MLB Playing Career
Gardner was signed by the Giants in 1945 and came up with them on April 22, 1954, but he could not break into the contending team's lineup. In early 1956, he was purchased by the Orioles, which is where his career really began, and he would begin to secure himself as an every-day player.
Gardner was not speedy, picking up a career-high of only 10 steals, but in his best season of 1957, he did lead the league in doubles with 36, and at bats with 644. He played in every one of the 154 games that season, batting .262 with 6 home runs and 55 RBIs. In his career, Gardner also came in the top 10 in hit by pitches twice (1956, '57), with a career-high of 8 in 1957 (5th in the league).
He wound up as a utility infielder on the powerful 1961 Yankees, winning the 1961 World Series with them against the Cincinnati Reds. In his one and only at bat of the post-season, he lined out to shortstop in the 9th inning of Game 2. The Yankees lost the game 6-2. He was never an every-day player with the Yankees, because they had Bobby Richardson to fill the second base spot. Gardner ended his career with two years on the Red Sox, picking up 70 hits with them in 283 at bats.
Nicknamed "Shotgun" for his rifle arm, Gardner led American League second basemen in fielding percentage in 1957 (.987), including 55 consecutive errorless games, and finished with a .976 fielding mark all-time.
In all or parts of ten seasons, Gardner batted .237 with 41 home runs and 271 RBIs in 1034 games played. He picked up 841 hits, with 159 doubles and 18 triples in 3544 career at bats. He finished with 19 career steals.
Read more about this topic: Billy Gardner
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