| Gary Gentry | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1946-10-06)October 6, 1946 (age 78) Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 10, 1969, for the New York Mets | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| May 6, 1975, for the Atlanta Braves | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 46–49 |
| Earned run average | 3.56 |
| Strikeouts | 615 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Gary Edward Gentry (born October 6, 1946) is an American former right-handedMajor League Baseballpitcher.
Gentry was asecond baseman atCamelback High School inPhoenix, Arizona, and only began pitching while atPhoenix Junior College. He was drafted by theHouston Astros in the eleventh round of theinaugural major league draft in1965, and was a first-round pick of theBaltimore Orioles in the January Secondary Draft in1966, but signed with neither team, choosing instead to remain in college. In 1966, he led the Bears to a national junior college championship. Shortly afterwards, he was drafted by theSan Francisco Giants, but again chose not to sign.
After two years at Phoenix College, Gentry transferred toArizona State University. He went 17–1 with a college-record 229strikeouts. In the1967 NCAA University Division baseball tournament, Gentry tossed a fourteen-inning gem againstStanford University to help his team catch the College World Series title. He was named the pitcher of the All-Tournament Team.[1] Shortly afterwards, he was drafted by theNew York Mets in the "Secondary Phase" of the 1967 MLB June Draft. This time, he was ready to sign.
Gentry spent just two seasons in the Mets'farm system when he caught the eye of MetsmanagerGil Hodges inSpring training1969,[2] and earned a spot on the opening day roster behindTom Seaver &Jerry Koosman in thestarting rotation. He came within anout of acomplete game in his major league debut, defeating theMontreal Expos in front of 8,608 atShea Stadium.[3]
Overall, Gentry made 35 starts, and went 13–12 with a 3.43earned run average and 154strikeouts his rookie season. Unquestionably, his biggest game came on September 24. The Mets, who once trailed theChicago Cubs by 91⁄2 games on August 13, were now in first place by six games, and now regularly drew crowds over 50,000 to Shea. Gentry pitched a four-hit, 6–0shutout against theSt. Louis Cardinals[4] to clinch theNational League East title for the Mets.[5]
On his 23rd birthday, Gentry was sent to the mound for game three of the1969 National League Championship Series against theAtlanta Braves. Gentry lasted only into the third inning, however, the Mets were able to mount a comeback that would allow them to sweep the NLCS,[6] and head into theWorld Series against the Baltimore Orioles.
With the1969 World Series tied at one game apiece, Gentry facedJim Palmer in game three.Tommie Agee led off the bottom of the first inning with ahome run to give the Mets the early 1–0 lead (Agee also made two spectacular catches incenter field to prevent the Orioles from scoring up to fiveruns in this game). Gentry, meanwhile, held the mighty Orioles scoreless, pitching into the seventh inning before handing the ball toNolan Ryan for thesave. He also helped his own cause in the second inning with adouble that plated two runs.[7]
Gentry got off to a hot start in1970.[8] Following a one-hit shutout of the Chicago Cubs on May 13,[9] his record stood at 4–1 with a 1.71 ERA. He would cool off from there, and ended the season at 9–9 with a 3.68 ERA.
Following a1971 season in which Gentry went 12–11 with a 3.23 ERA, theCalifornia Angels inquired about Gentry, danglingthird basemanJim Fregosi as bait. Unwilling to part with Gentry, the Mets sent Nolan Ryan to the Angels in one of the most infamous trades in franchise history.[10]
He would remain with the Mets for one more season, going 7–10 with a 4.01 ERA. Gentry was traded along withDanny Frisella from the Mets to theAtlanta Braves forFélix Millán andGeorge Stone on November 1,1972.[11]
Gentry exited his June 5 start in the first inning due to right elbow soreness.[12] He made his next start, but was pulled after the second inning,[13] and placed on thedisabled list.[14] He returned a month later, but after just two more appearances, his season was ended for good.
After surgery to have bone chips removed from his elbow, Gentry returned to the mound on April 30,1974, pitching an inning of relief.[15] He made two more appearances before his season was once again cut short, this time for tendon surgery. He made seven appearances with the Braves in1975, playing his last game on May 6. The Braves placed him on waivers two days later.[16] Gentry was then re-signed by the Mets, but after just one appearance atDouble-A Jackson was he was released on June 19.[17]
| W | L | PCT | ERA | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | BF | H | ER | R | HR | BAA | K | BB | BB/9 | WP | HBP | Fld% | Avg. | SH |
| 46 | 49 | .484 | 3.56 | 157 | 138 | 25 | 8 | 2 | 902.2 | 3800 | 770 | 357 | 400 | 90 | .231 | 615 | 369 | 3.7 | 29 | 28 | .995 | .095 | 25 |
Gentry was an exceptional fielding pitcher. The onlyerror he committed in his career (in 182total chances) came on August 23, 1970, covering first on a ground ball byPete Rose.[18]