Introduction
Michael James Gardiner (born October 19, 1965) is a Canadian former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Montreal Expos, and Detroit Tigers. He was a switch hitter and threw right-handed.
Career
Gardiner was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 18th round (448th) of the 1987 Major League Baseball Draft out of Indiana State University. He signed June 6, 1987. He reached the Majors on September 8, 1990.
In his college career, Gardiner led Indiana State to the College World Series; he currently holds the career wins record (30) for the Sycamores, he's #2 in strikeouts (296) and #5 in complete games (16). He was a member of the Canadian Olympic Team for the 1984 Olympics and the 1985 Intercontinental Cup.
In a six-year major league career, Gardiner posted 17 wins, 27 losses, and a career 5.21 ERA in 136 career games. He spent a total of 12 seasons in the minors, posting a W/L record of 61–42, 3.97, 11 Saves and an ERA of 3.45. He was the Eastern League Pitcher of the Year in 1990.
Personal life
Gardiner lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is the owner/manager of the Charlotte Stealth Baseball Organization (Travel baseball for players 9U up to 17U).
His son, Eric, passed away in February 2024 at the age of 28, following a battle with cancer.