Gene Woodling

Gene Woodling
Outfielder
Born:(1922-08-16)August 16, 1922 Akron, Ohio,U.S.
Died:June 2, 2001(2001-06-02)(aged 78) Wadsworth, Ohio,U.S.
Batted:Left Threw:Right
MLB debut
September 23, 1943, for the Cleveland Indians
Last MLB appearance
September 15, 1962, for the New York Mets
MLB statistics
Batting average	.284
Home runs	147
Runs batted in	830
Teams
Cleveland Indians(1943,1946) Pittsburgh Pirates(1947) New York Yankees(1949–1954) Baltimore Orioles(1955) Cleveland Indians(1955–1957) Baltimore Orioles(1958–1960) Washington Senators(1961–1962) New York Mets(1962)
Career highlights and awards
All-Star(1959²) 6×World Serieschampion (1949–1953,1966) Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame

Eugene Richard Woodling(August 16, 1922 – June 2, 2001) was an American professionalbaseballplayer,coachandscout.He played inMajor League Baseballas anoutfielderbetween1943and1962,most prominently as a member of theNew York Yankeesdynasty that won five consecutiveWorld Serieschampionships between 1949 and 1953.

Woodling was a left-handed batter known as aline drivehitter who hit over.300 five times during his 17-year career and, had a.318 batting average during his five World Series appearances.He excelled defensively, leading American League outfielders in fielding or tied for the lead four times, and never made more than three errors in a season during his tenure with the Yankees.Woodling also played for theCleveland Indians,Pittsburgh Pirates,Baltimore Orioles,Washington Senators,and theNew York Metsin their expansion year of 1962. His baseball career was interrupted by his military service in the United States Navy during the Second World War.After his playing career, he served several major league teams as a coach and a scout.

Playing career

Early career

Woodling was born inAkron, Ohiowhere his father worked in a rubber factory.Hisprofessional baseballcareer began in 1940 in the Indians' organization. He missed the 1944 and 1945 seasons while serving in theUnited States Navyin thePacific.Before coming to the majors for good in 1949, Woodling was a four-timeminor leaguebatting averagechampion. He mostly played left field (1,208 games) when he entered the majors, but appeared in 325 contests inright fieldand played 93 games incenter.

Yankees career

Woodling played with six teams during his career, the longest term of service being with the Yankees for six years and 698 of the 1,763games playedof his MLB career. With them, Woodling had what was probably his best year, 1953. Although he only had 395at bats,he led theAmerican Leaguewith a.429on-base percentage.While Woodling was with the Yankees, the team won five consecutiveWorld Series(1949–53). During that time, YankeemanagerCasey Stengelpraised the outfielder's ability to run and throw. Stengel generallyplatoonedhim with right-handerHank Bauer,but each averaged 400at batsper season. Woodling hit a solohome runin each World Series from 1951 through 1953, and, in 1951, helpedAllie Reynoldssecure his first of twono-hitterson the season, when he homered in a 1–0 win overBob Fellerand the Indians. In 1952, Woodling became the first player to pinch-hit a triple in the World Series. On November 17, 1954, a record 17-player deal took place between the Orioles and Yankees, involving Woodling, future 20-game winnerBob TurleyandDon Larsen,who would go on to pitch aperfect gamein the1956 World Seriesfor New York. Woodling had been sidelined for the last part of the 1954 season with a broken arm.

Orioles career

Woodling led the1959 Baltimore Orioles seasonwith a.300 batting average and received the Orioles Most Valuable Player.

Woodling was inducted into theBaltimore Orioles Hall of Famein 1992.

Later career

Woodling returned to theIndiansalong withBilly Coxfrom theOriolesforDave Pope,Wally Westlakeand cash before the trade deadline on June 15, 1955.He set career-highs in home runs (19),runs batted in(78), and batting (.321) in 1957. A few months before he turned 40, he was sent to theNew York Mets,where old Yankees managerCasey Stengelwas working on his latest project, the newborn Mets. Woodling would be managed by Stengel for the remainder of the 1962 season. He was released before the 1963 season, after publicly criticizing the front office's contract negotiations withMarv Throneberry.

Overview

In his 17-season career, Woodlingbatted.284 with 147 home runs and 830 RBI in 1,796 games. Woodling ended with a.386 on-base percentage and 1,585 careerhitsin 5,587 at bats. He hit.300 or better five times. In five World Series, Woodling hit.318 (27-85). As an outfielder, he recorded a.989fielding percentage.

Post-playing days

Woodling was appointed on November 20, 1963, as the Orioles'first-base coachby former Yankees teammateHank Bauer,who had become the team's manager one day earlier.He remained in that capacity through the1966 World SeriesChampionship season and up until the announcement on September 28, 1967, that he would not be retained for the 1968 season.He was also a scout for the Yankees and the Indians.Woodling died at the age of 78 in a nursing home inWadsworth, Ohioon June 2, 2001.

Sources

• Woodling, Gene; Smith, Robert (1967).Gene Woodling's Secrets of Batting.G.P. Putnam's Sons.

External links

• Career statistics and player information fromBaseball Reference,orBaseball Reference (Minors)
• Gene WoodlingatFind a Grave
• Gene Woodling Oral History Interview (1 of 3) - National Baseball Hall of Fame Digital Collection
• Gene Woodling Oral History Interview (2 of 3) - National Baseball Hall of Fame Digital Collection
• Gene Woodling Oral History Interview (3 of 3) - National Baseball Hall of Fame Digital Collection