Garry Templeton

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Garry Templeton
Shortstop
Born: March 24, 1956 (1956-03-24) (age 52)
Lockney, Texas
Batted: Switch Threw: Right
MLB debut
August 9, 1976
for the St. Louis Cardinals
Final game
October 5, 1991
for the New York Mets
Career statistics
Batting average     .271
Hits     2096
RBI     728
Teams
Career highlights and awards
  • All-Star (NL): 1977, 1979, 1985
  • N.L. Silver Slugger Award: 1980, 1984
  • Led N.L. in hits (211) in 1979
  • Led N.L. in triples in 1977 (18), 1978 (13), and 1979 (19)

Garry Lewis Templeton (born March 24, 1956 in Lockney, Texas) is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, and New York Mets from 1976 to 1991. Templeton had good batting numbers in an era when shortstops did not provide much offense.

He was hailed by many as one of the best players in baseball early in his career, which featured All-Star Game appearances in 1977 and 1979. In the latter year, Templeton made history as the first switch-hitter to collect 100 hits from each side of the plate, a feat achieved only once more since then. His total of 211 hits led the National League, and with 19 triples, he led the league for a third consecutive season. He caused some controversy in 1978 when, despite having better numbers than either Dave Concepcion or Larry Bowa, two of the National League's premier shortstops at the time, he wasn't selected to start at shortstop for the National League All-Star team. He was named to the team as a reserve, but refused to go. In response, he made his now-infamous quote, "If I ain't startin', I ain't departin'!"

He continued to hit well in 1980 and 1981, but wasn't popular with Cardinals fans. During the 1981 season, Templeton made an obscene gesture to some fans who had allegedly been heckling him. This proved to be too much for the Cardinals' management to accept – having a player insult the team's fans is never a good idea, and even more so in St. Louis where fans are considered to be among baseball's most knowledgeable and loyal. Therefore, manager Whitey Herzog pulled Templeton off the field, and after the end of the season traded him to the Padres for Ozzie Smith. The trade was welcomed by everyone involved, as Smith was (then) a light-hitting defensive wizard and the Cardinals needed to improve their defense. He was also embroiled in a contract dispute with Padres' management. Templeton, while not as strong afield, was a much better hitter going to a team with a struggling offense.

Unfortunately for Templeton and the Padres, Smith developed into a better hitter with the Cardinals. Meanwhile, Templeton played well enough to keep the starting shortstop job in San Diego for many years, but knee problems diminished his ability as a hitter. As a result, Templeton is unfairly maligned for being part of what was considered a lopsided trade.

Ironically, Templeton, who began his career as an unpopular player in St. Louis, went on to become one of the most popular players in Padres history, and was considered an emotional leader on the 1984 National League championship team. He was named team captain of the Padres by manager Larry Bowa in 1987, and assumed that role until he was traded to the New York Mets in 1991.

After his retirement as an active player in 1991, Templeton stayed in the game as a coach and minor-league manager. From 1998 through 2001, he managed the Salt Lake Stingers of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, posting a 294-272 record. From 2003 to 2004, he managed the Gary Railcats of the Northern League, moving on to manage the Golden Baseball League's Fullerton Flyers in 2005.

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