Joe Gordon

Lore & Background

As a rookie second baseman in 1938, Gordon set a new record for home runs in a season for a second baseman with 25. He won the American League MVP Award in 1942 and was named to The Sporting News Major League All-Star Team in nine of his eleven seasons. He led the AL in assists four times and in double plays three times. His 253 home runs were second all-time among players primarily playing second base when he retired. He played a major role on the 1948 champion Cleveland Indians, leading the team in homers and runs batted in.

In Their Own Story

The late-August sun hung low over the old Bricks, turning the infield dirt to the color of warm clay. Gordon was already in his glove, knees bent, eyes tracking the shortstop's windup. The batter cranked a ground ball toward the hole. Gordon moved like water—two steps, a soft tag, and the pivot was already happening before the first baseman even committed. The throw to first was a laser. The runner slid, dust billowing, and the umpire's fist went up.

The Tigers dugout erupted. Gordon didn't celebrate. He just shook the dirt off his glove, looked back at the shortstop, and mouthed two words: 'Again. Next one.' The crowd roared, and somewhere in the stands a fan in a Tigers cap laughed and muttered, 'That Jinx won't let you forget it.' The scoreboard ticked forward. The game went on. But for that one breath, the whole ballpark belonged to the kid from Detroit who made second base look like the most dangerous position in baseball.

Reader's Guide

Gordon was born in Los Angeles on February 18, 1915. He attended Jefferson High School in Oregon and the University of Oregon, where he played baseball, football, gymnastics, soccer, and the long jump, and also played violin in the college orchestra. He signed with the New York Yankees in 1936 and made his MLB debut in April 1938. He served in the U.S. Army in 1944–45 during World War II, missing those seasons. After his playing career, he became a coach and manager.

Did You Know?

• Gordon set a record for home runs by a second baseman as a rookie with 25 in 1938.
• He hit for the cycle on September 8, 1940.
• In the 1941 World Series, Gordon batted .500 and turned five double plays, a record for a five-game Series.
• He was the first AL second baseman to hit 20 home runs in a season, doing so seven times.
• Gordon's single-season record of home runs at second base stood until 2001.