Gary Allenson

Last updated

Gary Allenson
Gary Martin Allenson.jpg
Allenson with the Norfolk Tides in 2007
Catcher
Born: (1955-02-04) February 4, 1955 (age 69)
Culver City, California, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 8, 1979, for the Boston Red Sox
Last MLB appearance
August 23, 1985, for the Toronto Blue Jays
Men's baseball
Representing Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Pan American Games
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1975 Mexico City Team

Gary Martin Allenson (born February 4, 1955) is an American former Major League Baseball catcher and coach and minor league manager. In 2017, he spent a second stint as manager of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats of the Double-A Eastern League, after serving the previous three seasons in that role with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons of the International League. [1] Both are affiliates of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Contents

In October 2017, Allenson and the Blue Jays severed their relationship. [2] A former backup catcher for the Blue Jays, he had been a member of the Toronto player development organization since January 7, 2013. [3]

Playing career

Allenson with the Boston Red Sox Gary Allenson Red Sox.jpg
Allenson with the Boston Red Sox

Nicknamed "Muggsy," Allenson was born in Culver City, California, and graduated from nearby Lawndale High School. He played college baseball for the Arizona State Sun Devils, then was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the ninth round of the 1976 amateur draft. In 1978, his third season of professional baseball, he was named the International League's All-Star catcher and Most Valuable Player after slugging 20 home runs and hitting .299 in 133 games played.

During his rookie 1979 season in the Majors, Allenson was the Red Sox' most-used starting catcher, filling in for injured veteran and future Baseball Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk. After Fisk's departure via free agency after the 1980 season, Allenson was Boston's regular catcher in both 1982 and 1983. For the remainder of his playing tenure (1979–85) in the Major Leagues, however, he was a backup for the Red Sox (1980–81; 1984) and Blue Jays (1985). The 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m), 185 lb (84 kg) Allenson batted and threw right-handed. In a seven-season MLB career, he posted a .221 batting average with 235 hits, 19 home runs and 131 RBI in 416 games played.

Coaching/managing career

Allenson began his minor league managerial career in 1987 with the Oneonta Yankees of the New York Yankees farm system. Compiling an 89–62 record in two years, he led the team to the New York – Penn League championship in 1988.

He returned to the Red Sox organization in 1989, first managing at Lynchburg for two seasons (128–146) and then New Britain for one (47–93). He was promoted to Boston, serving as bullpen coach in 1992 and 1993 and third-base coach in 1994. [4]

He returned to the minors in 1996, managing the Charleston RiverDogs, then a Texas Rangers affiliate, to a 63–78 record, moving on to the Houston Astros farm system the following year to manage the Jackson Generals to a 66–73 mark.

He then spent the next five campaigns in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, the first two leading Louisville, known as the Redbirds in 1998 and the RiverBats in 1999, to a combined 140–148 mark. He was brought up to Milwaukee, where he was the first-base coach in 2000 and the third-base coach in 2001 and 2002. [4]

A 77–57 campaign in 2005 at the helm of the Carolina Mudcats, then a Florida Marlins affiliate, was sandwiched between two stints in the Baltimore Orioles organization. He managed the Ottawa Lynx to a 79–65 finish in 2003. After a 31–37 year as skipper of the Bluefield Orioles in 2006, he returned to the International League to manage the Norfolk Tides to a combined 228–254 in a little over 3+1⁄2 seasons. [4] Allenson was promoted to Baltimore as its third-base coach on June 4, 2010, when Juan Samuel was promoted to interim manager upon the firing of Dave Trembley. [5] Allenson returned to manage the Tides in 2011 [6] then was the 2012 manager of the Aberdeen IronBirds, the Orioles' Short Season-Class A affiliate. [7] His 2012 season was portrayed in a 2021 memoir called Clubbie from the Aberdeen IronBirds' clubhouse attendant, Greg Larson. [8]

Allenson rejoined the Toronto organization in 2013 as manager of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, leading that edition to a 68–72 mark, then was promoted to Buffalo, where his Bisons teams went 77–66 (2014), 68–76 (2015) and 66–78 (2016). He was reappointed manager of the Fisher Cats on January 17, 2017. [1]

Through 2016, Allenson had compiled a career 1,311–1,440 (.477) record over 22 seasons as a minor league manager.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York–Penn League</span> American sports league in minor league baseball

The New York–Penn League (NYPL) was a Minor League Baseball league that operated in the northeastern United States from 1939 to 2020. Classified as a Class A Short Season league, its season started in June, after major-league teams signed their amateur draft picks to professional contracts, and ended in early September.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ernie Whitt</span> American baseball player (born 1952)

Leo Ernest Whitt is an American former professional baseball catcher. He played 15 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), including twelve for the Toronto Blue Jays, and was the last player from the franchise's inaugural season of 1977 to remain through 1989. Whitt was inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Stanley (baseball)</span> American baseball player (born 1954)

Robert William Stanley is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher who spent his entire Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Boston Red Sox. He was later the pitching coach for the Buffalo Bisons, Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, through the 2018 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sal Fasano</span> American baseball player & coach (born 1971)

Salvatore Frank Fasano is an American former professional baseball catcher, who played for nine different Major League Baseball (MLB) teams over his 11-year big league career. Upon retiring as a player, he became a coach within the Toronto Blue Jays organization between 2010 and 2016. After coaching for a single season within the Los Angeles Angels minor league system, Fasano joined the major league coaching staff of the Atlanta Braves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Widger</span> American baseball player (born 1971)

Christopher Jon Widger is an American professional baseball coach and former catcher who is currently the manager for the Sussex County Miners of the Frontier League. He played for the Seattle Mariners, Montreal Expos (1997-2000), New York Yankees (2002), St. Louis Cardinals (2003), Chicago White Sox (2005-2006), and Baltimore Orioles (2006).

Kenneth Paul Huckaby is an American professional baseball coach and former catcher who is currently the manager for the Lake Country DockHounds of the American Association of Professional Baseball. Huckaby attended Manteca High School, and played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, and Boston Red Sox over his 6-year career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Mordecai</span> American baseball player and coach (born 1967)

Michael Howard Mordecai is an American former professional baseball infielder, who played for the Atlanta Braves, Montreal Expos, and Florida Marlins of Major League Baseball (MLB). Since 2010, he has worked in the Toronto Blue Jays organization, including serving as the Blue Jays' quality control coach in 2018. He is currently the head baseball coach at Northside Methodist Academy in Dothan, AL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Meacham</span> American baseball player (born 1960)

Robert Andrew Meacham is an American former professional baseball shortstop, who spent his entire six-year big league playing career with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). Since retiring from active play, Meacham has managed and coached for several organizations in the majors and minors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John McLaren (baseball)</span> American baseball coach and manager

John Lowell McLaren is an American former professional baseball coach and manager. He is best known for his brief tenure as manager of the Seattle Mariners, from July 1, 2007 to June 19, 2008. A native of the Houston, Texas area, McLaren was a catcher in the Houston Astros minor league system from 1970 to 1976, and later managed in the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system.

James Jordan Vermilyea is an American former professional baseball pitcher, and is currently the pitching coach for the Tennessee Smokies. He played part of the 2007 season in Major League Baseball for the Toronto Blue Jays, and most recently played for the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association. He is 6'4" tall and 195 lb (88 kg) in weight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DeMarlo Hale</span> American baseball player and coach

DeMarlo Hale is an American professional baseball coach for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). Hale played minor league baseball from 1983 to 1988 in the Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics organizations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Johnson (baseball)</span> American baseball player (1956–2021)

Ronald David Johnson was an American baseball player, coach and minor league manager. From 2012 through 2018, he managed the Norfolk Tides of the International League, Triple-A farm system affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. His 2018 season with Norfolk was his 14th season as a Triple-A manager; Johnson formerly helmed the Pawtucket Red Sox of the International League (2005–09), and the Omaha Royals (1998) and Omaha Golden Spikes (1999) of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luis Rivera (infielder)</span> Puerto Rican baseball player (born 1964)

Luis Antonio Rivera Pedraza is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball infielder and coach, who played for the Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Houston Astros, and Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jon Nunnally</span> American baseball player (born 1971)

Jonathan Keith Nunnally is a former professional baseball outfielder. He played in the major leagues from 1995-2000. He also played part of 2000 with the Orix BlueWave in Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Trembley</span> American baseball coach and manager

David Michael Trembley is an American professional baseball executive who served as the director of player development of the Atlanta Braves in 2015. Trembley has been the bench coach for the Houston Astros and a manager of the Baltimore Orioles. Before managing the Orioles, Trembley was a minor league manager for twenty seasons, compiling a 1,369–1,413 record. He won two league titles and earned Manager of the Year awards in three leagues. In December 2001, Baseball America selected him as one of minor league baseball's top five managers of the previous 20 years. He served as a coach in the inaugural Futures Game in 1999 and also served as manager for the Southern League and Double-A All-Star Games that season. Trembley has worked for the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dyar Miller</span> American baseball player (born 1946)

Dyar K. Miller is an American former professional baseball pitcher and coach. A graduate of Utah State, Miller pitched 13 seasons in professional baseball between 1968 and 1984, including seven seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, California Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, and New York Mets. After his playing career, Miller coached and instructed for 28 seasons, mainly in the minor leagues. He most recently served as the Cardinals' bullpen coach in 2012.

Jim Mark Czajkowski is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for one season. He pitched for the Colorado Rockies in five games during the 1994 Colorado Rockies season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zach Stewart</span> American baseball player

Zachary Robert Stewart is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox, and Boston Red Sox, and in the KBO League for the NC Dinos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dwight Smith Jr.</span> American baseball player (born 1992)

John Dwight Smith Jr. is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Charros de Jalisco of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles.

John Patrick Schneider is an American professional baseball coach who is the manager of the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He became a coach for the Blue Jays in 2019 and became interim manager on July 13, 2022. After the 2022 season, the Blue Jays hired him as their permanent manager. Prior to coaching, Schneider played six seasons as a catcher in the Blue Jays minor league organization.

References

  1. 1 2 Habib, John (January 19, 2017). "The return of 'Muggsy'". Manchester Union-Leader . Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  2. ↑ Brown, Roger (December 16, 2017). "Fisher Cats Wait on New Manager". New Hampshire Union Leader. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Blue Jays announce Minor League appointments". MLB.com. January 7, 2013. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 Gary Allenson (managing & coaching history) – The Baseball Cube.
  5. ↑ Zrebiec, Jeff (June 4, 2010). "Orioles fire manager Dave Trembley: Samuel to take over club on interim basis". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 4, 2010.
  6. ↑ "Tides sign Portsmouth native and a new manager". The Virginian-Pilot. November 24, 2010. Retrieved November 24, 2010.
  7. ↑ "mlb.com". Archived from the original on January 30, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Greg Larson, "Clubbie: A Minor League Baseball Memoir" (U Nebraska Press, 2021)". New Books Network. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
Sporting positions
Preceded by New Britain Red Sox manager
1991		Succeeded by
Preceded by Boston Red Sox bullpen coach
1992–1993		Succeeded by
Preceded by Boston Red Sox third base coach
1994		Succeeded by
Preceded by Louisville RiverBats manager
1998–1999		Succeeded by
Preceded by Milwaukee Brewers first base coach
2000		Succeeded by
Preceded by Milwaukee Brewers third base coach
2001–2002		Succeeded by
Preceded by Ottawa Lynx manager
2003		Succeeded by
Preceded by Carolina Mudcats manager
2005		Succeeded by
Preceded by Norfolk Tides manager
2007–2010
2011		Succeeded by
Preceded by Baltimore Orioles third base coach
2010
June 4–October 3		Succeeded by
Preceded by New Hampshire Fisher Cats manager
2013
2017		Succeeded by
Preceded by Buffalo Bisons manager
2014–2016		Succeeded by
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.