Gardner led the International League in saves at Tidewater in 1984 and 1985, but couldn’t earn a spot on the Mets’ pitching staff and was dealt to Boston with Calvin Schiraldi for Bob Ojeda. He pitched only one inning in 1986 before tearing cartilage in his right shoulder, but his 10 saves in 1987 led the Red Sox. It was the highlight of an otherwise unremarkable career. After three more seasons as a Boston swingman, he faded from the big-league scene.
