Gilliam made his major league debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1953. In his rookie season, he quickly established himself as a reliable second baseman and leadoff hitter. His performance earned him the National League Rookie of the Year award, as he led the league in triples and demonstrated a keen eye at the plate with a high on-base percentage. Gilliam's ability to get on base and his speed made him an essential part of the Dodgers' lineup.
Throughout his career, Gilliam was known for his adaptability on the field. While he primarily played second base, he also spent significant time at third base and in the outfield. This flexibility allowed the Dodgers to utilize him in various roles, depending on the team's needs. His defensive skills were complemented by his offensive consistency, as he maintained a solid batting average and continued to be a threat on the base paths.
Gilliam's tenure with the Dodgers spanned both their time in Brooklyn and their move to Los Angeles. He was part of the team during a period of great success, contributing to four World Series championships in 1955, 1959, 1963, and 1965. His performance in the 1965 World Series was particularly noteworthy, as he played a crucial role in helping the Dodgers secure the title against the Minnesota Twins.
Off the field, Gilliam was respected for his leadership and professionalism. He served as a mentor to younger players and was often praised for his calm demeanor and strategic understanding of the game. His influence extended beyond his playing days, as he transitioned into a coaching role with the Dodgers after retiring as a player in 1966.
Gilliam's legacy in baseball is marked by his consistent performance, adaptability, and leadership.
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Page from publication
1957
The booklets were published and distributed by various companies through local retailers, who would often rebrand them. While many of...
/ The booklets were published and distributed by various companies through local retailers, who would often rebrand them. While many of the booklets have slight variations in content, they orginate from Pearson Corporation. There was a alternate version of the fact book that is most often seen with "Kessler Whiskey" branding. The Kessler books tended to be a little larger format with a higher quality paper. Publication features team rosters, previews, major & minor league schedules, stadium diagrams, team logos, MLB records, Hall of Fame, World Series results, etc.
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1959
When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the...
/ When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the Sporting News Guide in 1943, a companion publication to the Sporting News Register, which began publication in 1940. After A.S Barnes stopped publication of their guide (successor to the long-running Spalding Baseball Guide), the Sporting News Guide became the official MLB guide.