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| Dan Gladden | |
|---|---|
| Name | Daniel Ray Gladden |
| Birth date | 2 December 1957 |
| Birth place | Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Occupation | Professional baseball player, coach, broadcaster |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in |
| Weight | 170 lb |
| Bats | Left |
| Throws | Right |
| Position | Outfielder |
Dan Gladden (born December 2, 1957) is an American former professional baseball outfielder, coach, and broadcaster. He played Major League Baseball for the San Francisco Giants, Minnesota Twins, and Detroit Tigers, winning two World Series championships with the Twins. After retiring, he transitioned to coaching, front-office roles, and broadcasting for regional sports networks and national outlets.
Born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Gladden attended Irondale High School in New Brighton, Minnesota, where he excelled in baseball and football. He played college baseball at Williston State College and later transferred to North Dakota State University, competing in college baseball and developing speed and defensive skills that attracted professional scouts from organizations including the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Oakland Athletics. Scouted during the late 1970s alongside prospects from programs such as Arizona State Sun Devils baseball, USC Trojans baseball, and Florida State Seminoles baseball, he was noted for baserunning relative to contemporaries like Tim Raines, Rickey Henderson, and Lou Brock.
Gladden debuted in Major League Baseball with the San Francisco Giants in 1979, entering a lineup featuring veterans from franchises such as the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Cardinals. Traded to the Minnesota Twins prior to the 1983 season, he became a fixture in an outfield with players tied to the Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, and Seattle Mariners through divisional play. Gladden contributed to the Twins’ resurgence under managers connected to teams like the New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, and Cleveland Indians (now Guardians), culminating in the Twins’ 1987 World Series championship against the St. Louis Cardinals and again in 1991 against the Atlanta Braves. Known for aggressive baserunning, Gladden’s speed and timely hitting were frequently compared to contemporaries on rosters including Cal Ripken Jr., John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, and Greg Maddux. He finished his major league playing career with the Detroit Tigers in 1992 after stints that overlapped with players from the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Chicago White Sox.
After retiring as a player, Gladden moved into coaching and front-office roles, joining organizations with historical ties to the Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, and minor league affiliates linked to the American Association and Pacific Coast League. He worked in player development and community outreach with organizations associated with former executives from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Cincinnati Reds. His post-playing career also included involvement with youth baseball programs connected to institutions such as the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum outreach initiatives, Little League Baseball, and collegiate summer leagues like the Cape Cod Baseball League.
Gladden became a broadcaster for regional and national outlets, serving as a commentator for Fox Sports North, calling games alongside announcers who had worked with networks covering teams such as the Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Cardinals. His broadcasting career intersected with national coverage on networks that partnered with the Major League Baseball Network, ESPN, and Fox Sports. He provided analysis during playoff coverage tied to the American League Championship Series and World Series broadcasts, joining a cohort of former players-turned-broadcasters including Joe Morgan, Tim McCarver, Tony Gwynn, and Hank Aaron. Gladden also participated in radio broadcasts for flagship stations linked to the Minnesota Twins Radio Network and contributed to documentary projects exploring teams like the 1987 Minnesota Twins and 1991 Minnesota Twins’ championship seasons.
Gladden is associated with community and charitable efforts in Minnesota, collaborating with organizations connected to the Twin Cities, United Way, and sports charities that engage alumni from teams including the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Timberwolves. His legacy includes mentoring players who later joined franchises such as the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, and Cleveland Guardians, and he is frequently cited in retrospectives alongside notable Twins figures like Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, Mickey Hatcher, and Frank Viola. Gladden’s contribution to Minnesota sports culture is recognized by local media outlets covering the Metropolitan Stadium era and the Target Field era, and he remains a frequent presence at alumni events, Major League Baseball Hall of Fame related ceremonies, and community appearances tied to the history of the Minnesota Twins.
Category:1957 births Category:Major League Baseball outfielders Category:Minnesota Twins players Category:San Francisco Giants players Category:Detroit Tigers players Category:People from Saint Paul, Minnesota