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| Gary Gentry | |
|---|---|
| Name | Gary Gentry |
| Birth date | April 26, 1946 |
| Birth place | San Gabriel, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Professional baseball player (pitcher) |
| Years active | 1969–1978 |
| Teams | New York Mets, Montreal Expos |
Gary Gentry
Gary Gentry is a former American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball primarily for the New York Mets and later the Montreal Expos between 1969 and 1978. Best known for his contributions to the Mets' 1969 World Series championship run, Gentry combined power pitching with competitive poise during the late 1960s and 1970s. His career intersected with notable contemporaries and events in Baseball Hall of Fame–era baseball, including matchups against stars from the New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, and Baltimore Orioles.
Born in San Gabriel, California, Gentry attended San Gabriel High School where he played high school baseball and developed a reputation as a hard-throwing prospect in Southern California. He continued his amateur career at Los Angeles Valley College and later contributed to local amateur circuits that included competitions with players from programs such as USC Trojans baseball and UCLA Bruins baseball. During this period he faced future major leaguers from institutions like Arizona State Sun Devils baseball and Long Beach State Dirtbags baseball, attracting attention from scouting departments of franchises including the New York Mets scouting department, Los Angeles Dodgers scouting department, and Milwaukee Brewers scouting department.
Gentry was selected in the amateur draft process and signed with the organization affiliated with the New York Mets farm system, advancing through minor league affiliates such as the Visalia Mets, Raleigh-Durham Mets, and Tidewater Tides. In the minors he competed against prospects associated with the Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates organizations, refining pitches that would later be evaluated by the Baseball Writers' Association of America and professional talent evaluators.
Gentry made his major league debut with the New York Mets during the 1969 season, joining a pitching staff that included Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, and Tug McGraw. He emerged from the Mets' starting rotation to establish himself in a season notable for its uphill rise to the National League East title and the subsequent upset of the Baltimore Orioles in the 1969 World Series.
Over his career with the Mets, Gentry recorded wins and strikeouts that placed him among the rotation contributors during the club's competitive seasons against teams such as the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, and San Francisco Giants. In the mid-1970s he was traded to the Montreal Expos, joining a roster that featured players like Rusty Staub and interacting with the Expos' front office and coaching staff, including personnel from the Major League Baseball Players Association negotiations era. Injuries and changes in organizational direction led to his retirement from major league play in 1978.
Gentry is most remembered for his pivotal starts in the 1969 postseason, particularly his complete-game performances in the 1969 National League Championship Series and the 1969 World Series. Facing lineups that included Frank Robinson, Boog Powell, and Brooks Robinson in the postseason, he delivered clutch outings that helped the Mets secure their first championship. His performance against the Chicago Cubs during the 1969 pennant race and his duel with hurlers from clubs such as the Los Angeles Dodgers amplified his reputation.
Regular-season highlights include multiple double-digit win seasons, noteworthy strikeout totals versus opponents from the Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals, and individual games where he held powerful offenses from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates in check. Gentry's contributions earned recognition from media outlets like the New York Daily News and acknowledgments in annual guides published by Sporting News.
Scouts characterized Gentry as a right-handed pitcher with a four-seam fastball, a sharp fastball-run that drew comparisons to contemporaries in the 1960s pitchers cohort, and a developing curveball and slider used as off-speed offerings. His pitching arsenal was evaluated during scouting reports produced by the New York Mets scouting department and independent talent evaluators aligned with organizations such as Baseball America.
Observers from the Baseball Hall of Fame era described his delivery as compact with good extension, enabling above-average velocity and inducing swings and misses against batters from teams like the Houston Astros and San Diego Padres. Defensive alignments and managers from his playing days, including those associated with the Mets coaching staff and opposing bench bosses such as managers of the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians, noted his competitiveness and ability to perform in high-leverage situations.
After retiring from playing, Gentry remained associated with baseball through coaching clinics, appearances at Old Timers' Day events, and participation in alumni activities organized by the New York Mets and Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association. He worked with youth programs in Southern California, collaborating with local baseball organizations and collegiate programs including Pepperdine Waves baseball and Cal State Fullerton Titans baseball.
Gentry also explored roles in business ventures and community initiatives, networking with former teammates such as Tom Seaver and Cleon Jones and participating in charity events coordinated with entities like the Make-A-Wish Foundation and local sports commissions. In retirement he has been involved with reunions tied to the 1969 Mets and public engagements hosted by the New York Mets Hall of Fame and Museum.
Gentry has kept a relatively private personal life while maintaining ties to former teammates, contemporaries, and the baseball community. His legacy is anchored in the Mets' 1969 championship, with recurring mentions in retrospectives alongside players like Donn Clendenon, Ed Kranepool, and Al Weis. Baseball historians and chroniclers referencing the era often cite his postseason starts when discussing the turning points of the 1969 season.
He is remembered by fans and historians for his competitive performances against storied franchises such as the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Detroit Tigers, and for contributions that helped shape the Mets' identity during a transformative period in Major League Baseball history.
Category:1946 births Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:New York Mets players Category:Montreal Expos players