Gat Stires

Garrett C. Stires

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 8", Weight 180 lb.
• Debut May 6, 1871
• Final Game September 15, 1871
• Born October 13, 1849 in Hunterdon County, NJ USA
• Died June 13, 1933 in Oregon, IL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Gat Stires was the right fielder for the 1871 Rockford Forest Citys. Although he was an above-average player and only 21 years old, it was his only season in the majors. He did come back to umpire one National Association game in 1875.

Stires was a slugger without speed who was called the Babe Ruth of early baseball. Gat played amateur ball beginning in 1866. He wanted to retire after the 1870 season but was induced to play in 1871 in the new National Association. After that he retired from baseball and became a successful gold miner out West. He then was a prosperous farmer and rancher, and served as a marshal later in life.

Related Sites

• Gat Stires at the SABR Bio Project
• BR Minors page