Former Los Angeles Dodger Gino Cimoli dies at 81 – MLB News
The first Major League at-batter and former outfielder for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers Gino Cimoli died at the age of 81 from heart and kidney problems.
It was in 1958 as the Dodgers’ manager Walter Alston put Cimoli in the line-up due to his decent performance in the Minor League. Cimoli played for 10 seasons in Major League Baseball. He was also a part of the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 1960’s World
Series victory over the New York Yankees.
"Gino was just an all-around nice guy," said friend Bob Tobener, who had helped organize functions in recent years at which Mr. Cimoli spoke. "He was a great athlete. Out of high school, people said he was a better basketball player than baseball player."
There were no chances for the Pirates to get to the victory stand in 1960 until Cimoli took fourth outfielder position and led the team to a tremendous series win. His record of .267 hits with 28 RBIs in 307 at-bats was enough to make the club World Champions.
"Gino was a part of history not just as a member of both the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers, but throughout the game of baseball because of his role in the first-ever big league game on the West Coast," the Dodgers said. "He will undoubtedly be missed
by all who knew him and our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and friends."
Cimoli was a part of seven different MLB teams and retired from baseball with the California Angels in 1965.
During his career he managed to hit .265 with 48 home-runs and 321 RBIs. He was a tremendously talented and immensely skilled baseball player that always put in his best efforts when he stepped on the field. During his career he put up some brilliant numbers
and was a hard working outfielder. Major League Baseball has lost a true legend of the game as Cimoli represented a different generation of players that fought it out every night during a time when the game was more about the sport and less about money.
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