Rich Gedman is a former American baseball player who played as a catcher in the Major League Baseball (MLB) for 13 seasons. He was born on September 26, 1959, in Worcester, Massachusetts, and attended St. Peter's High School in Worcester.
Gedman was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the third round of the 1977 MLB draft and made his debut in the MLB in 1980. He quickly established himself as a reliable catcher and became a fan favorite in Boston. He played for the Red Sox until 1990, and during his time with the team, he was named an All-Star twice (1985 and 1986) and won a Silver Slugger award in 1985.
In 1990, Gedman signed with the Houston Astros as a free agent and played for them for two seasons. He then played for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1992 before retiring from professional baseball.
Throughout his career, Gedman was known for his strong arm and defensive skills as a catcher. He also had a solid batting average and was a consistent hitter. In total, he played in 1,098 games and had a career batting average of .252 with 88 home runs and 382 RBIs.
After retiring from baseball, Gedman stayed involved in the sport as a coach and manager. He served as a hitting coach for the Worcester Tornadoes of the Can-Am League and later became the manager of the team. He also coached at the college level, serving as an assistant coach for the Worcester Polytechnic Institute baseball team.
In addition to his coaching career, Gedman has also been involved in various charitable organizations. He has worked with the Jimmy Fund, a charity that supports cancer research and care at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, and has also been involved with the Miracle League, an organization that provides opportunities for children with disabilities to play baseball.
Overall, Rich Gedman had a successful career as a catcher in the MLB, earning recognition for his defensive skills and consistent hitting. He has continued to stay involved in the sport as a coach and has also made a positive impact through his charitable work.
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