Garry Templeton
"If I ain't startin', I ain't departin.' " That was the defiant quote from Cardinals shortstop Garry Templeton when he was informed he was a reserve on the National League All-Star team in 1978. His hubris was tolerated as long as he was putting up big numbers in St. Louis, but in 1981, Whitey Herzog shipped the controversial shortstop to the Padres for Ozzie Smith. Smith went on to become a legend in St. Louis, while Templeton spent ten solid seasons in a Padre uniform, but never realized his early potential. In his first few seasons with the Cards, Templeton had collected 200 hits twice (setting switch-hitting records in the process) and batted over .300 three times. In less condusive conditions in San Diego, Templeton never approached those numbers again, and seemed to sleepwalk through the remainder of his career. He did end up with more than 2,000 hits, but his career, which in his early 20s seemed destined for Cooperstown, was a disappointment.
Quotes About Templeton
"We want to keep our prime assets. It's business." Cardinals GM John Claiborne in 1980, when the team shelled out $8 million to extend the contracts of Templeton and Keith Hernandez
Played For
St. Louis Cardinals (1976-1981)
San Diego Padres (1982-1991)
New York Mets (1991)
All-Time Rankings
Garry Templeton ranks #35 among the Top 50 all-time at SS. Rankings ⇒
Born
Garry Lewis Templeton was born on March 24, 1956, in Lockney, TX.
Batted: Both
Threw: Right
Primary Position: SS
Primary Team: SDN
Major League Debut
August 9, 1976
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1976
Andre Dawson
Dale Murphy
Willie Wilson
Garry Templeton
Dennis Martinez
Bruce Sutter
Rick Sutcliffe
Joaquin Andujar
Mark Fidrych
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1997 |
BBWAA |
2 |
.4% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1984 National League Championship Series
1984 World Series
Milestones
- August 9, 1990: 2000th Hit...
Hitting Streaks
16 games (1979)
All-Star Selections
1977 NL
1979 NL
1985 NL
Learn More about Garry Templeton
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