Gene Woodling

Infobox MLB retired
name=Gene Woodling


position=Outfielder
bats=Left
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date|1922|8|16
Akron, Ohio
deathdate=death date and age|2001|6|2|1922|8|16
Barberton, Ohio
debutdate=September 23
debutyear=by|1943
debutteam=Cleveland Indians
finaldate=September 15
finalyear=by|1962
finalteam=New York Mets
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.284
stat2label=Home runs
stat2value=147
stat3label=Runs batted in
stat3value=830
teams=
* Cleveland Indians (by|1943, by|1946, by|1955-by|1957)
* Pittsburgh Pirates (by|1947)
* New York Yankees (by|1949-by|1954)
* Baltimore Orioles (by|1955, by|1958-by|1960)
* Washington Senators (by|1961-by|1962)
* New York Mets (by|1962)
highlights=
* All-Star selection (1959)
* 5x World Series champion (1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953)

Eugene Richard Woodling (August 16 1922 - June 2 2001) was a Major League Baseball outfielder (mostly left field) for the Cleveland Indians (1943, 1946), Pittsburgh Pirates (1947), New York Yankees (1949-1954), Baltimore Orioles (1955, 1958-1960), Cleveland Indians (1955-1957), Washington Senators (1961-1962), and the New York Mets in their expansion year of 1962. He batted left-handed, threw right-handed, and was born in Akron, Ohio.

Before coming to the majors, Woodling was a four-time Minor League batting champion. He mostly played left field when he entered the majors after his time in the U.S. Navy, but spent much time in right field and also played 93 games in center.

Woodling played with many teams on his career, but gained more loyalty with the Yankees for six years, than at any point before or after. With them, Woodling had what was probably his best year, by|1953. Although he only had 395 at bats, he led the American League with a .429 on-base percentage. While Woodling was with the Yankees, the team won five consecutive World Series (1949-1953). During that time, Yankee manager Casey Stengel praised the outfielder's ability to run and throw. Stengel generally platooned him with right-hander Hank Bauer, but each averaged 400 at bats a season. Woodling hit a solo home run in each World Series from 1951 through 1953, and In by|1951, he helped Allie Reynolds secure his first of two no hitters on the season, when he homered in a 1-0 win over Bob Feller and the Indians. Woodling gained he distinction in 1952 of becoming the first player to hit a "pinch-hit" triple in the World Series Game 1).Fact|date=June 2007

On November 17, by|1954, an amazing record 17-player deal took place between the Orioles and Yankees, involving Woodling. Besides Woodling, the Yankees didn't give up much talent, with the best of the lot being Gus Triandos and Hal Smith. However, the Orioles gave away future 20-game winner Bob Turley and superstar Don Larsen, who would go on to pitch a perfect game in the 1956 World Series for New York. Woodling had been sidelined for the last part of the 1954 season with a broken arm.Fact|date=June 2007

Soon, Woodling moved to the Indians where he set career-highs in home runs (19), runs batted in (78), and batting (.321) in by|1957. A few months before he turned 40, he was sent to the New York Mets where old Yankees manager Casey Stengel was working on his latest project, the newborn Mets. Woodling would be managed by Stengel for the remainder of the by|1962 season. He was released before the by|1963 season, after publicly criticizing the Met front office's contract negotiations with Marv Throneberry.Fact|date=June 2007

In a 17-season career, Woodling batted a solid .284 with 147 home runs and 830 RBI in 1796 games. Woodling ended with a .386 on-base percentage. He had 1585 career hits in 5587 at bats. When his former "platoon mate" Bauer became manager of the Orioles, Woodling served as his first-base coach between 1964 and 1967.

Woodling died in Barberton, Ohio. His biggest contribution to baseball may have come off the field. He worked to help bring a pension fund for major league players.

"He was just such a great guy," said former Yankees manager Ralph Houk in an article in the "New York Daily News".

ee also

*List of top 500 Major League Baseball home run hitters

External links

*baseball-reference|id=w/woodlge01