Dennis Gilbert (baseball)

For the college professor, see Dennis Gilbert (professor).

Dennis Gilbert (born 1947) is a former sports agent and baseball executive. He is the co-founder of Beverly Hills Sports Council, a sports agency that has represented numerous professional baseball players.

Early career

Gilbert went to Gardena High School and L.A. City College.[1] Gilbert played professional baseball in the Red Sox and Mets minor league systems before entering the life insurance business at age 24.[2][3] When a friend of his who was a baseball agent died unexpectedly, Gilbert took over representation for some of his clients.[4]

Beverly Hills Sports Council

In 1984, Gilbert and fellow former minor-leaguer Rick Thurman founded Beverly Hills Sports Council; over the next few years it became one of the most powerful sports agencies in Major League Baseball.[5] Gilbert represented numerous star players that signed some of the most lucrative contracts in professional sports in the 1980s and 1990s, including Barry Bonds, Bobby Bonilla, Jose Canseco, George Brett, Bret Saberhagen and Danny Tartabull.[6] Gilbert sold his share of the agency to his partners in January 1999, retiring from the sports agent business at the age of 51.[7]

Chicago White Sox

In November 2000, Gilbert joined the Chicago White Sox as a special assistant to owner and chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.[8]

Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation

In 2002, Gilbert started the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation, a non-profit organization which raises money for ill or financially troubled scouts.[9][10]

Accolades

In 1998 he was inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.[11]

References

  1. ^ Maddaus, Gene (2011-11-02). "Dennis Gilbert, Top Dodger Suitor, Got Rich Selling Tax Avoidance Schemes To The Super-Wealthy". LA Weekly. Retrieved 2019-11-18.
  2. ^ Kevin Modesti (2011-06-05). "Many hope former agent Dennis Gilbert might someday buy the Dodgers". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved 2016-07-02.
  3. ^ "Dennis Gilbert Register Statistics & History". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 2016-07-02.
  4. ^ Zach Links (2014-01-01). "Dennis Gilbert Reflects On His Career As Top Agent". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved 2016-07-02.
  5. ^ Richard Pallarino (2014-11-20). "Interview With The Agent: Rick Thurman". Retrieved 2016-07-02.
  6. ^ Tom Verducci (1993-06-14). "Big Deals". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2016-07-02.
  7. ^ "Dennis Gilbert Reflects On His Career As Top Agent". MLB Trade Rumors. January 2014. Retrieved 2019-11-18.
  8. ^ "Former Agent Gilbert Joins White Sox". Associated Press News. 2000-11-28. Retrieved 2016-07-02.
  9. ^ Ross Newhan (2005-12-13). "Gilbert Ready to Step Up in Scouts' Honor". LA Times. Retrieved 2016-07-03.
  10. ^ "Rachel Robinson To Receive Pioneer Award". Culvercityobserver.com. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  11. ^ "Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Home".