Gil Coan – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Gil Coan built a solid eleven-season career in Major League Baseball after World War II. He played mostly as an outfielder from 1946 to 1956.

Coan, a North Carolina native, put together a .254 batting average with 39 home runs and 278 RBIs in 918 games. He spent most of his career with the Washington Senators, then wrapped up his playing days with three other teams.

Coan started his professional baseball journey in the minor leagues. Eventually, he landed in the nation’s capital and became a steady presence in the Senators’ outfield during the late 1940s and early 1950s.

His speed and glove made him valuable, especially as baseball shifted back into peacetime routines.

He made some noise on the field, too. On April 21, 1951, he tied a major league record by hitting two triples in one inning.

Coan’s story isn’t just about what happened on the diamond with Washington, Baltimore, Chicago, and New York. It’s also about his life after baseball and his place among the game’s veterans who witnessed huge changes in America’s pastime during the mid-1900s.

Early Life and Path to Major League Baseball

Gilbert Fitzgerald Coan’s path from a small North Carolina farm to the big leagues came from family values, tough breaks, and standout athletic talent.

Born on May 18, 1922, in Monroe, North Carolina, he pushed through serious adversity to become one of the most promising prospects in baseball.

Childhood and Overcoming Adversity

Coan grew up with his family in Union County, North Carolina. His parents, George Phifer Coan and Florence Price Coan, both called North Carolina home and could trace their roots back to Scotch-Irish settlers.

They lived on a farm outside Monroe that George Coan bought with his World War I veteran’s pension.

Around 1933, as Gil neared his teens, the family moved to Mineral Springs. There, his dad ran a service station and country store during the tough Depression years.

At age 10, Coan suffered a serious injury playing sandlot football. He cracked a joint in his left thumb, and doctors had to remove part of the bone.

He lost most of his left thumb, a disability that would stick with him for his entire baseball career.

“I cracked a joint and the bone came loose at the middle joint and they had to remove the bone,” Coan said years later. Even with this setback, he didn’t let the injury define his future in baseball.

High School and College Baseball Career

At Mineral Springs High School, Coan worked on his baseball skills during short spring seasons that lasted just eight to ten games.

The school didn’t have football, so he focused on baseball and basketball. He grew into a quick, 6-foot, 180-pound athlete who batted left and threw right.

He started as a second baseman and played in a Rotary Club teen league in Monroe in the summer of 1939. His Methodist upbringing led him to Brevard College, a two-year Methodist school in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains.

In 1941, Coan played for Brevard College’s respected baseball program. More importantly, he met Dovie White of Rosman, North Carolina, who would later become his wife.

They got married on September 22, 1941, just months after graduating.

Signing with the Washington Senators

After college, Coan worked at the Ecusta paper mill in Brevard and played for their semipro team in the Western North Carolina Industrial League. The competition there was about as tough as Class A minor-league baseball.

Scout Zinn Beck, a former big leaguer with the Cardinals and Yankees, spotted Coan during this stretch. Beck first offered him a contract for Class B ball, but Coan turned it down because he was newly married and didn’t want to leave Brevard.

Coan received a 4-F deferment from World War II service due to his thumb injury. He settled into married life with Dovie, and their first child, Gilbert Jr., was born in December 1942.

Still, baseball kept calling.

In early 1944, the 22-year-old reached out to Beck, who was now general manager of the Chattanooga Lookouts. Coan signed with the Washington Senators organization for $275 a month.

He impressed at spring training and landed with the Kingsport Cherokees, where he hit .367 in 72 games. That performance earned him a promotion to Chattanooga.

Washington Senators Tenure

Gil Coan played eight seasons with the Washington Senators from 1946 to 1953. He became known as a speedy outfielder, even though injuries and skin allergies slowed him down early on.

At Griffith Stadium, he got involved in some memorable promotions and steadily improved as a big league player.

Major League Debut and Early Seasons

Coan made his major league debut on April 27, 1946, pinch-hitting against the Chicago White Sox at Griffith Stadium.

A brutal skin allergy caused his feet to blister and get infected during spring training in Florida, which kept him out of uniform for chunks of his rookie season.

He didn’t start his first game until June 8, when he played right field and batted second.

His first major league hit came on June 16, 1946—a leadoff bunt single off Detroit’s Al Benton. That hit sparked a three-run rally to help Washington win.

Coan’s rookie numbers weren’t great, mostly because of his health issues. He batted just .209 in 147 plate appearances, with only 28 hits and eight extra-base knocks.

Even so, Ted Williams called Coan “the most promising prospective big league star” among 1946 American League rookies. Williams described what he saw as “terrific” and figured Coan would turn into an outstanding player.

Notable Achievements and Records with the Senators

Coan’s best year came in 1948, when he played 138 games as the regular left fielder. He tied for the team lead with seven home runs and drove in 60 runs for the seventh-place Senators.

His speed made a real difference that season. Coan stole 23 bases in 32 tries, leading the team and setting his personal best.

The 1950 and 1951 seasons were his peak years in Washington. He showed off the talent that got him named Minor League Player of the Year in 1945.

Career Highlights with Washington:

• 8 seasons (1946-1953)
• Mainly played left field
• Led team in stolen bases (1948)
• First player from Mineral Springs High School to reach the majors

Coan’s defense got a lot better as time went on. Even with most of his left thumb gone, he became one of the better outfielders in the American League.

Fan Engagement and Promotions at Griffith Stadium

One of the most memorable promotions involving Coan happened on August 21, 1946. Washington owner Clark Griffith set up a 100-yard sprint race between Coan and former Senator George Case before a game against Cleveland.

A crowd of 24,123 fans showed up that Wednesday night, including war hero General Dwight Eisenhower. Case won by about six feet, running the distance in 10 seconds flat on soggy grass.

Both players got $500 for running the race. Coan had a chance to meet General Eisenhower afterward, though he didn’t play in the actual game.

Another big moment came on Opening Day 1949, when President Harry S. Truman attended the game. A favorite photo shows Coan handing a baseball to President Truman in the stands.

The sprint race showed off Griffith’s flair for promotion and highlighted Coan’s reputation for speed. It became one of the more unique pregame events in Senators history.

Transition to the Baltimore Orioles

Gil Coan joined the newly relocated Baltimore Orioles in 1954 after the Senators traded him for Roy Sievers. Moving to Baltimore marked a big change for both Coan and the franchise as they settled into their new city.

Historic Moments and Firsts with the Orioles

Coan became part of baseball history in 1954 when he joined the Baltimore Orioles. The team had just moved from St. Louis, where they were the Browns.

He was one of the first players to suit up for the new Baltimore franchise. Coan helped establish the team’s identity during those early years.

The Orioles built their roster with experienced players like Coan. His speed and outfield skills brought some much-needed experience to the young club.

Coan played a full season with Baltimore in 1954. He appeared in games at Memorial Stadium, the Orioles’ new home.

His presence gave the team some veteran leadership. The Orioles needed players who understood the grind of major league baseball.

Role and Performance in the Team’s Early Years

Coan served as a regular outfielder for Baltimore from 1954 to 1955. He brought his knack for getting on base and stealing bags to the Orioles’ lineup.

He kept his batting average steady during his Baltimore stint. Coan’s experience from his Washington days helped guide younger teammates.

He continued to show off his speed on the bases. His glove in left field gave the Orioles’ outfield some needed stability.

Coan played part of the 1955 season with Baltimore before moving on to other teams. His two-year run with the Orioles bridged his prime years in Washington and the close of his career.

He helped set a professional tone for the franchise. Coan’s work ethic and knowledge of the game influenced the team’s early culture.

Final Major League Years: Chicago White Sox and New York Giants

Gil Coan’s last seasons in the majors had him bouncing between three teams in 1955 alone. After his time with the Orioles in 1954 and part of 1955, he finished his career with short stints on the Chicago White Sox and New York Giants before retiring in 1956.

Stint with the Chicago White Sox

Coan joined the Chicago White Sox during the 1955 season, adding another chapter to his career after Baltimore.

The White Sox used his speed and defensive chops in the outfield. With nearly a decade of big-league experience, he brought a veteran presence to the clubhouse.

The team saw him as someone who could help as a starter and in specific situations.

In Chicago, Coan kept showing the speed that made him stand out. He stayed a threat on the bases and held his own in the outfield when needed.

His time with the White Sox was part of a season that saw him play for multiple teams. That kind of journey wasn’t unusual for veteran players near the end of their careers.

Contributions to the New York Giants

Coan moved to the New York Giants later in 1955, stepping into the National League. The Giants mostly used him as a pinch-runner and late-inning outfield replacement.

He picked up his first National League hit on September 11, 1955, pinch-hitting against Warren Hacker of the Chicago Cubs. His second and last NL hit came a week later as a pinch-hitter against Clem Labine of the Brooklyn Dodgers.

The Giants relied on Coan’s speed and veteran experience in key moments. He could still steal a base and cover ground in the outfield when the team needed it.

At the time of his death in 2020, Coan was the oldest surviving New York Giant. That’s a pretty cool distinction and made him one of the last links to the Giants’ New York era before the move to San Francisco.

Retirement from Professional Baseball

Coan’s major league career wrapped up in 1956 after he played just four games with the Giants in April. His final season was short, ending an 11-year run that started back in 1946.

After leaving the majors, Coan played one more solid season in the high minors in 1956. That last hurrah showed he could still compete.

He retired at age 34, which was pretty typical for players back then. The physical grind of pro baseball and the injuries he dealt with over the years played a part in his decision to call it quits.

After baseball, Coan returned to Brevard, North Carolina, where he’d settled as a college student. He used his baseball earnings to buy a cattle farm and got deeply involved in his local community.

Career Statistics and Notable Records

Gil Coan put up some solid offensive numbers over his 11-season career. In 1947, he hit a remarkable .500 batting average, which set a major league record at the time.

He played with real speed on the basepaths and handled different defensive spots, making himself a valuable piece for several teams.

Batting and Fielding Highlights

Coan wrapped up his career with a .254 batting average. He racked up 731 hits in 918 games.

He drove in 278 runs and scored 384 times across those 11 seasons.

His best year was 1951. That season, he hit .303 and set personal bests in home runs (9), RBIs (62), runs (85), and games played (135).

His .303 average ranked ninth in the American League.

Key Offensive Statistics:

• Batting Average: .254
• Home Runs: 39
• RBIs: 278
• Hits: 731
• Doubles: 98
• Triples: 44

Coan showed off his base-stealing ability, swiping 83 bases in his career. From 1948 to 1952, he averaged 12 stolen bases per season.

He had his best year stealing bases in 1948, when he stole 23 and finished second in the American League.

He played all three outfield positions and posted a .973 fielding percentage. That kind of versatility really helped his teams.

MLB and Minor League Milestones

Coan’s most famous moment came in 1947. He batted .500 over 42 at-bats, setting a record for the highest batting average by any player with 30 or more at-bats in a season.

Rudy Pemberton broke that record in 1996 with a .512 average.

On April 21, 1951, Coan tied a major league record by hitting two triples in the same inning. Only four other players have ever done that.

Before he reached the majors, Coan turned heads in the minors. In 1945, The Sporting News named him Minor League Player of the Year while he played for the Chattanooga Lookouts in the Southern Association.

He played professionally from 1946 to 1956. He suited up for four teams: Washington Senators (1946-1953), Baltimore Orioles (1954-1955), Chicago White Sox (1955), and New York Giants (1955-1956).

Post-Baseball Life and Lasting Legacy

After he retired from baseball in 1956, Gil Coan jumped into business and became a pillar of his North Carolina community.

His entrepreneurial success and dedication to civic service made a real impact that lasted far beyond his playing days.

Entrepreneurial Ventures and Community Involvement

Coan made a name for himself as a businessman in Brevard, North Carolina, where he’d gone to college and met his wife, Dovie.

With his baseball earnings up to 1951, he bought a cattle farm near Brevard and worked it even while he was still playing.

In 1956, he got into the insurance business and started what would become the Brevard Insurance Agency.

His family took over the agency in 1962, and Coan retired from the business in 1986. His son and grandson kept things going after him.

Coan also spent decades giving back to the Brevard community. The hard work he put into farming and other ventures gave him the means to support his hometown.

He stayed close to his Methodist faith and stayed active in local civic groups throughout his retirement.

Honors, Memorials, and Impact on Baseball History

Back in 1994, Brevard College decided to honor Coan for all he’d done—not just for baseball, but for the community too. They named their baseball field after him, which really says something about how much people respected both his time as a professional athlete and his dedication as a community leader.

When Coan passed away in 2020, he stood out as one of the oldest living former major league players. He also held the title of oldest surviving member of the New York Giants franchise, since he played for them during the 1955 and 1956 seasons.

Coan and his college sweetheart Dovie shared a marriage that lasted 78 years, which is honestly kind of inspiring. His sons and grandsons picked up where he left off, running the family businesses he started, so his entrepreneurial legacy keeps going strong in the Brevard community he loved for more than sixty years.