Howard Gersbherg

Induction Year: 2024

Location: East Islip

Category: Baseball and Coaching

Howie’s wife Theresa, and son-in-law accept the honor on his behalf.

Howie Gershberg is a Suffolk County baseball coaching legend and a long-time major league baseball pitching coach who spent 12 years as the pitching coach at St. John’s University.

His coaching began at East Islip High School, where he compiled a 111-35 record and won four league championships and one county championship.

Gershberg was the pitching coach at St. John’s from 1974-86 and guided the program to 10 postseason tournament appearances, including two in the College World Series. During that time, the St. John’s pitching staff finished in the top three in the nation in earned run average three times, and two pitchers won the national ERA title.

In addition, 11 of his pitchers signed professional contracts, with three reaching the major leagues. His two most successful major league pitchers were Frank Viola, who won a World Series title and a Cy Young with the Minnesota Twins, and John Franco, who pitched with the Cincinnati Reds and the New York Mets and is the all-time major league leader in saves by a left-handed pitcher.

Following his tenure at St. John’s, Gershberg moved on to pro ball, spending nearly two decades with the Anaheim Angels organization at various levels.

He helped develop Anaheim pitchers Troy Percival, Jarrod Washburn, John Lackey, Francisco Rodriguez, and former Angels star Chuck Finley.