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.”
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