Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Gabe Kapler

Discover the career path of Gabe Kapler, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Gabe Kapler is an American former professional baseball outfielder and manager. Currently, he serves as the assistant general manager for the Miami Marlins in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was nicknamed "Kap". His baseball career transitioned from player to manager, and now to a front office role.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1995: Drafted by Detroit Tigers

In 1995, Gabe Kapler was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the Major League Baseball draft, being the 57th-round pick.

1998: Began playing in the Major Leagues

In 1998, Gabe Kapler began playing in the major leagues for the Detroit Tigers.

1998: Major League Debut

In 1998, at the age of 22, Gabe Kapler made his Major League debut with the Detroit Tigers.

November 1999: Traded to the Texas Rangers

In November 1999, Gabe Kapler was traded by the Detroit Tigers to the Texas Rangers along with multiple players for Juan González, Danny Patterson, and Gregg Zaun.

2000: Success with the Texas Rangers

In 2000, Gabe Kapler had a successful season with the Texas Rangers, including hitting two home runs on Opening Day, having a team-record 28-game hitting streak, and being named the American League's Player of the Week on July 30. He batted .302 with 14 home runs and 66 RBIs.

2001: Performance for the Texas Rangers

In 2001, Gabe Kapler hit 17 home runs, stole 23 bases and batted .267/.348/.437 for the Texas Rangers. He also had a .997 fielding percentage.

July 2002: Traded to Colorado Rockies

In July 2002, Gabe Kapler was traded by the Texas Rangers to the Colorado Rockies for Dennys Reyes and Todd Hollandsworth.

June 28, 2003: Acquired by the Boston Red Sox

On June 28, 2003, Gabe Kapler was acquired by the Boston Red Sox from the Colorado Rockies. He batted .292/.349/.449 for the Red Sox, in 158 at bats.

2004: Played Career-High Games

In 2004, Gabe Kapler played a career-high 136 games for the Boston Red Sox, batting .272. He also drove in the game-winning run on Patriots' Day.

2004: Won the World Series with the Red Sox

In 2004, Gabe Kapler was on the field in Game 4 of the World Series when the Boston Red Sox won their first title in 86 years.

2004: Departure to play for Yomiuri Giants

Less than one month after the Red Sox won the 2004 World Series, Gabe Kapler left to play for Japan's Yomiuri Giants for a $2 million deal and a $700,000 signing bonus.

July 2005: Re-signed by the Red Sox

In July 2005, Gabe Kapler was re-signed by the Boston Red Sox, just hours after clearing Japanese Central League waivers.

2005: Played for Yomiuri Giants

In 2005, Gabe Kapler played for the Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball's Central League.

September 20, 2007: Kapler announced his desire to return to MLB

On September 20, 2007, after a season managing, Gabe Kapler announced he wanted to return to playing Major League Baseball.

2007: Managed Greenville Drive

In 2007, Gabe Kapler briefly retired as a player and spent the year managing the Greenville Drive, a Single-A affiliate of the Red Sox.

October 30, 2008: Filed for Free Agency

On October 30, 2008, Gabe Kapler filed for free agency.

2008: Home Run Record and Comeback Player of the Year

In 2008, Gabe Kapler passed Art Shamsky and Lou Boudreau for 9th on the all-time list for home runs by Jewish major leaguers with his 69th career home run. Kapler was also the unanimous winner of the 2008 Jewish Comeback Player of the Year award.

2008: Signed with the Milwaukee Brewers

In 2008, Gabe Kapler signed a one-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.

January 12, 2009: Signed with Tampa Bay Rays

On January 12, 2009, Gabe Kapler signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays for $1,000,018, with the extra $18 symbolizing "life" in Judaism.

July 23, 2009: Near Perfect Game Interruption

On July 23, 2009, Gabe Kapler, leading off the ninth inning against the White Sox, almost broke up Mark Buehrle's perfect game but was robbed of a home run by a leaping DeWayne Wise, a ninth-inning defensive replacement.

October 27, 2009: Re-signed by the Rays

On October 27, 2009, Gabe Kapler was re-signed by the Tampa Bay Rays to a one-year contract for $1.05 million. During 2008-2009, Kapler hit .304 against left-handers with a .577 slugging percentage, ranking 9th in the Major Leagues.

2010: Final Year in Major Leagues

2010 marked the last year Gabe Kapler played in the major leagues.

January 18, 2011: Signed Minor League Contract with Dodgers

On January 18, 2011, Gabe Kapler signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers and received an invitation to spring training.

September 2012: Coached for Israeli National Baseball Team

In September 2012, Gabe Kapler coached for the Israeli national baseball team in the 2013 World Baseball Classic qualifier.

August 17, 2013: Analyst for Fox Sports 1 Debut

On August 17, 2013, Gabe Kapler became an analyst for Fox Sports 1 cable network's debut, frequently appearing on Fox Sports Live.

2013: Coached for the Israeli National Baseball Team

In 2013, Gabe Kapler served as a coach for the Israeli national baseball team in the World Baseball Classic.

March 2014: Appeared on MLB Whiparound

In March 2014, Gabe Kapler appeared on MLB Whiparound from the program's inception and had two segments including, "Saberclips" and "In the Cage."

November 7, 2014: Dodgers' Director of Player Development

On November 7, 2014, Gabe Kapler became the Dodgers' director of player development, implementing changes such as serving organic food and removing junk food from the clubhouse.

2014: Director of Player Development for the Dodgers

In 2014, Gabe Kapler became the Director of Player Development for the Dodgers.

October 30, 2017: Hired as Philadelphia Phillies Manager

On October 30, 2017, Gabe Kapler was hired as the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, becoming the 54th in team history.

2017: Director of Player Development for the Dodgers

In 2017, Gabe Kapler was the Director of Player Development for the Dodgers.

2018: Eighth Jewish Manager in MLB History

In 2018, Gabe Kapler became the eighth Jewish manager in MLB history, joining Bob Melvin, Brad Ausmus, Jeff Newman, Norm Sherry, Andy Cohen, and Lipman Pike.

2018: Managed Philadelphia Phillies

In 2018, Gabe Kapler became the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies.

2018: Career Stolen Bases and Doubles Ranking

Through 2018, Gabe Kapler was 5th all-time in career stolen bases and 9th all-time in career doubles among Jewish major league baseball players.

November 2019: Hired as San Francisco Giants Manager

In November 2019, Gabe Kapler was hired as the 39th manager of the San Francisco Giants, succeeding Bruce Bochy.

2019: Managed Philadelphia Phillies

In 2019, Gabe Kapler was the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies.

2020: Manager of the San Francisco Giants

In 2020, Gabe Kapler became the manager of the San Francisco Giants.

April 2021: Won 200th game as manager

In April 2021, Gabe Kapler won his 200th game as a manager, becoming the first MLB manager with a 200–200 win–loss record over his first 400 games.

2021: Named National League Manager of the Year

In 2021, Gabe Kapler was named the National League Manager of the Year and led the San Francisco Giants to a franchise-record 107 wins and the NL West title.