Hal Gilson

Harold Gilson
(Lefty)

• Bats Right, Throws Left
• Height 6' 5", Weight 195 lb.
• High School Berkeley High School
• Debut April 14, 1968
• Final Game July 27, 1968
• Born February 9, 1942 in Los Angeles, CA USA
• Died June 20, 2022 in Scottsdale, AZ USA

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Biographical Information

Hal Gilson made his big league debut on April 14, 1968 with the St. Louis Cardinals against the Chicago Cubs; he had been traded by the Cubs to the Cards three years earlier. Ernie Banks was the first batter Gilson faced - Banks reached base on an error. Overall, Gilson allowed a hit and walked one in two innings in his big league debut, but did not give up a single run.

Interestingly, although Gilson finished with an unimpressive ERA (4.97 - especially unimpressive in 1968, when the league ERA was under 3.00), he started off his career not allowing a run in his first six appearances. His streak was blown when he allowed five runs in 2 1/3 innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 21st. On June 15th, he was traded to the Houston Astros along with Dick Simpson in return for Ron Davis. He played his final game on July 27th for the Astros against the San Francisco Giants.