GHS alumnus Tate Wargo signed by Gateway Grizzlies
Gillespie High School alumnus Tate Wargo has been having a breakout season for the Gateway Grizzlies in his return to playing baseball. He had 15 hits in his first 31 at-bats (.484 avg.), then delivered a walkoff single for the Grizzlies a week later. Wargo is currently batting .322 in 28 games with nine RBI, nine runs scored, three stolen bases and a perfect fielding percentage as of July 22. Photo contributed.
By JACKSON WILSON
Enquirer Democrat Reporter
While coaching the Gillespie High School baseball team, Miners’ assistant Tate Wargo felt a fire being re-kindled in terms of returning to the diamond as a player at a high level.
Wargo rose to the challenge and wrote a comeback story for the ages.
“Staying around the game assisted in the passion,” Wargo said. “I knew it would be tough but I thought it’d be worth it while my body felt good. This game gives me a lot of enjoyment and it’s a feeling that’s hard to find.”
On June 12, Wargo was making his professional debut with the Gateway Grizzlies. Wargo earned the opportunity by compiling a .412 batting average with four RBI over 16 games while playing for Alberta in the California Winter League. As he had already done several times in his playing career, Wargo led his team to a championship. He was ranked as the fifth overall prospect in the entire CWL.
When Wargo first stepped to the plate for the Grizzlies in Sauget, he received the loudest ovation from a large group of family, friends and fans that congregated to witness his home debut.
“I received and have been receiving so much support that means a lot to me,” said Wargo.
One week later, Wargo impressed again by delivering a walk-off single against a tough pitcher to help the Grizzlies beat the Washington Wild Things, 2-1, in an 11-frame sudden death nailbiter. After taking a strike on a tricky slider, the scrappy right-handed 5’8” 165-pound swinger Wargo poked that same pitch to the opposite field past a diving first baseman prior to getting mobbed by his rejoicing teammates.
Wargo, a native of Benld and graduate of Gillespie High School, played baseball, football and basketball for the Miners growing up. Although he also enjoys other recreational activities such as ping pong, pickleball, sand volleyball, spikeball and golf, baseball has always been Wargo’s first love.
Wargo also comes from a baseball-oriented family. His father, Tim, hit .331 with 99 runs and 43 stolen bases as a star college athlete at SIUE (Edwardsville) after graduating from GHS in 1985. Tate is the middle child of three sons that have all furthered the legacy. His younger brother, Tristen, just graduated this summer and will be taking his talents to Lincoln Land Community College after Tate helped coach him the past two years, in which the Miners went 56-10 with an undefeated 2023 regular season, South Central Conference title, regional championship and sectional semifinal win.
While Wargo is unsure how much longer he will be playing, he has no intentions of leaving the game even after retiring his uniform for good.
Wargo recently earned his teaching license in physical education and would love to continue coaching.
“Goals for myself include enjoying the game, continuing to improve as a baseball player and person and seeing what happens,” Wargo said. “I want to help my team find success anyway that I can and win a championship.”
For the full story and more photos, see the July 25th edition of the Macoupin County Enquirer~Democrat!
