Jim Gantner

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James Elmer Gantner (born January 5, 1953 in Eden, Wisconsin) was a Major League Baseball player who played his entire career with Milwaukee Brewers from 1976-92.

1 Background
2 Baseball career
3 Trivia
4 Statistics
5 External links

[edit] Background

He went to high school at Campbellsport High School in nearby Campbellsport, Wisconsin. He played his college baseball at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where he was enshrined into the Titans' Hall of Fame in 1984.

[edit] Baseball career

Gantner was a 12th-round draft pick in the 1974 amateur draft. Gantner spent two years in the minor leagues before being called up to the majors, where he spent the rest of his career (1976-92) with the Milwaukee Brewers. He was best known for his consistent play, which culminated in a respectable .274 career batting average after 17 seasons. Gantner, or "Gumby" as he was affectionately known because of his running style, was the second baseman for the Brewers, who won the American League pennant in 1982 but fell in seven games to the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. He comprised a stellar infield throughout much of the '80s beside Hall of Famers Robin Yount (SS/OF), Paul Molitor (3B), and former Brewer great Cecil Cooper (1B).

Gantner coached several years after he retired as a player. He currently runs River Coffee House in Hartland, Wisconsin, and is employed by the Brewers' organization.

Gantner will enter his first season as field manager of the Wisconsin Woodchucks in 2007.

[edit] Trivia

He pitched one inning in relief in 1979, allowing two hits.

On September 3, 1991 he hit his 1st home run since 1987, ending a streak of 1762 at bats without one.

In addition to "Gumby" Gantner also had the nickname of "Klinger" based on the character from TV's M*A*S*H.

Gantner's last career home run came on August 14, 1992 in the 13th inning, against Boston Red Sox reliever Jeff Reardon. Gantner hit the first pitch into the right field bleachers in Milwaukee County Stadium, giving the Brewers an 8-7 victory. Brewers announcer Bob Uecker had the call with, "Here's the pitch to Gantner. He hits one to right and deep. Get up. Get up. Get outta here - gone! A dinger for Klinger! And this game is over. Woah, Jimmy Gantner!"