The Italian / American Coach Attacked on the Field: Tom Gamboa

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Thomas Harold Gamboa was born February 28, 1948 in Los Angeles, California. He was a minor league manager beginning in 1979, then again in the 1980;s getting as high as AA ball.


In 1998 & 1999 he was the Chicago Cubs third base coach returning to manage at the AAA level in 2000. In 2001 he became the Kansas City Royals first base coach & would remain there for three seasons. Then on September 19th at Comiskey Park in Chicago in a game against the White Sox, Gamboa was involved in a very strange incident.

It was one of the uglier moments in baseballs modern day. Gamboa was coaching in the box at first base when he was attacked from behind by two drunken fans. The father & son tackled the coach landing a few punches to his head until players & security were able to pull them off.

Gamboa suffered injuries both physical & mental. He recovered & is working for the San Diegos Padres as a minor league instructor these days.

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