way to give back. Gorman wrapped up his MLB career with a 12-10 record and 144 strikeouts in 213 innings.

His 4.34 ERA in 126 games was solid for an era when relief pitching was starting to change.

Statistical Performance and Records

Tom Gorman’s seven years in the majors produced modest but respectable numbers. His 12-10 win-loss record and 4.34 ERA showed he was a reliable middle reliever and occasional starter in the 1980s.

Pitching Statistics: ERA, Strikeouts, Win–Loss Record

Gorman finished with a 12-10 win-loss record over 126 games from 1981 to 1987. His 4.34 ERA put him right in the middle of the pack for pitchers of his time.

He picked up 144 strikeouts during his MLB career, showing he could get hitters out when he needed to.

Gorman played for the Montreal Expos, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, and San Diego Padres. He debuted on September 2, 1981, with Montreal at 23 and made his final appearance on April 24, 1987.

Fielding Achievements

Traditional sources don’t offer much in the way of detailed fielding stats for Gorman’s career. As a pitcher, he mostly focused on fielding bunts and hustling over to cover first base.

Left-handed pitchers like Gorman usually have a tougher time fielding grounders hit right back through the middle. Still, his 6’4″ frame gave him some extra reach on defense.

Gorman’s fielding matched what you’d expect from pitchers of his time. Most of his real value came from his pitching performance, not his glove.

Comparisons and Advanced Metrics

We don’t have a ton of advanced stats for players from the 1980s, at least not like we do now. Baseball Reference and Sports Reference LLC still offer the best records from Gorman’s era.

Retrosheet steps in to fill some of the gaps, adding play-by-play info from his time on the mound. Using these sources, you’ll see Gorman’s numbers line up with plenty of other middle-tier relievers from the 1980s.

He played parts of seven seasons, which says something about his durability. Playing in 126 games shows that his managers trusted him to take the ball pretty regularly.

Gorman’s stats put him in that big group of journeyman pitchers who bounced around and helped out a few different teams during the decade.

Life After MLB and Coaching Career

After he stepped away from the majors in 1987, Tom Gorman moved into coaching high school baseball in Oregon. He found a home at Oregon City High School, where he helped guide young players to a state championship and picked up some well-earned recognition for his impact on the game.

Coaching at Oregon City High School

Gorman took on the role of pitching coach at Oregon City High School, bringing all that big league experience with him. He used his knowledge to shape the school’s pitching program.

With Gorman’s help, the Oregon City team pulled off something special. They won the 2012 6A State Championship, which was a huge deal for the school’s baseball history.

He really focused on the basics of pitching mechanics. Gorman taught these young athletes the same lessons he picked up over his seven years in the majors. His time with teams like the New York Mets and Montreal Expos gave him plenty of stories and advice for the next generation.

The lefty got hands-on with the student-athletes, working with them on the mental aspects of pitching he’d learned as a pro.

Influence on Youth Baseball

Gorman didn’t stop with just high school coaching. He also joined the Metro Baseball Academy, helping younger players outside the school system.

Working with the Metro Baseball Academy, he reached even more kids who wanted to get better at baseball. The academy focused on teaching basic skills and proper techniques for youth athletes.

His professional background gave him instant credibility with parents and players alike. A 12-10 career record and a 4.34 ERA in the majors show he knew what it took to compete at the top level.

Gorman always stressed the importance of good mechanics and being mentally prepared. Those lessons came straight from his own days facing major league hitters in the 1980s.

Honors and Hall of Fame Induction

People at Gonzaga University recognized Gorman for his baseball career there. In 1995, he joined the Gonzaga Athletic Hall of Fame, which celebrated his time with the Bulldogs from 1977 to 1980.

They honored him for what he did as a college player and, honestly, for what he managed to do afterward as a pro. By 2006, Gorman stood among just 13 major league players who came out of Gonzaga University.

He started as a walk-on and worked his way up to become a major league pitcher. At Gonzaga, he picked up the skills that took him through seven seasons in pro baseball.

People also noticed how he stayed involved in baseball, especially through coaching. His time coaching at Oregon City High School only added to what he left behind in the sport.