Brent Gates

Brent Robert Gates (born March 14, 1970) is an American former Major League Baseball second and third baseman. He played for the Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, and Minnesota Twins between 1993 and 1999. Prior to playing professionally, Brent Gates played for the University of Minnesota where he was named the Big Ten Conference Baseball Player of the Year.

Amateur
Gates attended Grandville High School in Grandville, Michigan, and the University of Minnesota, where he played for the Minnesota Golden Gophers baseball team. In 1991, Gates was named the Big Ten Conference Baseball Player of the Year, and was a member of the College Baseball All-America Team. After the 1991 season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Hyannis Mets of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

Professional
Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the first round of the 1991 Major League Baseball Draft, Gates made his major league debut with Oakland on May 5, 1993, and appeared in his final game on October 3, 1999.

Coaching and scouting career
Gates was head coach of the Grand Rapids Christian High School baseball team, leading them to two State Championships. and was a coach for the Class-A West Michigan Whitecaps during the 2001 season. He was the varsity baseball coach at Byron Center High School in Byron Center, Michigan through the 2018 season. Gates is based in Grand Rapids and is a professional scout for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Personal life
Gates resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his wife, Tiffany Gates. Gates has five children, Taylor, Brent Jr., Madison, Jordyn and Brady. His son, Brent Jr., followed his lead and played hockey at the University of Minnesota before playing professionally after being drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the third round in 2015. His daughters Madison and Jordyn play collegiate volleyball together at Grand Valley State.