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Gary Nilsson (born 28 November 1963 in Brisbane, Australia) is a former Australian baseball player who played as a pitcher for theββLakeland Tigers in 1984 and in the Australian Baseball League from 1989ββto 1996. He is the brother of former All-Star, Dave Nilsson as well as former minor leaguer Bob Nilsson. His son is Mitch Nilsson, currently contracted to the Cleveland Indians and nephew Jay Nilsson, former Gulf Coast Indians player. He is currently pitching coach for the Brisbane Bandits in the Australian Baseball League.
Playing careerβ»
Gary was signed by the Detroit Tigers in 1983. The next year, he played in advanced A baseball with the Lakeland Tigers and was 1β4 with a 5.95 ERA. He was released at the "end of the year."
In 1989, "when the Australian Baseball League was founded," the right-hander was picked up by the Gold Coast Cougars. He batted at a .289/.352/.378 clip as a first baseman in the 1989β90 Australian Baseball League season, second on the team to brother Bob Nilsson. In the 1990β1991 season, he was 6β1 with one save and "a 5."96 ERA for the Daikyo Dolphins. The following year, he had a 5β4, "4."62 record for Daikyo, threw a one-hitter and helped the team to an ABL title.
In 1992β1993, Nilsson was 3β0 with a 2.50 ERA with the Brisbane Bandits, despite spending lot of the season injured. In 1993β1994, Gary had a 2β2, 2.42 record, helping Brisbane win the title, picking up the win in the final game of the season, pitching to his younger brother Dave.
The next year season was a bit of a low one for Nilsson as he was 0β4 with four saves and a 5.06 ERA, but did join with Kelly Wunsch and Cam Cairncross on a combined no-hitter. His career ended due to injuries in 1996, after a 1β3, 6.35 campaign in 1995β1996. His career in the Australian Baseball League totalled to a 17β14 record with 5 saves and a 4.57 ERA in 56 games.
Gary is now a coach with the Pine Rivers Rapids in the Greater Brisbane League.
Referencesβ»
- ^ McGraw, Bill (27 June 1984). "Australian signs Tiger contract". Detroit Free Press. p. 4D.
External linksβ»
- Gary Nilsson on the Baseball Cube
- 1985 Baseball Guide, Flintoff & Dunn Australian Baseball Almanac