Background
Gaines was born on December 23, 1897 in Alexandria, Virginia.
Gaines was born on December 23, 1897 in Alexandria, Virginia.
He attended the United States Naval Academy. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1921.
He served as an officer in the United States Navy and played as a Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher for the Washington Senators. He pitched for the Navy Midshipmen baseball team, lettering from 1919 through 1921. After graduating, he received a special leave from the Navy to pitch for the Washington Senators of Major League Baseball (MLB).
In his MLB debut, he relieved George Mogridge in a game against the New York Yankees, facing Bob Meusel, Wally Pipp, Aaron Ward and Wally Schang.
On July 2, he pitched 1 2⁄3 innings against the Philadelphia Athletics. He pitched another inning against the Athletics the next day.
His final appearance came on July 16 against the Cleveland Indians. In total, Gaines appeared in four games for the Senators between June 26 and July 16, 1921, pitching 4 2⁄3 innings while giving up five hits, two walks and no runs.
The Senators lost all four games he appeared in.
Gaines would remain the only Navy Midshipman to play in MLB for another 94 years, until Mitch Harris made his big league debut with the Saint Louis Cardinals in 2015. Gaines returned to the Navy after his brief stint in MLB. He served as an officer, reaching the rank of captain. During World World War II, Gaines served as United States. naval attaché, stationed in Peru.
Gaines died on January 26, 1979 in Warrenton, Virginia.