Joe Gates

From BR Bullpen

Joseph Daniel Gates

Bats Left, Throws Right
Height 5' 7", Weight 175 lb.
Debut September 12, 1978
Final Game June 24, 1979
Born October 3, 1954 in Gary, IN USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Infielder Joe Gates played briefly with the Chicago White Sox in 1978 and 1979. He is currently a coach with the Gary SouthShore RailCats of the Northern League.

From 1974 to 1977, Gates played in the Kansas City Royals minor league system. He was traded to the Sox for Mike Ondina prior to the 1978 season. That year, he hit .332 for the Knoxville Sox to win the Southern League batting title and earned a September call-up. He had another cup of coffee in the bigs the following year and got his only extra base hit in the majors on May 13th against the Royals. He had come on as a pinch hitter for Don Kessinger in the seventh inning and stayed in the game playing second base. In the bottom of the ninth, he hit a triple off Eduardo Rodriguez, driving in Greg Pryor, but the Sox lost to the Royals 14 to 5.