Gayle Bryant

A standout in high school, college and summer leagues, Gayle Bryant was known for a sharp-breaking curveball that led him into professional baseball.

At Wichita East, Bryant pitched the Aces to state championships in 1956 and 1957. He moved on to Wichita State (then Wichita University), where he pitched three seasons for the Shockers and studied engineering.

While at Wichita State, Bryant was an all-star in the highly competitive Wichita summer leagues. He pitched for the Boeing Bo-Jets from 1958-60, making the Wichita Eagle’s Municipal League all-star team in 1959, then was a Victory League all-star in 1960. During both of those seasons, he was named to the NBC’s all-league team.

In 1961, Bryant pitched for the Kansas champion Weller Indians. In the NBC state tournament, he won three games with an earned run average of 0.54. He was again named to the NBC all-league team.

The next summer, Bryant pitched professionally for the Class-C Fresno Giants of the California League. On a team that included future major leaguers Randy Hundley

and Hal Lanier, Bryant was 7-5 with a 4.38 ERA. He was second on the pitching staff with 40 appearances.

Instead of accepting a promotion the next summer, Bryant elected to retire from baseball and begin his career as an engineer. He has since lived in Pryor, Oklahoma.