Stu Tate

Stuart Douglas Tate

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 205 lb.
• School Columbia State Community College, John C. Calhoun Community College, Auburn University
• High School Hazel Green High School
• Debut September 20, 1989
• Final Game September 30, 1989
• Born June 17, 1962 in Huntsville, AL USA

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Biographical information

After being drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 8th round of the June phase of the 1984 Amateur Draft, Stu Tate moved up through the Giants chain and made his Major League debut during the Giants' pennant chase in 1989. Roger Craig called upon him in the 3rd inning on September 20th in Candlestick Park after reliever Randy McCament had allowed a three-run double to Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher John Wetteland to take the score to 7-0; McCament and starter Bob Knepper had combined for 2 1/3 innings during which they coughed up 9 hits, 2 walks, and the 7 runs (all earned). Anxious for the Giants to turn it around against their arch rivals - especially while vying for a playoff spot - the Candlestick crowd began yelling "STU!" during Tate's warmup tosses on the mound and erupted in cheers as Alfredo Griffin swung and missed the first pitch he threw in the big leagues, a fastball right down the middle. He struck out Griffin as the crowd continued to call out his name throughout the at bat, allowed Wetteland to advance to third on a wild pitch, but induced a flyout to Willie Randolph which Brett Butler ran down just shy of the warning track. Cool and collected on the mound, Tate shut down the Dodgers over the next two innings (three more flyouts and three more strikeouts) before being lifted for a pinch hitter when his turn at bat came up in the bottom of the 5th. As Donell Nixon was announced as the substitute, the crowd began booing, as they had really taken to Tate. As the first pitch was being delivered, the crowd began chanting: "We want Stu!" We want Stu!" which elicited smiles from Tate and from Will Clark who was seated beside him in the dugout. Ernie Camacho and Trevor Wilson continued to stymie the arch rival Dodgers the rest of the game, allowing no baserunners, while Jay Howell, Mike Hartley, and John Tudor allowed the Giants to come all the way back and win, 8-7, in the bottom of the 9th. Tate didn't figure in the decision, but his Major League debut was memorable nonetheless. Oh by the way, it was also his wedding anniversary.

Tate pitched only once more that season, on September 30th in Jack Murphy Stadium against the San Diego Padres. He faced only four batters, allowing 3 singles and a fielder's choice (on which no outs were recorded owing to a throwing error by second baseman Ernest Riles). He never pitched in the Majors again, didn't pitch at all in 1990, and wrapped up his professional career in 1991 with 8 relief appearances for the AAA Phoenix Firebirds in the Giants system.

He has five children (3 girls, 2 boys) with his wife Kristin. As of 1992, he was working as a pharmacist.