#22 Rob Gardner

A hard luck story of extended existence in and out of minors and majors.....1972 far and away his best MLB endeavor.....while initially signed by the Twins Gardner climbed up the Mets organization during the team’s early years.... only spent one full season in the majors 1966.....output was 4 wins 8 losses 5.12 ERA  including 17 starts amidst a total of 41 games..... Greatest highlight going toe to toe with Chris Short each going for 15 shutout innings in game that was declared an 18 tie....Gardner expected to be in future plans but no return materialized, subsequently bouncing along multiple organizations.....got only short promotions to Cubs and Indians despite the increased demand for players with expansion....was able to turn heads of franchises off a 16 win season in AAA Syracuse in 1970....earned a short stint up that year....an expectation of a steady roster spot were dashed by a ping pong trades between Oakland and NYY.....A’s were already flush with pitching and was used sparingly then returned to NYY organization (landing in Syracuse again) and a call up for the conclusion of 1971....overcame his 4^th straight minor assignment gave a yeoman-like yet abbreviated turn of work for the Yankees as they found themselves in a four way AL East pennant race.....as a starter had a 2.24 ERA stacking eight wins vs four defeats.....Once intensions quickly turned and history repeats and traded prior to 1973 to the A’s who not only sport the strongest staff in league plus the full return of Vida Blue.....naturally limited and ineffective work with a AAA demotion sandwiched in between.....procured by the Brewers in cash deal but arm problems resulted in a poor pitching display.....Gardner was returned to the A’s as damaged goods thereby ending his year and MLB days....went into MiBL coaching while he did return to the mound every once in a while in a very limited role.....one claim to fame was that he was traded to the Yankees for one Alou Brother (Felipe) and traded back to the A’s for another Alou (Matty).