Gary Gaetti

Gary Gaetti

Birthdate	8/19/1958
Death Date
Debut Year	1973
Year of Induction
Teams	Angels, Cardinals, Cubs, Red Sox, Royals, Twins
Position	Third Base

Gary Gaetti homered in his first MLB at bat; 6 years later he became the first to slug home runs in his first two postseason plate appearances.

Four-time Gold Glover Gary Gaetti slammed 20+ home runs in 8 of his 20 big league seasons

Gary Gaetti played 20 seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1981 to 2000. He debuted with the Minnesota Twins, hit a homer in his first big league at bat, and went on to become one of the franchise’s most beloved players. After a 9-game cup of coffee in 1981, Gaetti became the Twins everyday

After a 9-game cup of coffee in 1981, Gaetti became the Twins everyday third baseman in ’82. His 25 home runs and 84 RBI earned him a 5th-place finish in Rookie of the Year balloting. The third baseman slugged 20 or more homers in three of his first four full seasons. Then in 1986 he blossomed. Complimenting a career-high 35 dingers with 108 RBI and a 135 OPS+, Gaetti also earned the first of four straight Gold Glove Awards.

In ’87 he and the Twins put it all together. Supported by Gaetti’s team-high 36 doubles, and 109 RBI, Minnesota topped the AL West with 85 wins. In the ALCS Gaetti and his team faced off against the heavily-favored 98-win Tigers.

Detroit sent trade-deadline acquisition Doyle Alexander to the hill in Game 1. The right hander was stunning in the Motor City, going 9-0 with a 1.53 ERA in ’87. In his first postseason at bat Gaetti greeted Alexander by hitting a second-inning home run. After Detroit tied it in the third, Gaetti clubbed his second homer in as many at bats in the 5th. In the process he became the first player to leave the yard in each of his first two playoff at bats. The Twins vanquished the Tigers in five games.

In the Series Gaetti hit .300 with a .650 slugging percentage. Half of his hits went for extra bases and writers voted him the ALCS MVP. In a thrilling 7-game Series against the Cardinals in Fall Classic Gaetti recorded two doubles, a triple, and his third home run of the postseason as the Twins won their first World Series title.

After a decade in Minnesota, he signed as a free agent with the California Angels in 1993. Gaetti then played for the Royals from 1993 to 1995. In his final season with in KC, he hit 35 home runs to tie his career-high and earn the Silver Slugger Award at age 37.

From 1996-2000 he closed out his playing days with the Cardinals, Cubs, and the Boston Red Sox.

Over his career, Gaetti earned four Gold Glove Awards and slammed 20 or more home runs in 8 seasons. Gaetti finished with 2,280 hits, 360 home runs, and 1,341 RBIs. His career WAR stands at 42.1. In 2007, Gaetti was inducted into the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame on his 49th birthday, capping a distinguished career as one of the franchise’s greats.

Shown here is a ticket to Gaetti’s finest moment, Game 1 of the ’87 ALCS when he made history as the first player to homer in each of his first two postseason at bats.

Gary Gaetti made two scoreless pitching appearances for Tony LaRussa's Cardinals

Gary Gaetti played in 2,507 major league games during his career. Three of those games came on the pitcher’s mound. His first appearance on the hill came on September 20, 1997 for Tony La Russa’s St. Louis Cardinals. With his team trailing 10-1, La Russa called on Gaetti to get the final out. Gaetti gave up a single to Turner Ward, then hit Al Martin. He finished the inning by getting Kevin Young to ground into a fielder’s choice.

La Russa used Gaetti again on July 24, 1998 against the Rockies. This time, Gaetti entered in the 9th inning with his team trailing 12-3. After 307 days of rest, he pitched another scoreless frame, allowing two hits.

Gaetti’s final mound appearance came on July 3, 1999 with the Cubs. Entering with a perfect 0.00 ERA, he hoped to continue his success. Instead, Gaetti allowed two runs on two hits, including a homer and a triple, while also walking one batter. His Cubs lost 19-8.

In total, Gaetti pitched 2 1/3 innings over three games. His ERA ended up at 7.71, reflecting his struggles on the mound. Despite those challenges, his brief pitching career remains a unique part of his long and successful playing days.

Shown here is a ticket signed by Gaetti’s St. Louis manager Tony LaRussa. The September 10, 2003 contest for which this ticket allowed entry was the 2,000th victory of LaRussa’s managerial career. Only six skippers reached the mark prior to the Cardinals pilot.

La Russa’s teams went on to win nearly 1,000 additional games. When he retired in 2022, his 2,884 wins was second in baseball history. Only Connie Mack with an astounding 3,731 finished with more. LaRussa gained baseball’s ultimate honor when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.