Gabe Kapler, the former manager of the San Francisco Giants, is well-known for his baseball knowledge. His parents’ ideals helped form him into the guy he is today. Gabe is now making news after being fired as the Giants’ manager after four years. In this post, we’ll look at Gabe Kapler’s parents, Michael and Judy Kapler, and their impact on Gabe’s baseball career and beyond. Gabe Kapler “Kap” is a former Major League Baseball player and manager of the San Francisco Giants.
Gabe, a Moorpark College alumnus, was drafted in the 57th round of the 1995 Major League Baseball draft by the Detroit Tigers. He made his MLB debut with the Tigers in 1998. Similarly, he played in the big leagues for many teams from 1998 to 2010 before retiring. Gabe also played for the Yomiuri Giants of the Nippon Professional Baseball Central League in 2005. Gabe was named manager of the Philadelphia Phillies in October 2017. Likewise, he has been with the San Francisco Giants since November 2019.
While Kapler’s work life has received a lot of attention, there is also a lot of interest in his personal life. Michael and Judy Kapler gave birth to Kapler on July 31, 1975, in Hollywood, California. He grew raised in a family where intellectual debate and social activity were as valued as any sporting event.
Meet Gabe Kapler’s Father Michael Kapler
Michael Kapler, Gabe Kapler’s father, was not your normal baseball parent. He was a classical pianist who grew up in the busy streets of Brooklyn, New York. Michael was a composer and piano instructor in addition to being a pianist. Gabe’s creative background provided him with a unique view of life, fusing the worlds of athletics and art. Michael, who died in December 2020 from Parkinson’s and Lewy body dementia, had a predilection for writing poems for his kid. This literary tie strengthened the emotional bond between father and son, transcending sports and music.
Meet His Mother Judy Kapler
Gabe’s mother, Judy Kapler, is an early childhood educator who worked in a Jewish preschool. Her ancestors come from Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, where her upbringing shaped her strong devotion to social justice movements. Judy and Michael Kapler’s paths intertwined in the turbulent 1960s. They allegedly met while heavily involved in the antiwar movement. They were present at, and occasionally played crucial roles in, civil rights protests that influenced the decade.
Notably, they were among the quarter-million people in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963, when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made his famous “I Have a Dream” address. These events shaped the beliefs they would eventually instill in their son, Gabe.
Gabe Knelt During the Playing of the National Anthem
Gabe made waves in July 2020 when he opted to kneel during the national anthem before a baseball game. As a result, he became the first major North American professional sports head coach or manager to take a knee during the national anthem. His behaviors reflected the principles that his parents established in him. They have always advocated for nonviolent demonstrations and sticking up for what one believes in.
More than raising a professional athlete, this was exactly what Michael and Judy had hoped for. They desired that their children challenge authority and never mindlessly accept the usual.
“With Gabe deciding, he had an opportunity to make a difference,” Judy said of her son’s brave stand. That’s exactly what he accomplished, and I couldn’t be more proud of him.”
