| Jesse Gonder | |
|---|---|
 Gonder with theCincinnati Reds | |
| Catcher | |
| Born:(1936-01-20)January 20, 1936 Monticello, Arkansas, U.S. | |
| Died: November 14, 2004(2004-11-14) (aged 68) Oakland, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 23, 1960, for the New York Yankees | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 17, 1967, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .251 |
| Home runs | 26 |
| Runs batted in | 94 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Jesse Lemar Gonder (January 20, 1936 – November 14, 2004) was an American professionalbaseball player. Acatcher andpinch hitter, he played inMajor League Baseball from 1960 to 1967 for theNew York Yankees,Cincinnati Reds,New York Mets,Milwaukee Braves andPittsburgh Pirates. Gonder batted left-handed, threw right-handed, and was listed as 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) tall and 180 pounds (82 kg). He played forBaseball Hall of FamemanagerCasey Stengel with both the Yankees (1960) and Mets (1963–65).[1][2]
He was born inMonticello, Arkansas, but attendedMcClymonds High School inOakland, California, alma mater ofBasketball Hall of FamecenterBill Russell, as well as two of Gonder's future MLB teammates,Frank Robinson andVada Pinson. Gonder signed with Cincinnati in 1955 and began his 15-year professional career. Acquired by the Yankees'Triple-ARichmond Virginians affiliate in1960, he made his MLB debut that September and hit apinchhome run atYankee Stadium offBill Monbouquette for his first big-leaguehit on September 30.[3] He was a member of the Yankees for the first weeks of the1961 season as a pinch hitter before being sent back to Richmond for the rest of the year. The Reds then reacquired Gonder in an off-season trade forpitcherMarshall Bridges.
Assigned to the Triple-ASan Diego Padres, Gonder led the1962Pacific Coast League inbatting (.342) andruns batted in (116) and was named the PCL's most valuable player. He was recalled by Cincinnati that September, then spent the following four full seasons in theNational League. Gonder batted over .300 in1963 (.304) in part-time duty for the Reds and Mets, and was the Mets' regular catcher in1964, starting behind the plate for 82 games and setting personal bests in home runs (seven) and runs batted in (35).
Gonder reverted to part-time status in 1965, and for the remainder of his big-league career played behind regular catchersChris Cannizzaro,Joe Torre andJim Pagliaroni. He was sent to Triple-A in June 1967 and wrapped up his pro career in 1969.
In the Majors, Gonder collected 220 hits, including 28doubles, twotriples and 26 home runs. Five of those home runs came as a pinch hitter.
Gonder died in Oakland after a brief illness on November 14, 2004 at the age of 68.
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