His brief playing career over, Jim Gabella turned to a new career by 1985, coaching in college, at Broward Community, The Fort Lauderdale News wrote that August.
But he still had the same aspirations he had as a player, he told The News - the majors.
"My goal has always ben to get to the big leagues," Gabella told The News, before turning his thoughts to the task then, "but there is still a lot more I want to accomplish at BCC."
Gabella soon made it back to the pros from college, as a coach and manager. Though he continued a long career there, he missed the bigs.
Gabella's career in baseball began in 1976, taken by the White Sox in the 10th round of the draft out of Deerfield Beach High School in Florida.
He started with the White Sox in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He hit .137 in 29 games. He isn't recorded as playing in 1977, but returned with the Mariners at short-season Bellingham in 1978 and single-A Alexandria in 1979. He saw his final playing time in 1980 at single-A Rocky Mount.
By 1984, he was at Broward College as coach. He's then credited as turning scout with the Brewers by 1986. For 1989, he moved to the Indians as manager at rookie Burlington.
In July 1989, he spoke to The San Angelo Standard-Times about a San Angelo-area player on his team, Anthony DeLa Cruz, relaying he was doing well and noting he believed DeLa Cruz' age, 21, and experience had little bearing.
"He still has to go out and throw strikes and get people out," Gabella told The Standard Times. "Once you get to this level, I don't think age means a lot. He still has to go out and make his pitches and get people out."
Gabella managed at short-season Watertown for 1990 and 1991. He's also credited as serving as hitting coach in 1991 at AAA Colorado Springs.
For 1995, Gabella joined the Expos as manager at short-season Vermont.
"We're going to try to be aggressive - steal bases, hit and run, suicide squeeze - it makes the game more exciting for the fans," Gabella told The Rutland Daily Herald upon starting at Vermont.
By 1997, he was back with the Indians as a scout, which he continued through 2003. He moved to the Royals for 200r as manager at single-A Burlington. He continued with the Royals through 2010. Gabella is last credited as manager at short-season Eugene in 2013.
- Fort Lauderdale News, Aug. 21, 1985: BCC coach smiles despite bad break
- San Angelo Standard-Times, July 19, 1989: Former CHS hurler finds pro success
- Rutland Daily Herald, May 18, 1995: Gabella to Bring Expertise, Aggressive Play to Expos
Made the Majors:1,385-32.8%
Never Made Majors:2,841-67.2%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:562
10+ Seasons in the Minors:345
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