Quick Facts:
| Full Name | Gary Joseph Gaetti |
| Date of Birth | August 19, 1958 |
| Birth Place | Centralia, Illinois, USA |
| Nickname | The Rat |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Age | 63 years old |
| Height | 6 feet (183 cm) |
| Weight | 81 kg (180 lbs) |
| Hair Color | Brown (natural) |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Build | Athletic |
| Father’s Name | Bill Gaetti |
| Mother’s Name | Jackie (Shahan) |
| Siblings | An elder sister, Cheryl Gaetti |
| Education | Centralia High School Lincoln Land Community College Lake Land College Northwest Missouri State University. |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Debby and Donna (former wives), Joni (current wife, married in 2014) |
| Kids | Two sons; Joe Gaetti and Jacob Gaetti A daughter; Gigi Gaetti |
| Profession | Former Baseball player |
| Position | Third baseman |
| Affiliations | Minnesota Twins California Angels Kansas City Royals St. Louis Cardinals Chicago Cubs Boston Red Sox |
| Throws and Bats | Right |
| Net Worth | $1.5 million |
| Social Media | |
| Merch | Autographed Baseball Card, Signed Baseball |
| Last Update | May, 2022 |
Gary Gaetti’s 1980s gameplay ranks among the top 20 home runs in Cubs history and the top 100 royals of all time., his 1980s gameplay ranks among the top 20 home runs in Cubs history and the top 100 royals of all time.
What is the Net Worth of Gary Gaetti?
Gary Gaetti is said to have a net worth of $10.5 million at the moment.
We have extremely limited information on his career earnings since MLB prefers to keep payment information secret. During his MLB career, he is reported to have earned roughly $21.5 million.
In addition, from 1991 to 1993, he earned $3 million each year. Similarly, from 1996 through 1999, the former baseballer received $2 million every year, with the exception of 1998, when he got $1.6 million.
Gary Gaetti Day
“It’s a wonderful honor, and coming back here and witnessing the community’s support has been fantastic.” I’m absolutely overjoyed to be doing this in my hometown and to see how everything is coming together.”
The city of Centralia commemorates Major League Baseball’s opening day as Gary Gaetti Day, which is a nice fact. It’s to celebrate Gary, one of the city’s most famous sports figures.
The day was originally proposed as a resolution during a City Council meeting.
It appears to be hosted by the Gaetti Sports Academy, as Gaetti and other former Major Leaguers attend.
In addition, when the citizens and mayors engage in the celebration, they incorporate games and rewards appropriate to the occasion.
“One of Centralia’s greatest heroes is Gary Gaetti. We are honored to have Gary Gaetti Day in Centralia on Major League Baseball’s opening day.” Herb Williams, Mayor of Centralia
About Gary Gaetti ( Education, Family, and Childhood)
Gary Joseph Gaetti (full name Gary Joseph Gaetti) was born on August 19, 1958, under the zodiac sign of Leo.
He was the second child of Jackie (Shahan) and Bill Gaetti, and was born in Centralia, Illinois.
He does, in fact, have a younger sister called Cheryl Gaetti. His mother worked as a secretary and office manager at the time, while his father was a blue-collar railroad worker.
Baseball and beer were the two primary things in Gary’s childhood, according to him. Baseball had taken its toll on him, and he would frequently play catch.
He would frequently play ball with his father once his father returned home. Every year, the entire family would travel to Busch Stadium in St. Louis to attend baseball games.
Gary obtained an autograph from Lou Brock and a bat from Dick Schofield on his tour.
Gary, too, started early in the line and continued to play it throughout his high school years and beyond.
Education
Gary had demonstrated his skill as a thirteen-year-old when he hit a home run that cleared the tree 250 feet away.
Gary amazed everyone with his intensity and charisma as he dedicated himself to Centralia High School.
He even received all-state accolades in baseball and football at the time.
Gary was a standout safety and quarterback in football, in addition to baseball.
Despite his enormous potential, his family believes he is on par with minor leaguers.
Gary, on the other hand, wasn’t well-recruited after high school, and he assumed he’d follow in his father’s footsteps and work for the railroad. Bill Gaetti, on the other hand, enrolled him in Lincoln Land Community College.
Gary was able to resume his baseball career as a result of this. He went on to play for Lake Land College in Mattoon, Illinois, and Northwest Missouri State University later in his career.
Gary Gaetti’s Professional Career
Gary, in fact, has been drafted three times for baseball. Initially, he was selected in the fourth round of the Major League Baseball draft in January 1978 by the St. Louis Cardinals.
Following that, the Chicago White Sox selected him in the third round of the June supplemental draft the following year.
Finally, in the June secondary phase of the 1979 selection, the Minnesota Twins selected him in the first round.
The Twins picked him when he transferred to Missouri State University during his sophomore year.
He had previously turned down offers from both the Cardinals and the White Sox. Gary goes on to describe the time when he got his biggest break in the games.
Minnesota Twins
Later, he began his professional career with the Minnesota Twins’ Rookie-level team in Elizabethton, Tennessee.
He played three years of his career in the Appalachian League, the Midwest League’s A-level Wisconsin Rapids Twins, and the Southern League’s AA-level Orlando Twins.
His minor-league accomplishments won him a promotion to the top leagues, where he made his major-league debut with a home run. Gary finished sixth in the AL Rookie of the Year voting as a result of it.
Gary spent nine seasons with the Twins, during which time he won four straight Gold Glove Awards for outstanding fielding.
In the meanwhile, he was the Series MVP and guided the Twins to their first World Series championships.
In the American League Championship Series, he also made his first two career playoff plate appearances.
He also received his second and third Gold Glove Awards, as well as his first two All-Star selections.
California Angels
Gary was immediately signed by the California Angels for a four-year, $11.4 million contract. It was also the season in which his performance began to deteriorate.
Gary’s time on the bench has dwindled by the 1993 season. The Angels released him before his contract was up, therefore he was released early.
Kansas City Royals
Gary returned to his games after joining the Kansas City Royals, where he set a career best with 35 round-trippers.
He established himself as the AL’s top-hitting third baseman at the time.
St. Louis Cardinals
Gary joined the Cardinals on a one-year, $2 million deal after two seasons with the Royals. In the same 1996 season, he hit a lot of home runs for the squad.
The next year, he gradually reached his 2,000th career hit. Gary claimed that his boyhood fantasy came true during his two-and-a-half-year term.
Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox
Gary inked his agreement with the Cubs on his 40th birthday, and he spent the entire season with the organization.
He also won the National League wild card with the squad. Following that, he was signed by the Boston Red Sox, although he was only able to participate in five games for them.
However, after a season, Gary’s games became sluggish, and the only thing that sprang to mind was retirement.
Overall, he was now deployed as an emergency bullpen pitcher for the squad.
Summary Career Stats
| SUMMARY | WAR | AB | H | HR | BA | R | RBI | SB | OBP | SLG | OPS | OPS+ |
| Career | -42.1 | 8951 | 2280 | 360 | .255 | 1130 | 1341 | 96 | .308 | .434 | .741 | 97 |
Gary Gaetti Retirement and Onwards
Gary resigned from baseball in 2000 after serving as an emergency bullpen pitcher. He is largely regarded as the all-time home run king among players.
His retirement was reportedly the result of a discussion with his wife.
Gary was appointed as the hitting coach for the New Orleans Zephyrs, a Class-AAA affiliate of the Houston Astros.
In plain English. Even after his retirement, he continued to play in the MLB. He moved on to coach the Class-AAA Durham Bulls in North Carolina after nearly five years of service.
From 2012 until 2017, he was the manager of the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League.
Achievements of Gary Gaetti
Gary’s ERA was 7.71 at the end of his career, and he was elected into the NWMSU athletic hall of fame, the “M-Club,” in 2003.
In addition, he has 2,280 total bases in his career and is ranked 159th all-time in Major League Baseball. In MLB, he had a.255 batting average, 360 home runs, and 1,341 runs batted in.
He has played 2,507 games and has 1,130 runs and 2,280 hits in his career. He’s walked 634 times, struck out 1,602 times, and stolen 96 bases.
Some of his achievements to date are highlighted below.
- 2× All-Star (1988 and 1989)
- World Series champion (1987)
- ALCS MVP (1987)
- 4× Gold Glove Award (1986–1989)
- Silver Slugger Award (1995)
- Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame
- Top 25 American League Most Valuable Player (four times)
- 1982 – Fifth in American League Rookie of the Year voting
Accident of Gary Gaetti
Injuries were unpredictable for everyone on the pitch, just like they were for every other player. Gary, on the other hand, has struggled with knee and leg ailments throughout his career.
Gary tore his knee cartilage while swiping a base in August 1988. Dr. J.R. Steadman conducted arthroscopic surgery on him at Lake Tahoe, California, as a result of this.
Outfielder Eric Bullock took his spot in the games because he was out for the season.
Gary was placed on the 15-day injured list again the following year due to lingering problems to his abdomen, back, and knee.
Gary was also dealing with a toe issue at the time of his retirement.
Personal Life of Gary Gaetti
Gaetti is a committed Christian, for those who are unaware. He used to gulp beers, smoke like a chimney, curse like a sailor, and celebrate successes with teammates with shots of whiskey back in the day.
It was as if a new Gary had sprung from the pages of the Bible. Meanwhile, he had purchased his Bible in order to take vows not to return to his previous ways.
Gary, on the other hand, has been a devout Christian since his disabled list and injuries. So, while he was at parties, he began reading the Bible’s values.
Gary made a TV appearance during the 1989 MLB All-Star Game, displaying his glove that said, “Jesus is Lord.”
According to him, faith is also what has gotten him to where he is now. He has completely surrendered himself to Jesus.
Even his best buddy, Minnesota first baseman Kent Hrbek, couldn’t keep up with Gary’s shifting demeanor and new views.
“I wasn’t a cruel or hateful guy.” I wasn’t a drug smuggler in the first place. However, there is no such thing as a degree of sin. Sin is, well, sin. You go to jail if you breach man’s law. And if you breach God’s commandment, you’ll be damned.” Gary Gaetti is a writer who lives in New York City.
Wife and children
Gary was initially married to Debby, his minor league love, with whom he spent 10 years of his life.
After the 1994 season, however, things came to an end when they separated and went their own ways. They had two children together, Joseph (Joe) and Jacob.
Gary also claims that their split was caused by a shift in their lifestyle. After that, he married Donna, his second wife, and they had a daughter named Gigi Gaetti together.
Unfortunately, things between the two did not work out, and he married Joni again in 2014.
Joe Gaetti, one of the children, went on to play collegiate baseball at North Carolina State University, following in his father’s footsteps. Regrettably, he was unable to pursue it as a career.
Joe, on the other hand, only made it to the AAA level in the minor leagues. His Atlantic League career came to an end in 2010 with the Lancaster Barnstormers.
Some FAQs:
Did Gary Gaetti hit a grand slam?
Yes, Gary Gaetti hits a grand slam off Greg Maddux on October 10, 1996, at Fulton County Stadium to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to an 8-3 win over the Atlanta Braves and a tie in the NLCS.
Did the Minnesota Twins trade Gary Gaetti to the California Angels?
No, the baseballer left the Twins as a free agent to join the Angels in 1991.
What is the jersey number of Gary Gaetti?
Gary Gaetti was featured in jersey number eight for the professional baseball team Minnesota Twins.
Is Gary Gaetti a Minnesota Twins Hall of Famer?
Yes, Gary Gaetti was inducted into the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame on August 19, 2007.
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