Jim Gantner

Jim Gantner
Second baseman
Born: (1953-01-05) January 5, 1953 (age 71) Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, U.S.
Batted: Left Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 3, 1976, for the Milwaukee Brewers
Last MLB appearance
October 3, 1992, for the Milwaukee Brewers
MLB statistics
Batting average	.274
Home runs	47
Runs batted in	568
Stats at Baseball Reference
Teams
Milwaukee Brewers (1976–1992)
Career highlights and awards
American Family Field Walk of Fame Milwaukee Brewers Wall of Honor

James Elmer Gantner (born January 5, 1953) is a former Major League Baseball player who spent his entire career with the Milwaukee Brewers (1976–92).

Background

Gantner was born on January 5, 1953, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and grew up in Eden, Wisconsin, as one of nine children born to Elmer and Erma Gantner. He attended Campbellsport High School in nearby Campbellsport, where he played both baseball and basketball.^[1][2][3]

He played his college baseball at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh (UWO), a small college baseball power in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) at the time.^[3] While playing two years at UWO, he was All-America honorable mention both seasons, and his teams finished third and fifth in the 1973 and 1974 NAIA World Series.^[4] Gantner is in the top four in UWO history in career hits and runs.^[5]

Gantner was enshrined into the Wisconsin-Oshkosh Titans' Hall of Fame in 1984, as well as being inducted into the NAIA District 14 Hall of Fame, and in 2005, into Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.^[4][5][6] In 2012, Gantner was named to the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Baseball All-Time Team.^[4]

Baseball career

The Milwaukee Brewers selected Gantner in the 12th round of the 1974 Major League Baseball draft (268th overall).^[7] Gantner was in the Brewers' minor league system from 1974-1977. Between 1975 and 1976, playing Double-A baseball, his batting average went from .257 to .293. In 1976, he was called up to the majors for the first time and appeared in 26 games for the Brewers. His first at bat was against rookie-of-the-year phenom Mark "the Bird" Fidrych.^[3][8]

He played the majority of the 1977 season at Triple-A Spokane in the Pacific Coast League, where he hit .281, with 15 home runs, 98 runs score and 81 runs batted in (RBI).^[9] He was an all-star three different times in the minor leagues.^[5] In 1978, Gantner joined the Brewers for the entire season, and after two years of playing part-time, he started 100 or more games for eight of the next nine years, chiefly playing second base.^[8]

Ganter was best known for his consistent play, which culminated in a respectable .274 career batting average and .985 fielding percentage at second base (.956 in over 300 games at third base), after 17 seasons.^[8][10] He comprised a stellar infield throughout much of the 1980s beside Hall of Famers Robin Yount at shortstop, Paul Molitor at third base, and Cecil Cooper at first base^[11][12]; though in 1980 Gantner played more games at third base and Molitor played more games at second based, and in 1982, Molitor played center field and Don Money played third base.^{[13][14][2][15]} The Cooper-Gantner-Yount-Molitor infield ended with Yount moving to the outfield in 1985.^[16]

Gantner, or "Gumby" as he was affectionately known because of the way he turned double plays,^[17] was the Brewers’ second baseman when they won the 1982 American League pennant.^[11][3] He hit a career high .295 that year.^[2] Gantner scored the go-ahead and ultimate winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning of the fifth and decisive game of the ALCS, scoring behind Charlie Moore on Cooper's RBI single.^[18][3] The Brewers lost in seven games to the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series,^[19] the franchise's lone World Series appearance to date (as of 2025), and did not return to the playoffs for 26 years.^[20] Gantner hit .333 in the World Series, with four doubles, one triple, and four RBI.^[19]

In 1983, Ganter had a .282 batting average and career highs in home runs (11), triples (8), runs (85), RBI (74), OPS (.730), and a .982 field percentage at second base. In 1984, he again hit .282, with a career high 173 hits.^[2] Gantner was chosen team MVP in 1984.^[6]

Gantner pitched an inning of relief against the Kansas City Royals on August 29, 1979, allowing two hits.^[21] Despite the game being a blowout, he was almost ejected for arguing balls and strikes with the umpire.^{[citation needed]}

In his rookie season, Gantner pinch-ran for Hank Aaron in Aaron's final Major League game on October 3, 1976.^[22]

Gantner rarely hit home runs (only 47 in a 17 year career). On September 3, 1991, he hit his first home run since 1987, ending a streak of 1,762 at-bats without one. 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,^{[citation needed]} giving the Brewers an 8-7 victory.^[23][24]

He retired in 1994, after having issues with a torn rotator cuff over his final years.^[3] He twice led the American League in double plays and putouts by a second baseman, and once led the league in assists.^[5] As of 2025, he has the 16th highest batting average in Brewers' history; the third most games played; the fifth most hits, runs scored, and triples; and the sixth most doubles, among other Brewers' statistics.^[25] His 9.9 defensive WAR is the best in team history.^[10]

Gantner is a member of the Brewers Wall of Honor.^[26] He was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.^[6]

Coaching career

Gantner coached several years after he retired as a player, including two years with the Brewers in 1996-1997 under manager Phil Garner.^[3][27][28] Gantner entered his first season as field manager of the Wisconsin Woodchucks in the Northwoods League in 2007, and managed them in 2008 as well.^[29][30]

Personal life

He was a silent partner of Hale Park Automotive Services in Hales Corners, Wisconsin.^{[citation needed]} He also is employed by the Brewers' organization.^{[citation needed]} Jim also is partial owner of a bar in Eden, Wisconsin, called "Scuds Buds."^[31] The bar "Gumby's Pub" in Milwaukee was named for Gantner.^[32]

Career statistics

Hitting

G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	SB
1,801	6,189	1,696	262	38	47	726	568	383	501	.274	.319	.351	137

He had a career .985 fielding percentage at second base and a .956 fielding percentage at third base, his two primary positions.^[2]

See also

• List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise

References

1. "Sports in Wisconsin - The 20th Century - 1980–1989". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. December 3, 1999. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved May 4, 2007.
2. "Jim Gantner Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
3. Hoffmann, Gregg. "Jim Gantner, Society for American Baseball Research". SABR.org.
4. "Jim Gantner (2015) - Hall of Fame". wiacsports.com. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
5. "Jim Gantner (1984) - Hall of Fame". University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
6. "Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame-Jim Gantner". Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
7. "1974 Baseball Draft by Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
8. "Jim Gantner Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
9. "Jim Gantner Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
10. Staff, Milwaukee Record (March 24, 2020). "The 50 best Milwaukee Brewers players of all time (30-11)". Milwaukee Record. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
11. "1982 Milwaukee Brewers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
12. "1983 Milwaukee Brewers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
13. "Paul Molitor Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
14. "1980 Milwaukee Brewers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
15. "1981 Milwaukee Brewers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
16. "Robin Yount Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
17. STAFF, KENOSHA NEWS (January 24, 2020). "Gantner, Mannelly to appear at Sports Night". Kenosha News. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
18. "1982 American League Championship Series Game 5 Box Score". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
19. "1982 World Series - St. Louis Cardinals over Milwaukee Brewers (4-3)". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
20. "Milwaukee Brewers Team History & Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
21. "Milwaukee Brewers vs Kansas City Royals Box Score: August 29, 1979". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
22. "Detroit Tigers at Milwaukee Brewers Box Score, October 3, 1976".
23. "Jim Gantner Home Runs | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
24. "Boston Red Sox vs Milwaukee Brewers Box Score: August 14, 1992". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
25. "All-Time Brewers Player Hitting Stat Leaders". MLB.com. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
26. Kirby, Hannah (March 28, 2023). "A look at the food, beer and mural at J. Leinenkugel's Barrel Yard at American Family Field ahead of Brewers Opening Day". Journal Sentinel. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
27. "1996 Milwaukee Brewers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
28. "1997 Milwaukee Brewers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
29. "Woodchucks Introduce Gantner as New Manager". WAOW. October 24, 2006. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved June 22, 2007.
30. Henn, Donny (July 28, 2008). "Former Brewer 'Gumby' still a part of Wisconsin baseball". Rochester Post Bulletin. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
31. Hoffmann, Gregg (November 9, 2008). "Jim Gantner helps renovate historic Eden Hotel". OnMilwaukee. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
32. "Gumby's brings neighborhood feel and Brewers' nostalgia to Bay View". OnMilwaukee. March 2, 2011. Retrieved January 2, 2025.

External links

• Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)