Wes Gardner: Former Mets Pitcher Traded Away in The Bobby Ojeda Deal (1984-1985)
Wesley Brian Gardner was born on April 29th, 1961, in Benton, Arkansas. Gardner never spoke of his childhood except saying it was rough.The six-foot four right hander attended the University of Central Arkansas where he was later honored in the schools Hall of Fame.
Mets Career: Gardner made his MLB debut on July 29th, at Shea Stadium finishing off the 9th inning of a Mets 5-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs.
On August 5th, Gardner got his first career win, it came in Pittsburgh, when George Foster drove the game winning run with a base hit in the top of the 10th inning. He would blow two late inning saves in the next two weeks, while holding the lead in two other games. On August 12th he earned a 2.1 inning save at Shea Stadium.
Gardner would make 21 appearances for the second place '84 Mets, going 1-1 with a save, finishing 12 games posting a 6.39 ERA.
1985: Gardner started the season at AAA Tidewater but was called up to the Mets in late May. In his second appearance he was roughed up by the San Francisco Giants, for six runs in the 10th inning taking a loss. That outing got him right back to Tidewater, but he did return in September. In just nine games with New York, he was 0-2 with a 5.25 ERA.
That off season Gardner was sent to the Boston Red Sox along with Calvin Schiraldi, John Christensen & LaShelle Tarver in exchange for Bobby Ojeda, John Mitchell & Tom McCarthy.
Post Mets Career: Gardner began the season with the Red Sox, pitching against the White Sox in relief in a 12-2 win.
Over the next two seasons Gardner went 3-7 both times, posting ERA's of 4.89 & 5.88.
Career Stats: In an eight-year career he was 18-30 with 14 saves, posting a 4.90 ERA, with 358 strike outs & 218 walks in 466 innings in 189 appearances, making 44 starts.
Gardner was drafted by the New York Mets in the 22nd round of the 1982 draft.
Gardner began his career at Little Falls in the New York Penn. League in 1982 where he went 3-6 with six saves. In 1983 he pitched at A ball Lynchburg, saving 15 games going 6-3 with a 1.87 ERA.
The next year he was promoted straight to AAA Tidewater where in 40 games with the Tides he went 1-2 with twenty saves while posting a 1.61 ERA. Gardner was impressing the organization so much, he was brought up to the Mets staff in late July, just two years after he was drafted.
Gardner began his career at Little Falls in the New York Penn. League in 1982 where he went 3-6 with six saves. In 1983 he pitched at A ball Lynchburg, saving 15 games going 6-3 with a 1.87 ERA.
The next year he was promoted straight to AAA Tidewater where in 40 games with the Tides he went 1-2 with twenty saves while posting a 1.61 ERA. Gardner was impressing the organization so much, he was brought up to the Mets staff in late July, just two years after he was drafted.
Mets Career: Gardner made his MLB debut on July 29th, at Shea Stadium finishing off the 9th inning of a Mets 5-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs. On August 5th, Gardner got his first career win, it came in Pittsburgh, when George Foster drove the game winning run with a base hit in the top of the 10th inning. He would blow two late inning saves in the next two weeks, while holding the lead in two other games. On August 12th he earned a 2.1 inning save at Shea Stadium.
Gardner would make 21 appearances for the second place '84 Mets, going 1-1 with a save, finishing 12 games posting a 6.39 ERA.
1985: Gardner started the season at AAA Tidewater but was called up to the Mets in late May. In his second appearance he was roughed up by the San Francisco Giants, for six runs in the 10th inning taking a loss. That outing got him right back to Tidewater, but he did return in September. In just nine games with New York, he was 0-2 with a 5.25 ERA.
Post Mets Career: Gardner began the season with the Red Sox, pitching against the White Sox in relief in a 12-2 win.
He then pitched just five games at AAA Pawtucket before getting injured & needing arthroscopic surgery to repair his damage. He was done for the season but stayed with the club for the World Series & was allowed to shag fly balls.
In 1987 he led the Red Sox with ten saves going 3-6 in 49 appearances, although he posted a 5.42 ERA. The next year he pitched in both relief & as a starter, for the first place Red Sox.
Gardner made 18 starts seeing action in 36 games overall. He went 8-6 with a 3.50 ERA & two saves.
1988 Post Season: In the ALCS loss to the Oakland Athletics, he made one appearance, allowing three runs in the Game #3 loss. The A's would sweep the Sox in four games.
Over the next two seasons Gardner went 3-7 both times, posting ERA's of 4.89 & 5.88.
In December 1990, he was traded off to the San Diego Padres for two minor leaguers. There he appeared in 17 games, going 0-1 with a save. He was released in August & got picked up by the Kansas City Royals. He pitched in three games in relief.
Career Stats: In an eight-year career he was 18-30 with 14 saves, posting a 4.90 ERA, with 358 strike outs & 218 walks in 466 innings in 189 appearances, making 44 starts.
Comments