Gabe Kapler facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gabe Kapler
Kapler with the Giants in 2023
Outfielder / Manager
Born: (1975-07-31) July 31, 1975 (age 50) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
Professional debut
MLB: September 20, 1998, for the Detroit Tigers
NPB: April 1, 2005, for the Yomiuri Giants
Last appearance
NPB: May 25, 2005, for the Yomiuri Giants
MLB: August 14, 2010, for the Tampa Bay Rays
MLB statistics
Batting average	.268
Home runs	82
Runs batted in	386
Managerial record	456–411
Winning %	.526
NPB statistics
Batting average	.153
Home runs	3
Runs batted in	6
Teams
As player Detroit Tigers (1998–1999) Texas Rangers (2000–2002) Colorado Rockies (2002–2003) Boston Red Sox (2003–2004) Yomiuri Giants (2005) Boston Red Sox (2005–2006) Milwaukee Brewers (2008) Tampa Bay Rays (2009–2010) As manager Philadelphia Phillies (2018–2019) San Francisco Giants (2020–2023)
Career highlights and awards
World Series champion (2004) NL Manager of the Year (2021)

Gabriel Stefan Kapler (born July 31, 1975), known as "Kap", is an American former professional baseball player. He played as an outfielder and later became a manager. Currently, he works as an assistant general manager for the Miami Marlins in Major League Baseball (MLB).

Gabe Kapler was chosen by the Detroit Tigers in the 1995 MLB draft. While playing in the minor leagues, he was named an All-Star three times. In 1998, he was even recognized as the Minor League Player of the Year by several national publications.

He played in the major leagues from 1998 to 2010. His teams included the Tigers, Texas Rangers, Colorado Rockies, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, and Tampa Bay Rays. In 2005, he also played for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan.

After his playing career, Kapler coached for the Israeli national baseball team. He also worked as the Director of Player Development for the Dodgers. He managed the Philadelphia Phillies in 2018 and 2019. In 2020, he became the manager of the San Francisco Giants. He led them to a record-breaking 107 wins in 2021. For this amazing season, Kapler was named the 2021 National League Manager of the Year. The Giants let him go towards the end of the 2023 season. In December 2023, Kapler joined the Miami Marlins as an assistant general manager.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Kapler was born in Hollywood, California. He grew up in Reseda, Los Angeles. He was the smallest player on his Little League team.

He went to William Howard Taft Charter High School. He played shortstop, second base, and third base for the baseball team. He graduated in 1993. Even though he played four seasons, he never hit a home run in high school.

College Baseball Career

Kapler first attended Cal State-Fullerton on a scholarship. He then transferred to Moorpark College in 1994. He was named First Team All-Western State Conference. He batted .337 with seven home runs and 52 runs batted in (RBIs). In 2008, he was added to the Moorpark College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Professional Playing Career

Starting in the Minor Leagues

The Detroit Tigers drafted Kapler in 1995. He quickly showed his talent. In 1996, he led the Class A South Atlantic League in hits and doubles. He also hit 26 home runs and had 99 RBIs. He was named a South Atlantic League All-Star.

In 1997, playing for the Lakeland Flying Tigers, he led the Class A+ Florida State League in doubles. He was named an All-Star there too.

In 1998, with the Jacksonville Suns, Kapler was named the Class AA Southern League Most Valuable Player Award. He hit 28 home runs and had 146 RBIs, which was a league record. He also set a league record for extra-base hits. He was recognized as Minor League Player of the Year by several major sports publications.

Playing for the Detroit Tigers (1998–1999)

Kapler made his Major League debut in 1998. He was the first Tiger drafted so late to reach the majors. In 1999, he hit his first career home run. He finished the season with 18 home runs. This was the third-highest among American League rookies.

Time with the Texas Rangers (2000–2002)

In 1999, Kapler was traded to the Texas Rangers. In 2000, he hit two home runs on Opening Day. He also had a 28-game hitting streak, which was the longest in MLB that season. He batted .302 with 14 home runs and 66 RBIs.

In 2001, he hit 17 home runs and stole 23 bases. He made only one error in the outfield. This gave him a .997 fielding percentage, which was one of the best in the American League.

Joining the Colorado Rockies (2002–2003)

In 2002, Kapler was traded to the Colorado Rockies. He continued to hit well, batting .311 for the Rockies. Overall in 2002, he batted .279. He was especially good with runners in scoring position.

Winning with the Boston Red Sox (2003–2004)

Kapler with the Boston Red Sox in 2004.

The Boston Red Sox acquired Kapler in 2003. He batted .292 for the Red Sox. In 2004, Kapler played a career-high 136 games. He hit 6 home runs and had 33 RBIs. He was a key part of the Red Sox team that won the 2004 World Series. He was on the field when the Red Sox won their first championship in 86 years.

Playing in Japan (2005)

After the World Series win, Kapler decided to play for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan. He wanted a new life experience. He played 38 games in Japan before returning to the Red Sox.

Back with the Boston Red Sox (2005–2006)

Kapler rejoined the Red Sox in July 2005. In September 2005, he injured his left Achilles tendon. This ended his season. He came back from his injury in June 2006. He played error-free outfield for two years in a row. He announced his retirement from playing baseball in December 2006.

Managing in the Minor Leagues (2007)

After retiring as a player, Kapler became a manager. He managed the Greenville Drive, a Single-A team for the Boston Red Sox, in 2007.

Return to Playing with the Milwaukee Brewers (2008)

In September 2007, Kapler decided he wanted to play baseball again. He signed with the Milwaukee Brewers for the 2008 season. He started the season strong, hitting four home runs in his first 26 at-bats.

On August 16, he made an amazing catch against the Dodgers. He ran full-speed and caught a long fly ball, falling into the stands. This catch helped the Brewers win and was named the Play of the Year by MLB fans. He batted .301 with eight home runs in 96 games. He was also the team's best pinch hitter.

Playing for the Tampa Bay Rays (2009–2010)

Kapler with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2009

In 2009, Kapler signed with the Tampa Bay Rays. He chose to add an extra $18 to his salary. This was because 18 represents "life" in Judaism. He often played against left-handed pitchers. In June, he hit home runs in four straight games, tying a team record. He almost broke up a perfect game on July 23, 2009, but his hit was caught by an amazing defensive play.

He signed another contract with the Rays for 2010. He was known for being one of the best hitters against left-handed pitchers. However, he played only 59 games that season due to injuries. He became a free agent after the season.

After His Playing Career

Coaching for Team Israel

Kapler coached for the Israeli national baseball team in 2012. They played in the 2013 World Baseball Classic qualifier. Israel did not qualify for the main tournament.

Working in Television

In 2013, Kapler became a baseball analyst for Fox Sports 1. He appeared on shows like Fox Sports Live. He also wrote for Baseball Prospectus, which uses advanced statistics to analyze baseball.

Director of Player Development for the Dodgers

In November 2014, Kapler became the Dodgers' director of player development. In this role, he made sure all the Dodgers' minor league teams served healthy, organic food. He wanted to help players develop in the best ways possible.

Managerial Career

Managing the Philadelphia Phillies (2018–2019)

Kapler in 2019

On October 30, 2017, the Philadelphia Phillies hired Kapler as their new manager. He was the 54th manager in the team's history. He took over a team that had struggled. His theme for the season was "Be Bold."

In 2018, the Phillies were in first place as late as August 12. They finished the season with 80 wins and 82 losses. In 2019, he managed the team to an 81-81 record. This was Philadelphia's best record since 2012. The Phillies were often in playoff contention but struggled in the final months. After the 2019 season, Kapler was let go by the Phillies.

Leading the San Francisco Giants (2020–2023)

2020 Season

In November 2019, the San Francisco Giants hired Kapler as their manager. He took over a team that had a losing record in 2019. Kapler used a strategy of changing players often to get the best matchups. This helped the Giants' hitters improve a lot. The team finished 8th in runs scored in MLB.

In the shorter 2020 season, he led the team to a 29-31 record. This was better than many expected. The Giants just missed making the playoffs.

2021: National League Manager of the Year

Kapler started the 2021 season with a coaching staff that included many new, young coaches. In April 2021, Kapler won his 200th game as a manager.

In the 2021 regular season, his Giants team won more games than any other team in MLB (107 wins). This was a franchise record for the Giants. He was one of only two managers who were not ejected from a game all season. Kapler used more pinch hitters than any other manager for the second year in a row. His players praised him for keeping good communication with them.

Kapler was named the 2021 National League Manager of the Year. He received almost all the first-place votes. He became only the second Giants manager to win this award. He also won the Sporting News 2021 NL Manager of the Year award. In November, the Giants gave Kapler a two-year contract extension.

2022 Season

Kapler with the Giants in 2022.

In 2022, Kapler continued to use more pinch hitters per game than any other major league manager. This was his third season in a row doing so.

2023 Season

The Giants did not make the playoffs in 2023. This was the third time during Kapler's time as manager. The team had a tough stretch of games late in the season. The Giants let Kapler go three days later.

Managerial Record Overview

Kapler's total managerial record is 456 wins and 411 losses.

Front Office Role

Working with the Miami Marlins (2023–Present)

In December 2023, Kapler became an assistant general manager for the Miami Marlins. He works under Peter Bendix, who was also with the Tampa Bay Rays when Kapler played there. Kapler's main job is to focus on player development within the Marlins' system. He is involved in all parts of baseball operations.

Awards and Recognition

In 2006, Gabe Kapler was inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

Personal Life and Interests

Kapler is known for being very fit. He is an avid weightlifter. He has been featured on the covers of fitness magazines. He also has a blog where he shares tips on fitness, nutrition, and health.

Kapler and his former wife co-founded the Gabe Kapler Foundation. This foundation works to educate people about domestic violence. It also helps women in abusive relationships.

His father passed away in December 2020. Kapler got a tattoo on his left hand to remember his father.

Jewish Heritage

Gabe Kapler is Jewish. He has a Star of David tattoo on his left calf. It says "Strong Willed, Strong Minded" in Hebrew. On his right calf, he has the post-Holocaust motto "Never Again" with a flame. He is proud of his heritage.

He has been nicknamed Hebrew Hammer because of his powerful hits and his Jewish background. This nickname was later also given to Ryan Braun, another Jewish baseball player. In 2005, Kapler was part of a game where three Jewish players were on the field at the same time. This was a record for the most Jewish players on the field in American League history.

In 2008, Kapler passed several players on the all-time list for home runs by Jewish major leaguers. In 2018, Kapler became the eighth Jewish manager in MLB history.

See also

In Spanish: Gabe Kapler para niños

• List of athletes who came out of retirement
• List of Jewish Major League Baseball players