Jim Gilliam
Soft-spoken Jim Gilliam succeeded Jackie Robinson at second base in 1953, which kicked off a 14-year career soent entirely with the Dodgers. The switch-hitter was named Rookie of the Year, scoring 125 runs and drawing 100 walks as the Dodgers won their second straight pennant. He slugged two homers, one from each side of the plate, in the World Series that fall. Gilliam's versatility prompted his move to third and the outfield, but he continued to be a valuable member of the Dodgers wherever he played. In his 14 seasons as a player, his teams won seven pennants, and in 12 years as a coach, Gilliam was on three more pennant winners.
Played For
Brooklyn Dodgers (1953-1957)
Los Angeles Dodgers (1958-1966)
All-Time Rankings
Jim Gilliam ranks #34 among the Top 50 all-time at 2B. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1953
NL Rookie of the Year voting: Jim Gilliam (11 votes), Harvey Haddix (4), Ray Jablonski (3), Bill Bruton (2), Rip Repulski (2), Fred Baczewski (1), Jim Greengrass (1)
Factoids
Jim Gilliam scored at least 100 runs in each of his first four big league seasons.
Over his 14-year career, Jim Gilliam averaged 86 walks and just 34 strikeouts per season.
Where He Played
Second base (1,046 games), third (761), outfield (222, mostly in left).
Born
James William Gilliam was born on October 17, 1928, in Nashville, TN.
Died
October 8, 1978, Inglewood, CA
Batted: Both
Threw: Right
Primary Position: 2B
Primary Team: LAN
Major League Debut
April 14, 1953
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1953
Al Kaline
Ernie Banks
Junior Gilliam
Roy Face
Don Larsen
Johnny Podres
Bob Buhl
Bobo Holloman
Bill Bruton
Nicknames
Junior
Gilliam preferred "Jim" over "Junior"
Uniform Numbers
The Dodgers retired Gilliam's #19 after his sudden death from a brain hemorrhage in 1978.
Related Players
With the Dodgers in the mid-1960s, Gilliam and teammates Wes Parker, Maury Wills, and Jim Lefebvre formed baseball's first all-switch-hitting infield.
Post-Season Appearances
1953 World Series
1955 World Series
1956 World Series
1959 World Series
1963 World Series
1965 World Series
1966 World Series
Awards and Honors
1953 NL Rookie of the Year
All-Star Selections
1956 NL
1959 NL
Replaced
Jackie Robinson, who became one of his best friends on the team.
Replaced By
Gilliam retired twice to become the Dodgers third base coach, but jumped back into the lineup when the season started and contributed greatly. Finally, when he was done, he was replaced by a few utlity guys who filled his 200-350 at-bats that were split between third, second, and the outfield.
Best Strength as a Player
Ability to draw walks.
Largest Weakness as a Player
He showed some bad judgment on the basepaths, but that's nitpicking.
Learn More about Jim Gilliam
Search Amazon.com for Books about Jim Gilliam ⇒
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View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
