Dave Gallagher's Rookie Card with the White Sox in 1988
Dave Gallagher was the 8th overall draft pick in the 1980 MLB Draft. Dave spent parts of 9 seasons in the Minor Leagues, and actually retired from baseball at one point after 8 years in the Minors. However, he was persuaded into giving his dream one more shot and it paid off as he made the AAA roster in 1988 and was soon called up to the White Sox that spring.
“I lived with my wife in a house with four other single guys on the team. We had plain mattresses with no box spring, pool chairs, and used a tree stump from the backyard as a table. It’s embarrassing”
"After 7 or 8 years in the Minor Leagues, I gave myself a deadline. If if wasn't on a MLB roster by August 15th, I was going home. August 15th came when I was in Edmonton, and I booked my flight home and considered myself retired."
"At spring training the year I decided come back and give it one more shot, the General Manager gathered all non rostered players and said, 'We got you for depth in our organization. We wanted quality minor league players to replace someone if we have injuries.' This was a real kick in the gut for me"
"When I was coaching AA, I was told by people above me to spend 100% of my time on priority players"
-Dave Gallagher
Dave Gallagher was the 8th overall draft pick in the 1980 MLB Draft. Dave spent parts of 9 seasons in the Minor Leagues, and actually retired from baseball at one point after 8 years in the Minors. However, he was persuaded into giving his dream one more shot and it paid off as he made the AAA roster in 1988 and was soon called up to the White Sox that spring.
“I lived with my wife in a house with four other single guys on the team. We had plain mattresses with no box spring, pool chairs, and used a tree stump from the backyard as a table. It’s embarrassing”
"After 7 or 8 years in the Minor Leagues, I gave myself a deadline. If if wasn't on a MLB roster by August 15th, I was going home. August 15th came when I was in Edmonton, and I booked my flight home and considered myself retired."
"At spring training the year I decided come back and give it one more shot, the General Manager gathered all non rostered players and said, 'We got you for depth in our organization. We wanted quality minor league players to replace someone if we have injuries.' This was a real kick in the gut for me"
"When I was coaching AA, I was told by people above me to spend 100% of my time on priority players"
-Dave Gallagher