Baseball career

Gallego was the A's starting second baseman during their three-year run of A.L. Championships from 1988 through 1990, which included a World Series sweep in 1989 against their Bay Area rivals, the San Francisco Giants. Throughout his career, he was known more for his glove than his bat. In 1990, he led the AL in sacrifice hits with 17. He had 28 hits without an extra-base hit in 1995, still the post-1912 non-pitcher record. Gallego's 12 home runs in 1991 set a career high.

While playing with the Yankees from 1992 to 1994, Gallego was the last player to wear the uniform number 2 prior to the Yankees' former All-Star shortstop, Derek Jeter.

Gallego closed out his career with the Cardinals in 1996 and 1997, where he once again played under Tony La Russa, his manager while with the A's.

Before playing professionally, he attended the University of California, Los Angeles (1978-81, history major), and graduated from St. Paul High School.

Gallego was named the Colorado Rockies third base and infield coach in December 2004 to October 7, 2008. He was hired as the A's third base coach and infield instructor during the 2008 offseason. He was dismissed on August 24, 2015.

On November 25, 2015, Gallego was announced as director of baseball development for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Personal

Gallego and his wife Caryn have three children, Joe, Niko and Ali. His son Niko also played for UCLA baseball and was signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 2010. Niko helped the Bruins to the Championship Series of the 2010 College World Series where they lost to South Carolina for the National Championship. Following his graduation from UCLA, Niko began playing for the Visalia Rawhide of the California League.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]