Gene Woodling

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Gene Woodling (1961)

Eugene Richard (Gene) 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 right-handed, threw left-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, 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 got each averaged 400 at bats a season. Woodling hit a solo home run in each World Series from 1951 through 1953, and In 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.

On November 17, 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.

Soon, Woodling moved to the Indians where 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 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 1962 season. He was released before the 1963 season.

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.

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.