Catching up with: Jeff Gardner

Barry Faulkner

Jeff Gardner spent seven minor-league seasons trying to get to the

big leagues. Now, preparing for his second season as manager of the

Eugene Emeralds, the San Diego Padres’ short-season single-A affiliate,

the former Estancia High and Orange Coast College standout does

everything he can to expedite his players’ road to the Show.

Gardner spent parts of four seasons (1991-94) as a utility infielder

with the Mets, Padres and Expos, collecting 121 hits, one homer, 26 RBIs

and posting a .246 career batting average.

After his playing days, Gardner became an advance scout for the

Padres, in addition to giving private lessons to numerous local players

over the years.

But, last year, he followed his plan to return to the field and guided

the Oregon-based Emeralds to a 32-44 mark in the Northwest League.

“I had never managed before and I found out there is a lot involved,

especially at that level,” Gardner said. “Coaching third and trying to

run the game was a little overwhelming at first. That first game, I was

exhausted. But I had a lot of fun, too. It was really neat. It had been a

while since I had really competed like that.”

The competition, however, was different than he experienced as a

player.

“In my case, so much of my career ended up being at the triple-A

level,” the 38-year-old Newport Beach resident said. “When you’re so

close to the big leagues, it really becomes a self-centered approach to

playing. The bottom line is how you do and doing what you have to to make

it to the big leagues.

“But, from a managerial standpoint, I really enjoyed the fact that,

while I wanted individuals to do well, winning and losing is what I cared

about. That part was fun.”

Despite wanting to win, Gardner said an emphasis on player development

often dictated more of his game decisions.

“There’s no question that my job is to develop players for the San

Diego Padres,” he said. “Then again, I would also like to advance in my

career and when you win, it at least gives the appearance of being more

successful. So, you kind of get stuck in the middle. There are times when

pinch-hitting for someone is the right decision to win the ballgame, but

not the right decision when it comes to developing that player. At times,

you cost yourself opportunities to win the ballgame, because you’re

thinking about player development.”

Gardner’s staff last year consisted of hitting coach Rob Deer and

pitching coach Urbano Lugo, both former big leaguers.

“The one thing we all tried to do as coaches,” Gardner said, “was try

to teach the players what it’s like to be a big leaguer.”

By the same token, Gardner said his long minor league tenure helped

him embrace the often small-time facilities that permeate the low minors.

“It’s not like I’m Mr. Big Leaguer,” Gardner said. “We had over 4,000

people a night for our home games, we had a neat little old ballpark and

my office was really nice. The way the people of Eugene treated us, was

really a positive experience and it only rained twice the whole season.”

Gardner said another positive was sharing the experience with his wife

and four children, two boys and two girls ages 4-14.

“My daughters worked at the stadium and my wife even dragged the field

one night,” he said. “And my 8-year-old boy was at the ballpark every

day. He hung out with the players and went with me on every road trip. It

really worked out great.”

Gardner returns to Eugene in June, after spending April and May at the

Padres’ extended spring training in Peoria, Ariz. He said he would have

liked to have moved up the ladder, but is eager to use the experience he

gained last season.

“I know I learned a lot last year, but I don’t think I’ll know just

how much, until I go through this season,” he said.

His goal is, once again, to reach the big leagues. But this time, he’d

like to bring his players with him.

“The guys signed the lineup card from my first victory last year and I

have it hanging in my house,” Gardner said. “Hopefully a couple of those

guys will end up in the Hall of Fame.”