Gene Woodling – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Gene Woodling wrapped up his impressive 17-year Major League Baseball career in 1962, finishing his playing days with the New York Mets at almost 40 years old.

He grew up in Akron, Ohio, and earned a reputation as one of baseball’s most clutch performers during his years in the majors.

Woodling really hit his stride in the early 1950s, helping the New York Yankees snag five straight World Series championships from 1949 to 1953.

He had a knack for coming through in big moments, which is why folks called him “Old Faithful.” Across those championship series, he posted a strong .318 batting average.

The versatile outfielder ended his career with a .284 lifetime average, 147 home runs, and 830 RBIs.

Let’s take a look at Woodling’s journey, from his early days as a young prospect dominating the minor leagues to his last season with Casey Stengel’s expansion Mets.

His story weaves together wartime service that shaped his character, those unforgettable championship years, and a post-retirement life that kept him close to both baseball and his Ohio roots.

Gene Woodling’s Career Overview

Gene Woodling played Major League Baseball from 1943 to 1962, with a few dominant years in the minors that eventually led to his breakthrough with the Yankees dynasty.

He served in World War II, struggled a bit with his first big-league teams, and finally found his groove as a clutch performer in five straight World Series championships.

Early Years and Entry into Professional Baseball

Gene Woodling kicked off his pro baseball career in 1940 after Cleveland scout Bill Bradley spotted him during his senior year at East High School in Akron.

He’d actually focused on football, basketball, and swimming at first. But his swimming coach nudged him into trying baseball.

Woodling started off strong in the Ohio State League at Mansfield. He led the Class D league with a wild .398 batting average and made the All-Star team as a rookie in 1940.

He kept it going in 1941 at Flint in the Michigan State League, topping the hitters with a .394 average.

But in 1942, things took a turn. Playing for Class A Wilkes-Barre in the Eastern League, he broke his ankle sliding into home after just 39 games.

Woodling bounced back in 1943, leading his third minor league in hitting with a .344 average.

That run earned him a short call-up to the Cleveland Indians, where he hit .320 in eight games before World War II put his career on hold.

Major League Debut and Early Teams

Woodling made his Major League debut on September 23, 1943, with the Cleveland Indians at 21.

Early on, he faced inconsistency and didn’t get many chances with Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

After his military service from 1943 to 1945, he came back to Cleveland but couldn’t lock down regular playing time.

He once said he led “every minor league I was in in hitting,” but with the Indians in 1946, he managed just a .188 batting average in 150 plate appearances.

The Pirates traded for Woodling in exchange for manager Al Lopez, but things didn’t turn around right away.

After hitting .289 at Newark in 1947, he got sold to the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League.

His breakthrough finally came in 1948 under manager Lefty O’Doul, who tweaked his batting stance and approach.

Woodling tore up the Coast League with a .385 average, won the batting title, and The Sporting News named him Minor League Player of the Year.

Career Achievements and Milestones

The New York Yankees bought Woodling for $100,000 plus several players in 1948, kicking off his best years.

From 1949 to 1953, he helped the Yankees win five consecutive World Series championships, hitting .318 in the postseason.

While with the Yankees, Woodling averaged .291 and led the American League in on-base percentage (.429) in 1953.

He also led AL outfielders in fielding percentage (.996) in both 1952 and 1953.

Woodling played for six teams in all: Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Senators, and New York Mets.

His 1957 season with Cleveland was a personal best, with 19 home runs, 78 RBIs, and a .321 batting average.

He finished up with the expansion New York Mets in 1962, reuniting with Casey Stengel.

Woodling retired with a .284 lifetime batting average and hit over .300 five times during his 17 seasons.

Key Seasons Leading up to 1962 Retirement

Gene Woodling’s peak came during those five straight World Series wins with the Yankees from 1949 to 1953.

He built a reputation as a clutch performer when the stakes were highest.

Later moves to Baltimore, Washington, and finally the Mets brought new challenges and roles as he adjusted to different teams before ending his career with the expansion Mets.

New York Yankees and World Series Success

Woodling joined the Yankees in 1949 after his standout .385 season with the San Francisco Seals caught Casey Stengel’s eye.

The Yankees paid $100,000 and sent several players to get him, and it turned out to be a solid move.

From 1949 through 1953, Woodling helped the Yankees take five straight World Series titles.

He hit .291 during those championship years, averaging 66 runs and 59 RBI each season.

In the postseason, he batted .318 across 27 World Series games.

The 1952 World Series against Brooklyn was especially memorable.

Woodling hit .348 and smacked a clutch solo home run in Game 7 to help the Yankees win 4-2.

He followed up in 1953 by homering off Johnny Podres to start Game 5 at Ebbets Field.

Woodling led AL outfielders in fielding percentage during 1952 and 1953, both at .996.

He brought top-notch defense to go with his steady bat, making him a complete player for the Yankees’ dynasty.

Baltimore Orioles and Later Career Moves

After his Yankees run, Woodling landed in Baltimore and kept up his productive career.

The Orioles gave him a fresh shot to show off his veteran leadership and his knack for consistent hitting.

He adapted well to the team’s different vibe and expectations.

Woodling kept his reputation as a clutch hitter, especially when runners were in scoring position late in games.

Younger teammates leaned on his experience, and he shared plenty from his championship days.

His professional attitude and competitive edge stayed with him through this part of his career.

Final Years with Washington Senators and New York Mets

Woodling joined the Washington Senators as his career wound down.

That move added another chapter to his journey through various teams, each with its own set of challenges.

He finished up with the expansion New York Mets in 1962.

At 39, Woodling played his last season under Casey Stengel, the same manager who’d led him to five World Series titles.

The Mets released him before the 1963 season after he criticized the front office’s contract talks with Marv Throneberry.

That controversy brought his playing days to a close on September 16, 1962, when he went 0-for-2 against Cincinnati.

Woodling wrapped up his 17-year career with a .284 batting average, 1,585 hits, 147 home runs, and 830 RBIs in 1,796 games.

Those five World Series rings still stand out as the highlight of his baseball life.

Retirement in 1962 and Legacy

Gene Woodling finished his 17-year Major League Baseball career in 1962 with the expansion New York Mets, closing out a journey that started in 1943 with Cleveland.

His final season left him with a .284 career batting average and 147 home runs.

He built a reputation for clutch hitting and strong defense that stuck with teammates and left a mark on the game.

Final MLB Season with New York Mets

Woodling joined the New York Mets for their first season in 1962 at age 39.

The team had a rough go of it, but Woodling brought some much-needed experience to the clubhouse.

He reunited with Casey Stengel, who’d managed him during those Yankees championship runs.

Even though the Mets struggled, Woodling kept things professional and steady.

He played his last game on September 16, 1962.

The team let him go before the 1963 season after he called out the front office over contract talks with Marv Throneberry.

That moment showed the same competitive fire he’d always had.

Even at the end, Woodling didn’t hesitate to speak up about what mattered in baseball.

Career Statistics and Notable Performances

Woodling’s 17 seasons produced some pretty solid numbers.

His .284 batting average showed he could hit, year in and year out.

Key Career Statistics:

• Games played: 1,796
• Home runs: 147
• RBIs: 830
• Batting average: .284
• Times batting .300 or better: 5 seasons

He really shined in the postseason.

During the Yankees’ five straight World Series wins from 1949-1953, he averaged .318 in the Fall Classic.

Woodling racked up 27 postseason hits, including five doubles, two triples, and three home runs.

His knack for clutch hitting became legendary with teammates like Allie Reynolds and other Yankees greats.

He led the American League in on-base percentage in 1953 with a .429 mark.

Defensively, he led AL outfielders in fielding percentage in both 1952 and 1953, finishing at .996 each year.

Impact on Teammates and the Game

Teammates called Woodling “Old Faithful” for his steady hitting when it mattered.

He earned respect for being direct and always competing hard.

Once, in a clubhouse meeting, Stengel said Woodling was “one guy in this room who don’t talk behind my back.”

He and Hank Bauer formed the “Gold Dust Twins” in the Yankees outfield.

Woodling usually played left while Bauer handled right, and together they helped anchor the team during those championship years.

After he hung up his spikes, Woodling coached the Baltimore Orioles from 1964 to 1967.

He later left baseball to run a horse farm in Ohio and worked for companies like Eaton, Diebold, and Dayton Lock.

His influence went beyond stats—he brought a winning mentality and a pro’s approach to every team.

Woodling’s career showed that preparation and clutch play could make the most of natural talent at baseball’s top level.

Gene Woodling in Wartime and Off the Field

World War II interrupted Gene Woodling’s baseball career, and he served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946.

His military service included playing for one of the top service teams in baseball history and later organizing sports for servicemen in the Pacific.

Military Service During World War II

Woodling joined the Navy in October 1943 after playing just eight games with the Cleveland Indians.

They drafted him and sent him to Great Lakes Naval Training Station for basic training.

At Great Lakes, athletic director Tom Hinkle, a former Butler University basketball coach, noticed him.

Hinkle asked Woodling to stay in ship’s company and play for the Great Lakes team.

“I was drafted into the Navy in the fall of 1943 and sent to Great Lakes,” Woodling said. “A fellow named Tom Hinkle asked me if I would like to stay the next year in ship’s company and play for Great Lakes. Well, would I like to! Yeah!”

That decision worked out well for both Woodling and the Navy’s baseball program.

He spent 1944 playing under Lieutenant Commander Mickey Cochrane, the Hall of Fame catcher who managed the service team.

Baseball in the Navy and Saipan Experience

The Great Lakes Blue Jackets dominated service baseball in 1944. Their roster boasted major league stars like Billy Herman, Al Glossop, Schoolboy Rowe, and Si Johnson.

That team racked up a wild 48-2 record, beating a bunch of major league squads along the way. Woodling hit .342 for the Blue Jackets, which, oddly enough, was the lowest average among their regulars.

In February 1945, Woodling got transferred to Hawaii. He joined the Navy’s Pacific Tour with the Third Fleet team and traveled to the Marshall Islands, Guam, Saipan, and Leyte.

Once the tour wrapped up, the Navy sent Woodling to Saipan. There, he organized athletics for servicemen, which really showed off his leadership skills beyond just playing ball.

Woodling received his discharge from the Navy in January 1946. He spent over two years in military service, and that experience definitely shaped his early baseball career.

Early Life and Development

Gene Woodling was born on August 16, 1922, in Akron, Ohio. He was the youngest son of Harvey and Alvada Woodling.

His athletic development at East High School went way beyond baseball. He played football, basketball, and swam, while his older brother “Red” even earned national swimming honors at Ohio State University.

Family Background in Akron, Ohio

Eugene Richard Woodling grew up in a family that practically lived for sports in Akron, Ohio. Harvey and Alvada Woodling raised Gene in a home where athletic achievement mattered.

The Woodlings were especially known for their swimming. Gene’s brother “Red” won a national title swimming for Ohio State.

Gene always said his swimming training helped set him up for baseball. The discipline and competitive drive from swimming helped him build the mental toughness he’d need later as a pro.

Growing up in Ohio, Gene couldn’t help but get swept up in the state’s football culture. That environment shaped his early years and pushed him to try a bit of everything.

East High School Athletics and Mentors

At East High School in Akron, Gene played football, basketball, and finally baseball. That multi-sport background gave him a leg up in overall athleticism.

During his senior year, something unexpected happened. The swimming coach took over the baseball team and convinced Gene to give baseball a shot.

Spring weather in the Midwest made high school baseball seasons short—barely twenty games. Still, Gene impressed enough people to get noticed by pro scouts.

Cleveland scout Bill Bradley saw real potential in Gene’s short high school baseball career and signed him to a pro contract. That moment kicked off what would become his seventeen-year run in the majors.

Post-Retirement Life and Final Years

When Gene Woodling left baseball in 1962, he moved into coaching and tried his hand at several businesses. Even as he faced health problems later on, he stayed close to the game through coaching roles and built a solid post-sports career back in Ohio.

Coaching and Business Ventures

Woodling came back to baseball as a coach with the Baltimore Orioles from 1964 to 1967. Those four years gave him a chance to pass on what he’d learned to younger players.

After coaching, he turned his attention to business and farming. Woodling ran a horse farm in Ohio, mixing his love for animals with business.

He didn’t stop there. He worked for big companies like Eaton, Diebold, and Dayton Lock, showing he could handle life outside baseball too.

That switch from pro sports to the corporate world really highlighted his versatility. Honestly, handling pressure in baseball probably made the business world seem a bit less daunting.

Personal Life and Health Challenges

Woodling spent his retirement years in Ohio. He liked staying close to his roots in the Akron area.

He kept up connections to his hometown throughout his post-baseball life. That always seemed important to him.

In 1997, Woodling had a crippling stroke. It really changed his quality of life.

This health crisis started his final years of declining health. The stroke left him with severe limitations for the last four years of his life.

He passed away on June 2, 2001, in Barberton, Ohio. He was 78.

Woodling was buried at Granger Fairview Cemetery in Granger, Ohio. His life stretched from the Great Depression all the way to the early 21st century—quite a span, honestly.