I thought about Bobby Gale in May when somebody told me he had died.

Apparently word traveled slowly — or folks weren’t sure what to do to remember Bobby. Either way, friends and family gathered earlier this month at the Taber Ranch (Capay) to celebrate the life of this 1970 Davis High graduate.

Fifty-eight is too young to die.

I met Bobby once, at a golf tournament. The ole’ professor Ralph Rago introduced us. Rago was his coach in high school. Ralph said I should get to know him. “He’d be a good story,” Rago promised.

I talked to Gale for less than five minutes. As I turned to do something else, I told Bobby — 20 years ago — “Let’s get together and chat about the old days …”

I never called him. I’m sorry, Bobby.

John Hughes, Gale’s longtime teammate, called Bobby “my batterymate for life.”

The two played Davis Little League, Babe Ruth, Blue Devil, American Legion and Sacramento City College baseball together. Gale caught. Hughes pitched.

“As a friend, there is so much to say about Bobby,” Hughes told me Monday. “He led by example, always. It was just his quiet presence (that) lifted everybody.”

Hughes’ father was killed in an auto accident when John was 16. The Gales became his second family. “Don was like another father to me.”

Where went Bobby Gale, so went John Hughes … and visa versa — until Gale went to San Diego State, was drafted by the Padres and played some minor league ball.

Hughes waded through post-Sacramento City College baseball and has emerged as a scout for the Florida Marlins. But to the end, he and Gale talked every week.

Phil Swimley, the former UC Davis baseball skipper, went to Gale’s remembrance. He said Hughes was tremendous in remembering the ex-Davis standout. Swimley said it was all very sad, but at the same time Hughes made his pal’s memory something uplifting.

There were Bobby Gale demons, but Swimley, Hughes and his friends all remembered the guy who once literally — and figuratively — went to bat for coach Rago.

Let Swimley tell the story …

“There was an incident (at the high school) where a parent made a big stink about her son’s playing time by going to the principal (at the time, Dick Mansfield). The principal reprimanded the coach (Rago).

“Bob took the initiative by organizing the team to meet with Mr. Mansfield in support of Ralph.

“Bob was a natural-born, quiet-type leader who was a fun guy to be around.”

Gale was a guy that Swimley wanted as an Aggie. But after Sacramento City, getting away to a place like San Diego was too much of a siren’s lure. Off he went.

Bobby’s late folks Don and Liz were dedicated to their sons (Mike and Jeff still live in Woodland) and Pop Gale’s construction company was quick to help with repairs at area ball fields — not to mention building what seems like half of Yolo County.

Swimley remembers Don’s business hiring Aggie players for summer jobs and being a gathering place for Bobby’s many friends.

After taking over Dad’s business for a time, Gale went into the carpentry world, sports and music never changing as his chosen passions. He left behind his ex-wife Debbie and former companion Debbie, in addition to his brothers and son, David – not to mention his many friends … and fans.

The more I learned about Bobby Gale, the more I wish I had made that phone call. Those old days with Bobby brought a lot of smiles to those around him. Sorry I wasn’t one of them.

While I Have You Here: My apologies to Felix Castillo, the brilliant Woodland High baseball coach. I’ve had the honor of sitting with Felix, talking kids and baseball, at the last two Post 77 American Legion baseball banquets. I’m impressed. However, in an article on Sunday (“Clark Field: This is Your Life”) I referred to him as Felix Trujillo.

The other Felix (Trujillo) was a guy I played 10 years of baseball with (from Little League to junior college). Honest mistake and if either Felix cares, sorry for the gaffe.

— Bruce Gallaudet is a staff writer for The Davis Enterprise. Reach him at [email protected] or (530) 747-8047

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