Born in
Los Angeles, Green was signed by the Cardinals in 1952. He spent six full years in the Redbird
farm system, hitting over 20
home runs four times, before his recall to St. Louis in September 1957. He then spent all of the season on the Cardinal roster, setting career bests in
games played (137),
hits (124), and
batting average (.281), starting 71 games in
right field and 48 as catcher. However, he struggled in 1959: he got into only 30 games for St. Louis, spent the heart of that season in the
minor leagues, and was traded to the Orioles in December. Baltimore kept him at
Triple-A for the full 1960 campaign, But the
American League was adding two new teams for 1961, including an
expansion edition of the Washington Senators, creating an opportunity for Green to regain a big-league job. He was the new Senators' 23rd selection (46th overall) in the
expansion draft, then led the 1961 club in home runs (18), a personal best, and
slugging percentage (.489). He started 75 games at catcher and 21 more in right field. His 62
runs batted in, also a career high, were one fewer than team leader
Willie Tasby's 63. With Washington seeking to improve its ninth-place roster, he was traded to the Indians on October 5, only four days after the end of the regular season; in the deal, Green, veteran
pitcher Dick Donovan (the AL
earned run average champion), and backup
infielder Jim Mahoney were exchanged for colorful
centerfielder Jimmy Piersall. In a
utility and
pinch hitting role for the 1962 Indians, Green hit 11 home runs in just 143
at bats — one for every 13
ABs — and equalled his 1958 batting mark of .281. The following year, however, he struggled to get untracked in Cleveland; batting only .205 with two homers in 78 at bats on August 1, Green was traded to the Reds for catcher
Sammy Taylor, and he hit .226 in limited service in what would be his last year in the majors. Green spent 1964 in the minors before leaving the professional game completely. Gene Green died in
St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of 47. ==Statistical overview==