Wes Gardner, an American Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox, died on June 10, 2026, at 65.
Born Wesley Brian Gardner on April 29, 1961, in Benton, he was drafted by the Mets in the 22nd round of the 1982 Major League Baseball draft after pitching at the University of Central Arkansas. Gardner reached the majors with New York on July 29, 1984, and worked in 30 games for the club over the 1984 and 1985 seasons.
He was traded to Boston in November 1985 and became the Red Sox’s closer in 1987, finishing the season with a team-leading 10 saves.