May 8, 2013 by Wayne McBrayer
Padres360 includes honoring our past, encouraging our future, and supporting our team. Throwback Thursdays will be devoted to honoring our past. We are very honored to share this about Rusty Gerhardt.
Rusty Gerhardt is a left handed pitcher who pitched for the Padres in 1974. His first career win came on August 4, 1974 against the Cincinnati Reds. He appeared in his last MLB game on September 24, 1974 pitching 7 innings of 2 run ball against the San Francisco Giants and earning the win.
Padres360 – What was the proudest moment of your major league career?
Rusty – When I got to pitch in Pittsburgh in front of my grandfather and parents. I came in with 2 outs and the bases loaded and struck out Willie Stargell. They got to see me pitch twice that weekend. Friday night and Sunday afternoon.
Padres360 – What path did you take after your major league career?
Rusty – I worked my way back down to AA due to a sore shoulder, then labored to get back to AAA Hawaii in 1978. I was the player/manager in Amarillo in 1979 and then managed for 11 years after that before taking a scouting job with the MLB Scouting Bureau in 1989.
Padres360 – Where are you and what are you doing now?
Rusty – I have been the area scouting supervisor for the MLB Scouting Bureau in North Texas and Northern Louisiana for 25 years.
Padres360 – Who were your favorite Padres players when you were on the team?
Rusty – Joe McIntosh and Dave Hilton were fun to hang out with.
Padres360 – Is there anything you would like to add?
Rusty – I am forever grateful to Gus Lombardo for giving me the opportunity to play for the Padres. Also to Bob Fontaine for calling me to the big leagues and to Roy Hartsfield for believing in me enough to tell me I was going to the big leagues.
We hope you enjoyed learning more about Rusty and what he is doing today.
For Padres360
Wayne McBrayer
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