Gary is regarded as one of the top catchers in Australian baseball history. Baseball historians Flintoff & Dunn called perhaps the most significant hit in Australian baseball history when he hit in the winning run in the 11 innings final of the 1999 Intercontinental Cup. Since turning professional in 1986, Gary has worn the gold and green for Australia from 1995 to which concluded with the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
- Status: Pending1997Intercontinental Cup,Spain. Bronze Medal.
- Status: Pending1999Intercontinental Cup,Sydney. Gold Medal.
- Status: Pending2000Flintoff & Dunn's AMLB Hall of Fame.
Beginnings
Gary's early years were spent in Glyn Street, Picnic Point and he started baseball with the Canterbury Bankstown Vikings as a young tee baller. In 1977, he was selected to represent New South Wales at 11, and for Australia in 1984 at 15 years of age.
Achievements
In Gary's long representative career the role he played in helping our Australian team take the bronze medal in the Intercontinental Cup in Spain in 1997 was highlighted by being named World All Star Team Catcher.
Gary faced the toughest challenge of his life in the 1998/99 Season when he was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer. Post the operation he would continue to play throughout the 4 weeks of Radiation treatment. An extraordinary feat as Gary finished the Season with the 2nd highest batting average in the league and was runner up in the MVP award.
Post Representation
In 2005 Gary retired as a player and in 2006-9 became the NSW Claxton Shield Assistant Coach. In 2009 he was selected in the NSW 75th Anniversary All-Star Team and inducted as a player in the Baseball Australia Hall of Fame. Gary continues his involvement in the sport as accredited level two coach.