Gene Green

Gene Leroy Green

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2½", Weight 205 lb.

• Debut September 10, 1957
• Final Game September 29, 1963
• Born June 26, 1933 in Los Angeles, CA USA
• Died May 23, 1981 in St. Louis, MO USA

BR page

Biographical Information

"If baseball ever adopted the two platoon system, I'd get $50,000 - 25 for hitting, and 25 for sitting." - Gene Green

Gene Green played seven years in the major leagues, half as an outfielder and half as a catcher. He was also used frequently as a pinch-hitter, hitting a pinch-hit grand slam in August 1961. At his best, he hit around .280 with some power. He had 13 home runs in 137 games in 1958, 18 home runs in 110 games in 1961, and 11 home runs in 66 games in 1962.

Green was signed as a free agent in 1952 by the St. Louis Cardinals. He made it to the majors with them in 1957, and was with them for three years. He was then traded by the Cardinals to the Baltimore Orioles and then drafted by the Washington Senators in the expansion draft. He led the regulars in 1961 in home runs, batting average and slugging percentage. In spite of that, he was traded to the Cleveland Indians after the season for Jim Piersall.

He did well in 1962 with the Indians, but when he slumped in 1963, he was traded in August to the Cincinnati Reds, where he finished out his major league career.

He died at age 47.