Gary Pettis

From BR Bullpen

Gary George Pettis

Bats Both, Throws Right
Height 6' 1", Weight 165 lb.
School Laney College
Debut September 13, 1982
Final Game September 10, 1992
Born April 3, 1958 in Oakland, CA USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Gary Pettis had been a right-handed hitter throughout his amateur career. When he signed with the California Angels, scout Loyd Christopher noted that Pettis signed with his left hand. This led to the team's conversion of Pettis into a switch-hitter (Source: 1979 Baseball Guide).

Pettis' brother, Stacey Pettis, was a minor league outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates and California Angels from 1981 to 1987.

After his playing career ended, Pettis spent two years as a Chicago White Sox coach (2001-2002) and two more as a New York Mets coach (2003-2004).

After the 2006 season was over, the Texas Rangers, who finished 80-82 for the year, hired Ron Washington as their new manager to replace Buck Showalter who had been fired at the end of the season. The very first week at the helm, Washington mentioned he would probably hire Gary Pettis as his new first-base coach, which he eventually did. Pettis is a former Texas outfielder, playing there during some of the time close to the end of his career. In fact he won a Gold Glove while playing center-field for Texas in 1990.