Paul Giel – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Paul Giel wrapped up his baseball career in 1961 after seven seasons in the majors, but honestly, his story’s a lot bigger than just his time on the mound. The Minnesota native bounced around five teams: the New York Giants, San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, Minnesota Twins, and Kansas City Athletics.

He retired from baseball in 1961 after a quirky trade for himself between the Athletics and Twins. That move basically closed the book on a career that started with big dreams, even if it never quite lived up to the hype.

What set Giel apart? He pulled off the rare feat of being a two-sport All-American at the University of Minnesota in both football and baseball. The guy was so talented he finished as Heisman Trophy runner-up in 1953, but still picked pro baseball over football.

The New York Giants signed him as a highly touted bonus baby, but Giel never really developed much beyond his fastball and curveball. That limitation stuck with him throughout his pro career.

His shift from college sports hero to major league pitcher really shows the challenges many athletes hit when they jump from amateur to pro. Giel’s story isn’t just about baseball and retirement—he also had some huge early achievements and made a real impact in sports after he hung up his cleats.

His life’s a good reminder that athletic careers can turn into legacies that last long after the final game.

Paul Giel’s Baseball Career Overview

Paul Giel played pro baseball from 1954 to 1961, pitching right-handed for four Major League teams. He started as a much-hyped bonus baby with the New York Giants and finished up with short stints for the Kansas City Athletics and Minnesota Twins.

Major League Debut and Early Years

Giel made his MLB debut on July 10, 1954, with the New York Giants at just 21. He faced the Pittsburgh Pirates and struck out all three batters: George O’Donnell, Gair Allie, and Vic Janowicz.

The Giants brought him in as a bonus baby with a contract somewhere between $50,000 and $80,000 over three years. That status forced him to stay on the major league roster for two full years, or another team could draft him.

He only pitched in six games as a rookie, totaling just 4.1 innings. Because of the bonus baby rule, he spent most of his time on the bench, missing out on much-needed minor league experience.

Teams Played For and Transactions

Giel wore four different uniforms in his career:

New York/San Francisco Giants (1954-1955, 1958)

• Started out with the New York Giants
• Stayed with them when they moved to San Francisco

Pittsburgh Pirates (1959-1960)

• Got traded to the Pirates, where he saw more regular action
• Spent two seasons with Pittsburgh

Minnesota Twins (1961)

• Joined his home-state team late in his career
• Made a few appearances before a unique transaction

Kansas City Athletics (1961)

• Played one game for the Athletics
• Got sent back to the Twins on June 10 as the player to be named later, meaning he was basically traded for himself

Performance Highlights and Challenges

Giel finished with a career record of 11 wins and 9 losses, a 5.39 ERA, 105 games, and 240 innings pitched. He struck out 145 batters over six seasons.

His biggest hurdle? He just couldn’t develop a third pitch. Hall of Famer Carl Hubbell once said, “Giel could win in the big leagues as soon as he learned a third pitch.” Giel worked with respected coaches and teammates like Sal Maglie and Larry Jansen, but that reliable changeup never came.

His college fastball, which blew hitters away, just didn’t cut it in the majors. He showed flashes of promise in AAA Columbus and other minor league stops, but he couldn’t quite bring that success up to the big leagues.

After his lone appearance with Kansas City in 1961, Giel walked away from pro baseball. He ended up with the odd distinction of being traded for himself in his last move.

Key Moments Leading to Retirement in 1961

Paul Giel’s last season in 1961 closed out a career that never quite delivered on its early buzz. His short time with the Minnesota Twins and final shot with the Kansas City Athletics made it clear he was still struggling, and those struggles finally led him out of professional baseball.

Minnesota Twins Tenure and Performance

Giel joined the Minnesota Twins in 1961 as the franchise moved from Washington to Minneapolis. Playing in his home state was a big deal for him, considering his college stardom at the University of Minnesota.

But his performance with the Twins was limited. He only got into a handful of games, and that inconsistency that had followed him throughout his major league career stuck around.

The main problem? Still no third pitch. Carl Hubbell had called that out years earlier, and Giel just never figured it out.

Kansas City Athletics and Final Appearances

After a short stint with the Twins, Giel moved to the Kansas City Athletics in 1961. That would be his last stop in pro baseball.

His time with Kansas City was even shorter than with Minnesota. The Athletics didn’t really give him much of a shot to show improvement.

Giel’s final major league game happened on June 2, 1961, when he was 28. That game capped off a seven-year career that had started with so much hope back in 1954.

The Athletics released him, which really shut the door on his big-league dreams. After years of sticking with just two pitches, teams just didn’t believe he could help them anymore.

Retirement Decision and Immediate Aftermath

Giel retired from baseball in 1961 with a career record of 11 wins and 9 losses over 105 games. Not mastering that third pitch had held him back against major league hitters.

Stepping away from the game, Giel jumped into broadcasting and became a color commentator for Minnesota Vikings radio broadcasts from 1962 to 1969.

His post-baseball career actually went better than his days on the mound. He later served as the University of Minnesota’s Director of Athletics from 1971 to 1989, staying close to the sports world.

That retirement ended what many saw as unfulfilled potential. Even with his college heroics and all that early hype, Giel never became the ace the Giants hoped for when they signed him as a bonus baby in 1954.

Athletic Achievements Outside Baseball

Paul Giel’s athletic legacy goes way beyond the baseball diamond. His college football career at the University of Minnesota stands out as one of the most impressive two-sport runs in college history.

His time as a halfback for the Gophers earned him national attention and a spot among college football’s true greats.

College Football Success

Giel started out with the University of Minnesota Gophers as a quarterback, but coach Wes Fesler shifted him to passing halfback and punter in the single-wing offense. That change totally transformed his career—and the team.

He made an immediate impact. In just his first five games, Giel racked up 805 total yards, with 263 rushing and 542 passing, and kept up a 37.5-yard punting average.

The 1952 season really showed off his versatility. He got named All-American by three different groups: Associated Press, Chicago Tribune, and Look magazine. His play helped bring the Gophers back into the national spotlight.

Giel’s most famous game came in 1953 against Michigan. He touched the ball 57 times on 73 plays, ran for 112 yards, passed for 169, led the team with two interceptions, and handled all the punting. The Gophers beat Michigan 22-0 for their first win over the Wolverines in 11 years.

Heisman Trophy and National Recognition

Giel’s college football career earned him two straight Heisman Trophy runner-up finishes, putting him among the best of his era.

In 1952, he finished third in Heisman voting behind Billy Vessels and Jack Scarbath. Not bad for a junior.

The 1953 season was even better. Giel came in as the Heisman Trophy runner-up to Notre Dame’s Johnny Lattner in a super close vote. Lattner won with 1,850 votes to Giel’s 1,794—a difference of just 56 votes.

He picked up more honors along the way. Giel won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the Big Ten’s MVP in both 1952 and 1953. He also grabbed the Big Ten Conference Player of the Year title twice and finished second for The Sporting News outstanding football player award in back-to-back years.

College Football Hall of Fame Honors

Giel’s incredible college football run ended with his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1975. That honor locked in his legacy for his three years with the Gophers.

His numbers back up his impact. Giel finished with 2,188 rushing yards and 1,922 passing yards over three seasons. The Gophers went 10-13-4 during his time, and he captained the team in 1953.

He also became the first person named All-American in both football and baseball in two separate seasons. That’s a wild achievement, showing just how versatile he really was.

The University of Minnesota eventually retired both his football and baseball numbers. They didn’t even have a jersey retirement policy before Giel, but his impact was just that big.

Early Life and Development as an Athlete

Paul Giel’s athletic gifts showed up early in Winona, Minnesota, where he stood out in several sports before making his mark at the University of Minnesota. His journey from local prodigy to national star set the stage for his pro baseball career.

Winona Senior High School Years

Paul Robert Giel was born September 29, 1932, in Winona, Minnesota, to Edward Sr. and Marion Flannery Giel. His dad worked as an engineer for the Chicago & North Western Rail Road Company, and his mom had Irish roots.

Giel’s athletic skills popped up fast. At 14, he set the midget-league basketball half-season record with 175 points—pretty impressive for a kid.

Baseball was where he really shined in high school:

• Threw a one-hitter with 10 strikeouts on Opening Day
• Struck out 21 in a seven-inning game on June 13
• Tossed a no-hitter with 19 strikeouts for the Federal Bread team

His fastball was so tough that pro scouts like Angelo “Tony” Giuliani started to pay attention. In 1948 and 1949, while still in high school, Giel played shortstop for the Rollingstone team in the Bi-State League.

After graduating in 1950, he pitched for the Winona Braves in the Class B Hiawatha Valley League. He tossed another no-hitter, building his rep as a dominant pitcher.

Multi-Sport Talent at University of Minnesota

Six or seven major league teams, including the Cubs, Dodgers, and Giants, talked to Giel after high school. Even with those pro opportunities, he chose to stay close to home and play for the University of Minnesota.

Football ended up as his main sport in college:

• Started as quarterback, then moved to passing halfback and punter
• Racked up 2,188 rushing yards and 1,922 passing yards
• Named All-American in 1952 by three different groups
• Finished third in Heisman voting as a junior

He kept up his baseball success at Minnesota under coach Dick Siebert. In 1952, Giel went 5-0 in Big Ten play, struck out 43, and posted a 0.42 ERA. He wrapped up his college baseball career with a 21-8 record.

Giel became the first athlete ever named All-American in both football and baseball in two different seasons. That dual-sport excellence made him a hot commodity for pro teams in both sports.

Influences and Support

Coach Dick Siebert really shaped Giel’s baseball skills at the University of Minnesota. Siebert guided Giel as he worked on his pitching mechanics and started to understand the game on a deeper level.

Giel’s family stood by him throughout his athletic journey. Growing up with three siblings—Edward Jr., Lawrence, and Ruth—he picked up competition and teamwork early on.

Key developmental factors included:

• Strong family support system in Winona
• Quality coaching at both high school and college levels
• Competitive environment in Minnesota amateur leagues
• Early exposure to professional scouts and evaluation

Giel chose to attend the University of Minnesota instead of signing a pro contract right away. That decision gave him time to grow, both physically and mentally, and it really paid off for his long-term development.

Professional scouts kept a close eye on him all through college. Giel’s summer performances in town ball leagues made sure he stayed on the radar for major league teams, setting the stage for his pro baseball career.

Post-Baseball Career and Contributions

When Paul Giel retired from professional baseball in 1961, he jumped into roles that shaped collegiate athletics and sports media in Minnesota. He spent 16 years as athletic director at the University of Minnesota and also worked as a broadcaster for Minnesota Vikings football games.

Athletic Director at University of Minnesota

Giel took over as athletic director at the University of Minnesota in 1972. He held that job until 1988, overseeing the Golden Gophers athletic programs for a solid 16 years.

During his time there, he managed several sports programs at his alma mater. Giel worked to keep the athletic programs competitive while juggling budgets and compliance.

His background as a former two-sport All-American at Minnesota gave him a real understanding of what student-athletes go through. Giel got both the academic and athletic pressures that college athletes deal with.

The athletic department saw the benefits of his leadership as college sports got more complicated. He navigated NCAA changes and kept Minnesota in the mix in the Big Ten Conference.

Broadcasting and Business Endeavors

After baseball, Giel became a color commentator for Minnesota Vikings radio broadcasts. His sports experience and way with words made him a natural on the air.

He offered analysis and commentary during Vikings games, bringing his athletic perspective to listeners. Fans in Minnesota who remembered his college football days loved hearing from him.

Giel also got involved in various business ventures outside of broadcasting. These allowed him to stay connected to the sports scene while building a career after athletics.

His broadcasting work kept him in the public eye in Minnesota sports circles. People continued to respect him long after his playing days.

Personal Life, Legacy, and Death

Paul Giel’s impact went way beyond his playing days. He became a beloved figure in Minnesota sports through his broadcasting work and administrative roles. He passed away on May 22, 2002, at age 69 after collapsing in his car in Minneapolis, leaving behind a legacy in both college and pro athletics.

Family and Personal Interests

Paul Robert Giel was born on September 29, 1932, in Winona, Minnesota, to Edward Sr. and Marion Flannery Giel. His dad worked as an engineer for the Chicago & North Western Rail Road Company and had German roots, while his mom, born in Minnesota, came from Irish heritage.

Giel grew up alongside his three siblings in Winona. His brothers were Edward Jr. (born 1929) and Lawrence (born 1931), and his sister Ruth (born 1934). The family’s support helped him develop his athletic talents from early on.

Throughout his life, Giel stayed close to his Minnesota roots. After his baseball career ended in 1961, he stuck around the state and got deeply involved in local sports. From 1962 to 1969, he served as a color commentator for Minnesota Vikings radio broadcasts, staying connected to athletics even after stepping away from pro play.

Impact on Minnesota Sports

Giel kept making an impact on Minnesota sports long after his days with the Minnesota Twins and other major league teams. His biggest contribution after playing came as the University of Minnesota’s Director of Athletics starting in 1971. In that role, he helped shape the Gophers athletic programs for years.

He stood out as both a football and baseball All-American at the University of Minnesota, which is pretty rare. The university eventually retired both his football and baseball numbers to honor his outstanding contributions.

Giel’s broadcasting work with the Vikings introduced him to a whole new generation of Minnesota sports fans. His athletic knowledge and easygoing style made him a great fit for radio commentary during the 1960s.

Passing and Remembrance

Paul Giel died on May 22, 2002, at age 69 in Minneapolis. He collapsed in his car, and his sudden passing really shocked the Minnesota sports community.

They buried him at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis. For many, it felt like the end of an era for Minnesota athletics.

Giel had shaped the state’s sports scene for almost five decades. At his memorial services, people remembered both his athletic achievements and the kind of person he was.

He played his last major league game with the Kansas City Athletics in 1961, which was over 40 years before he died. Even though his pro baseball days ended long ago, Giel stayed a respected figure in Minnesota sports right up until the end.