The longest tenured member of the RailCats staff, Gary native Joe Gates has been a member of every coaching staff since the opening of U. S. Steel Yard in 2003.

A 1973 graduate of Gary Roosevelt High School, Gates played for the Chicago White Sox from 1978-79 and spent ten years in the minor leagues, winning the Southern League (AA) batting title in 1978 for Knoxville.  Gates also serves as the Head Baseball Coach and Volleyball Coach at Gary Wirt High School.  The 2009 season was Gates’ 28th leading the baseball program.