| Tom Gamboa | |
|---|---|
| Coach | |
| Born: (1948-02-28)February 28, 1948 (age 77) Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
| Teams | |
| As coach |
Thomas Harold Gamboa (born February 28, 1948) is an Americanprofessional baseballcoach andmanager.
Gamboa has managed in the minor leagues as high as AAA (theToledo Mud Hens in theInternational League and theAlbuquerque Dukes in thePacific Coast League), and coached first and third base as well as in the bullpen for major league teams (theChicago Cubs andKansas City Royals). In September 2016, Gamboa was the bench coach forIsrael at the 2017 World Baseball Classic qualifier, and he continued in the same role forTeam Israel at the 2017 World Baseball Classic main tournament in South Korea and Japan.
Gamboa was born in Los Angeles, California, and now lives inRancho Mirage, California.[1] He was raised by his mother, Polly, and his step-father (whose surname he took), Jack Donald Gamboa.[2][3] Gamboa is fluent in Spanish.[4] He has five children.[1] His son Brett is an assistant professor of English atDartmouth College.[5]
He was drafted out ofNotre Dame High School inSherman Oaks, California, where he was a first baseman, by the Baltimore Orioles, but chose to attend theUniversity of California, Santa Barbara (B.A., History, 1971) on a full scholarship.[2][6][7] There, he played primarily center field, along with a little first base, for theGauchos baseball team for three years and won All-Big West Conference honors in 1969 and 1970.[8][1][9]
During the 1971–1972 seasons Gamboa was an outfielder for and manager of Stratford (Ontario) in the Canadian Baseball League, where he was a two-time All-Star.[1]
Gamboa was a manager, minor league instructor, and scouting supervisor in theMilwaukee Brewers organization from 1978 to 1982.[1] In 1979, at the age of 31, he managed theButte Copper Kings in the RookiePioneer League.[8] In 1983 he managed the Paintsville Brewers in the RookieAppalachian League to a league-leading .653 won-loss percentage, and the league title.[8][1] In 1984 he managed theBeloit Brewers in the Class AMidwest League to a Central Division-leading .619 won–lost percentage, and was votedManager of the Year.[8][1] In 1985 he managed theStockton Ports in the Class ACalifornia League to a North Division-leading .566 won-loss percentage, and the Division championship.[8][10]
In 1986 he managed theBristol Tigers in the Appalachian League and served as theDetroit Tigers western states scouting director, and in 1987 he managed theGlens Falls Tigers in the AAEastern League; both, affiliates of theDetroit Tigers.[8] He was the minor league field coordinator for the Detroit Tigers from 1987 to 1990.[1] He managed theToledo Mud Hens in the AAAInternational League for the Detroit Tigers in 1990.[1][11] He was the Director of Minor League Instruction for theSan Diego Padres from 1991 to 1994.[11] He was theChicago Cubs' Minor League Field Coordinator from 1995 to 1998.[1][11]
In 2000, he managed the Dodgers'Albuquerque Dukes of the AAAPacific Coast League to a Central Division-leading .597 won-lost percentage and title.[8][1]
In 2005, he managed theArkansas Travelers of the AATexas League to the Texas League Eastern Division title for the Los Angeles Angels.[8][1] In 2006 and 2007, he was Minor League Outfield/Baserunning Coordinator for the San Diego Padres.[11] In 2009, he was the minor league field coordinator for the Padres.[1]
In 2011, he managed theInland Empire 66ers of the Class A+ California League (through June, when he resigned to spend time with his 85-year-old mother, who was terminally ill with advanced cancer), an affiliate of theLos Angeles Angels.[8][1][12][13] That year he also played "Scout Martinez" in the Oscar-nominated 2011 baseball movieMoneyball.[14]
During the 2012California Winter League (Palm Springs, California), Gamboa served as the Field Coordinator.[15]
From 2014 to 2016, he managed theBrooklyn Cyclones of the Short-Season ANew York-Pennsylvania League, an affiliate of theNew York Mets.[8]
From 1973 to 1975 he was a scout for theBaltimore Orioles, and from 1976 to 1977 he was a scout for theMajor League Baseball Scouting Bureau.[1]
He was the Chicago Cubs' first base and third base coach in 1998–1999.[1][11]
Gamboa was a Major League coach for theKansas City Royals from 2001 to 2003, serving as the bullpen coach in 2001 and 2003 and the team's first base coach in 2002.[1][11][16][17] While he was the Royals first base coach, he was attacked on the field atComiskey Park by two fans during a game against theChicago White Sox on September 19, 2002. Gamboa suffered permanenthearing loss in his right ear.[18][19]
Gamboa managed theIndios de Mayagüez in Puerto Rico'sLiga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente in seven winter league seasons from 1995 to 1996 through 2002–03, reaching the finals in six seasons and winning three championships, managed in six Puerto Rican League All-Star games, and was named Manager of the Year following the 1995–96 and 1996–97 seasons.[1] In 2002, he was inducted into the Association of Major League Legends of Latin America.[1]
Gamboa managedNaranjeros de Hermosillo in theLiga Mexicana del Pacífico winter league in 2004.[1]
In September 2016, Gamboa was the bench coach forIsrael at the 2017 World Baseball Classic qualifier.[20] In an interview, he said he was serving as a Coach, due to his longtime friendship with managerJerry Weinstein, and his knowledge of MCU Park (where the Qualifier was being played) even though he wasn't Jewish. He continued in a similar role forTeam Israel at the 2017 World Baseball Classic main tournament in South Korea and Japan. During those games, Gamboa served as the third base coach as well.[20]
In 2010, he managed the Palm Springs Power of the Southern California Collegiate Baseball League to a 34–4 mark, the best in team history.[1]
