He subsequently returned to his home state of Nevada and worked for a local county park and as a high school coach.

[2][5] He posted batting averages of .479 and .420 during his junior and senior years, respectively,[6] which caught the attention of scouts and led to him being offered a baseball scholarship by the University of the Pacific.

[1][2] In June 1966, he signed with the Dodgers and received a bonus that was reported as the second highest paid to that date to a baseball prospect from Nevada.

[8] On defense, he showed a talent for turning the double play (50 in 1968, 56 in 1969),[7] but led the Florida State League's shortstops with 76 errors in 1968.

[9] He made his MLB debut for the franchise on September 7, 1972, at the age of 24,[1] entering as a pinch hitter and popping out in foul territory during his only plate appearance in a 9–0 loss against the Baltimore Orioles.

[1] Although manager Billy Martin reportedly wanted Gamble to replace the injured Ed Brinkman for the 1972 postseason, he was not added to the playoff roster.

At the time, manager Billy Martin complained about the lack of speed on the Tigers roster and noted: "[W]e definitely need some good baserunning.

[2][14] He played in six more games – all as a pinch runner[14] – before being sent back down to the minor leagues at the end of May and undergoing season-ending knee surgery shortly thereafter.

[16] In 1975, he compiled a .288 batting average and stole 13 bases while leading Evansville to a pennant and the Junior World Series.