Audio of the Day: Oscar Gamble
By Mike Silva ~ December 27th, 2009. Filed under: Audio of the Day, Yankees Alumni, Yankees Audio.
Oscar Gamble is one the most interesting hitters we have had on the show.
When you look at his career he received only 500 plate appearances once in 17 seasons. Despite that he still hit 200 homers and an OPS over .800.
Gamble was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in June of 1968 after being discovered by legendary Negro League player Buck O’ Neil. Within a season he was in the big leagues as he saw firsthand the 69′ Cubs get “run over” by the upstart Mets. At the tender age of 20 he was traded to Philadelphia and logged the last hit and RBI at the old Connie Mack Stadium. Still, he didn’t live up to his potential in two seasons and was shipped to the Cleveland Indians.
It was in the American League where Gamble started to show his power, hitting 54 homers for the Indians and receiving 500 plate appearances for the only time in his career. He would hit 31 homers for the White Sox in 1977, but it was his two stints with the Yankees, first in 1976, and then a return in 1979 where he was his most productive. A lefty power hitter like Gamble was a perfect fit for the short porch in right field. He wound up having a majority of his production in pinstripes.
In late September of 2009 Oscar joined me for a few minutes on the radio to remember his time in the big leagues. We talked about playing for Leo Durocher in Chicago, his thoughts on never getting a chance to play full time, his famous “afro”, and some of his Yankees memories.
Today Oscar works with Mint Pros doing events before Yankees games, signing autographs, and talking to the fans.
