Gil McDougald of the Yankees: "I don't mind all those stories about the Yankees wanting to trade me. And I don't think my 1959 record had anything to do with those trade rumors. I've heard them practically every year since I became a Yankee, it seems. In a way, it's flattering that so many other clubs are interested in getting me. And even more flattering is the fact that the Yanks put so high a price on me that the other clubs backed off."
-Baseball Digest, March 1960
1959
April 18: Hit on knuckles against Red Sox, out awhile.
May 6: Hits two doubles in 7-4 victory over A's.
May 24: Gets three hits in 9-0 rout of Orioles.
June 4: Gets two home runs and single in 14-3 rout of Tigers.
June 5: Hits home run and double as Yanks down Indians, 11-2.
June 23: Hits two-run homer in 10-2 victory over A's.
June 26: Hits home run, double and single in 8-4 win over White Sox.
July 1: Hits home run in 4-0 victory over Orioles.
July 22: Comes down with virus, out a spell.
August 9: Beats A's, 4-3, with single in 14th.
September 11: Gets triple and two singles in 9-3 rout of Tigers.
Comment: "McDougald's second straight subpar year is a cause for worry. A solid three-position fielder and usually a big run-producer, he has been a Yankee mainstay."
-Joe Sheehan, Dell Sports Magazine Baseball, April 1960
"Last season was an 'off' year for popular Gil McDougald. Like Bill Skowron, Gil was physically below par in 1959. This spring he reported in good condition and determined to win back a regular infield job. His early work was convincing.
When right Gil is quite a ball player. He's played in seven World Series, is one of only six players ever to hit a grand slam homer in Series competition and the only rookie ever to accomplish the feat. He has played second, third and short for the Yankees in Series play; was also selected to all three positions on American League All-Star teams.
This is his tenth season as a Yankee and Gil hopes it will be one of his best."
-The New York Yankees Official 1960 Yearbook
Gilbert James McDougald (IF) #12
Born May 19, 1928 in San Francisco, California, resides in Tenafly, NJ. Height: 6-1, weight: 178. Bats right, throws right. Married and the father of two girls, Christine (11) and Denise (7), and two boys, Gil Jr. (10) and Ted (9).
-The New York Yankees Official 1960 Yearbook
"San Francisco has sent many stars to the Stadium- Ping Bodie, Tony Lazzeri, Frank Crosetti, Joe DiMaggio- but it's doubtful if any have been more valuable to the club than Gil McDougald.
The 32-year-old infielder, now in his tenth season with the Bombers, is the only player in major league history to have been named to the All-Star team at three different positions. Gil was selected as a second baseman in 1952 and 1958, as a shortstop in 1956 and 1957, and as a third baseman in 1959.
Gil had three seasons of minor league experience before coming up to the Yankees in 1951. He batted .336 or better in each of these seasons and hit the long ball with regularity.
The great Rogers Hornsby, who managed Gil at Beaumont of the Texas League in 1950, was one of his biggest supporters and felt that McDougland was a big leaguer. He was one of the few who felt that Gil's odd batting stance would hold up against big-time hurling.
McDougald batted .306 in his rookie year and drove in six runs in one inning on May 3 of that year to tie a major league mark.
In his nine years with New York, Gil has a lifetime average of .276 and has slugged out 104 homers, 171 doubles and 47 triples. His nine three-baggers in '57 were the American League high.
McDougald has played in seven World Series and collected 40 hits, including seven home runs, in the post season classic. He has also taken part in four All-Star Games. Gil's grand slammer in the '51 series is the only one ever hit by a rookie.
The McDougalds, Gil, his wife and four youngsters, are year-round residents of Tenafly, N.J."
-New York Yankees 1960 Yearbook (Jay Publishing Co.)
"In his tenth year as a Yankee, Gil McDougald again played in more than 100 games, though he had fewer at-bats than in any of his previous seasons. Gil was the real 'Handy Andy' of the infield, playing second, short and third, as well as pinch-hitting. This is his eighth season with the Yanks and he has played all three positions in World Series competition and also has been selected as an All-Star at short, second and third."
-1960 World Series Official Souvenir Program
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