Garry Templeton
Encyclopedia
Garry Lewis Templeton, nicknamed "Jumpsteady", (born March 24, 1956 in Lockney, Texas
) is a former shortstop
in Major League Baseball
who played for the St. Louis Cardinals
, San Diego Padres
, and New York Mets
from 1976 to 1991. Templeton had good batting numbers in an era when shortstops did not provide much offense.
appearances in and . In the latter year, Templeton made history as the first switch-hitter to collect 100 hits
from each side of the plate, a feat achieved only once more since then. His total of 211 hits led the National League
, and with 19 triple
s, he led the league for a third consecutive season. He caused some controversy in 1979 when, despite having better numbers than either Dave Concepción
or Larry Bowa
, two of the National League's premier shortstops at the time, he wasn't selected to start at shortstop for the National League All-Star team. He was named to the team as a reserve, but refused to go. In response, he made his now-infamous quote, "If I ain't startin', I ain't departin'!"
He continued to hit well in and , but wasn't popular with Cardinals fans. During an August 26, 1981 home game in St. Louis, Templeton made an obscene gesture to some fans who had allegedly been heckling him. This proved to be too much for the Cardinals' management to accept, and manager Whitey Herzog
pulled Templeton off the field, and after the end of the season traded him to the Padres for Ozzie Smith
. The trade was welcomed by everyone involved, as Smith was (then) a light-hitting defensive wizard and the Cardinals needed to improve their defense. He was also embroiled in a contract dispute with Padres' management. Templeton, while not as strong afield, was a much better hitter going to a team with a struggling offense.
Unfortunately for Templeton and the Padres, Smith developed into a better hitter with the Cardinals. Meanwhile, Templeton played well enough to keep the starting shortstop job in San Diego for many years, but knee problems diminished his ability as a hitter. As a result, Templeton is unfairly maligned for being part of what was considered a lopsided trade.
Ironically, Templeton, who began his career as an unpopular player in St. Louis, went on to become one of the most popular players in Padres history, and was considered an emotional leader on the National League championship team. He was named team captain of the Padres by manager Larry Bowa in 1987, and assumed that role until he was traded to the New York Mets
in 1991.
After his retirement as an active player in 1991, Templeton stayed in the game as a coach and minor-league manager. From 1998 through 2001, he managed in the Anaheim Angels organization for four different teams, posting a 294-272 record. From 2003 to 2004, he managed the Gary Railcats of the Northern League, moving on to manage the Golden Baseball League
's Fullerton Flyers
in 2005. After three years with the Flyers, he would move on to manage the Arizona Winter League
's Palm Springs Chill
in 2008, then would return to the GBL to manage the Long Beach Armada
in 2009. He managed the Chico Outlaws
to the GBL Championship in 2010.
Lockney, Texas
Lockney is a town in Floyd County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,056 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lockney is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
) is a former shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who played for the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, and New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
from 1976 to 1991. Templeton had good batting numbers in an era when shortstops did not provide much offense.
About
He was hailed by many as one of the best players in baseball early in his career, which featured All-Star GameMajor League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
appearances in and . In the latter year, Templeton made history as the first switch-hitter to collect 100 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
from each side of the plate, a feat achieved only once more since then. His total of 211 hits led the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
, and with 19 triple
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
s, he led the league for a third consecutive season. He caused some controversy in 1979 when, despite having better numbers than either Dave Concepción
Dave Concepción
David Ismael Concepción Benitez , better known as Dave Concepción, is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball. He was born in Ocumare de la Costa, Aragua State, Venezuela...
or Larry Bowa
Larry Bowa
Lawrence Robert Bowa is a former middle infielder, playing mainly as a shortstop, and manager in Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
, two of the National League's premier shortstops at the time, he wasn't selected to start at shortstop for the National League All-Star team. He was named to the team as a reserve, but refused to go. In response, he made his now-infamous quote, "If I ain't startin', I ain't departin'!"
He continued to hit well in and , but wasn't popular with Cardinals fans. During an August 26, 1981 home game in St. Louis, Templeton made an obscene gesture to some fans who had allegedly been heckling him. This proved to be too much for the Cardinals' management to accept, and manager Whitey Herzog
Whitey Herzog
Dorrel Norman Elvert "Whitey" Herzog is a former Major League Baseball manager. Born in New Athens, Illinois, he made his debut as a player in 1956 with the Washington Senators. After his playing career ended in 1963, Herzog went on to perform a variety of roles in Major League Baseball, including...
pulled Templeton off the field, and after the end of the season traded him to the Padres for Ozzie Smith
Ozzie Smith
Osborne Earl "Ozzie" Smith is an American former baseball shortstop who played in Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals from 1978 to 1996...
. The trade was welcomed by everyone involved, as Smith was (then) a light-hitting defensive wizard and the Cardinals needed to improve their defense. He was also embroiled in a contract dispute with Padres' management. Templeton, while not as strong afield, was a much better hitter going to a team with a struggling offense.
Unfortunately for Templeton and the Padres, Smith developed into a better hitter with the Cardinals. Meanwhile, Templeton played well enough to keep the starting shortstop job in San Diego for many years, but knee problems diminished his ability as a hitter. As a result, Templeton is unfairly maligned for being part of what was considered a lopsided trade.
Ironically, Templeton, who began his career as an unpopular player in St. Louis, went on to become one of the most popular players in Padres history, and was considered an emotional leader on the National League championship team. He was named team captain of the Padres by manager Larry Bowa in 1987, and assumed that role until he was traded to the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
in 1991.
After his retirement as an active player in 1991, Templeton stayed in the game as a coach and minor-league manager. From 1998 through 2001, he managed in the Anaheim Angels organization for four different teams, posting a 294-272 record. From 2003 to 2004, he managed the Gary Railcats of the Northern League, moving on to manage the Golden Baseball League
Golden Baseball League
The Golden Baseball League, based in San Ramon, California, was an independent baseball league. It later merged with the Northern League and the United Baseball League to form the North American League in the western United States, western Canada and Mexico....
's Fullerton Flyers
Fullerton Flyers
The Fullerton Flyers are a professional baseball team based in Fullerton, California, in the United States. They are an independent franchise which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
in 2005. After three years with the Flyers, he would move on to manage the Arizona Winter League
Arizona Winter League
The Arizona Winter League is the short-season instructional independent winter professional baseball league affiliated with the independent North American League...
's Palm Springs Chill
Palm Springs Chill
The Palm Springs Chill are an independent baseball team based in Palm Springs, California. They are co-owned by the Palm Springs Power and play their home games at Palm Springs Stadium...
in 2008, then would return to the GBL to manage the Long Beach Armada
Long Beach Armada
The Long Beach Armada was an independent professional baseball team based in Long Beach, California, in the United States. The Armada was a member of the North Division of the now-defunct Golden Baseball League, which was not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
in 2009. He managed the Chico Outlaws
Chico Outlaws
The Chico Outlaws are a professional baseball team based in Chico, California, in the United States. The Outlaws are a member of the Western Division of the independent North American League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
to the GBL Championship in 2010.
Year-by-year managerial record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Cedar Rapids Kernels Cedar Rapids Kernels The Cedar Rapids Kernels are a Class A minor league baseball team based in Iowa. It is affiliated with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and plays in the Midwest League.-Franchise history:... |
Midwest League Midwest League The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort... |
71-69 | 8th | Did not qualify |
| 1999 | Erie SeaWolves Erie SeaWolves The Erie SeaWolves are a minor league baseball team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers Major League Baseball club.... |
Eastern League | 81-61 | 2nd | Lost in first round |
| 2000 | Edmonton Trappers Edmonton Trappers The Edmonton Trappers were a minor league baseball team in the Pacific Coast League, ending with the 2004 season. Home games were played at Telus Field in downtown Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.... |
Pacific Coast League Pacific Coast League The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The... |
63-78 | 12th | Did not qualify |
| 2001 | Salt Lake Stingers | Pacific Coast League | 79-64 | 4th | Did not qualify |
| 2003 | Gary SouthShore RailCats Gary SouthShore RailCats The Gary SouthShore RailCats are a professional baseball team based in Gary, Indiana, in the United States. The RailCats are a member of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. The RailCats have played their home games at... |
Northern League | 36-54 | 9th | Did not qualify |
| 2004 | Gary SouthShore RailCats | Northern League | 31-65 | 10th | Did not qualify |
| 2005 | Fullerton Flyers Fullerton Flyers The Fullerton Flyers are a professional baseball team based in Fullerton, California, in the United States. They are an independent franchise which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball... |
Golden Baseball League Golden Baseball League The Golden Baseball League, based in San Ramon, California, was an independent baseball league. It later merged with the Northern League and the United Baseball League to form the North American League in the western United States, western Canada and Mexico.... |
34-56 | 7th | Did not qualify |
| 2006 | Fullerton Flyers | Golden Baseball League | 43-37 | 2nd | Lost league finals |
| 2007 | Fullerton Flyers | Golden Baseball League | 37-39 | 4th | Did not qualify |
| 2008 | Palm Springs Chill Palm Springs Chill The Palm Springs Chill are an independent baseball team based in Palm Springs, California. They are co-owned by the Palm Springs Power and play their home games at Palm Springs Stadium... |
Arizona Winter League Arizona Winter League The Arizona Winter League is the short-season instructional independent winter professional baseball league affiliated with the independent North American League... |
15-4 | 1st | Lost in first round |
| 2009 | Long Beach Armada Long Beach Armada The Long Beach Armada was an independent professional baseball team based in Long Beach, California, in the United States. The Armada was a member of the North Division of the now-defunct Golden Baseball League, which was not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball... |
Golden Baseball League | 41-35 | 3rd | Did not qualify |
| 2010 | Chico Outlaws Chico Outlaws The Chico Outlaws are a professional baseball team based in Chico, California, in the United States. The Outlaws are a member of the Western Division of the independent North American League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball... |
Golden Baseball League | 54-30 | 1st | Won league finals |
See also
- List of major league players with 2,000 hits
- List of Major League Baseball players with 100 triples
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases
- List of Major League Baseball triples champions