Gene Green (baseball)

Gene Leroy Green (June 26, 1933 – May 23, 1981) was a Major League Baseball outfielder–catcher. Born in Los Angeles, he was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals before the 1952 season. He played for the Cardinals (1957–1959), Baltimore Orioles (1960), Washington Senators (1961), Cleveland Indians (1962–1963), and Cincinnati Reds (1963). A right-handed batter and thrower, he stood 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) and weighed 200 lb (91 kg).

Acquired by the Senators through the expansion draft (December 14, 1960), Green led the first-year club in home runs (18) and slugging percentage (.489). He started 75 games at catcher and 21 more in right field. He was traded to the Indians shortly after the end of the season. In 1962, he hit 11 home runs in just 143 at bats for Cleveland, which is one for every 13 ABs. Other career highlights include one 4-hit game — two doubles and two singles vs. the Philadelphia Phillies (June 8, 1958), thirteen 3-hit games, with the most impressive being two home runs and a single, good for 5 RBI vs. the Cleveland Indians (June 27, 1961), and two home runs vs. his old team, the Washington Senators, good for 4 RBI (August 12, 1962).

Green was below-average defensively in the outfield (.963) and adequate at catcher. He was often used as a pinch hitter during his career. His career totals include 408 games played, 307 hits, 46 home runs, 160 RBI, a .441 slugging percentage, and a lifetime batting average of .267. Gene Green died in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 47.