Paul Giel | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Paul Robert Giel (1932-02-29)February 29, 1932 Winona, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Died | May 22, 2002(2002-05-22) (aged 70) Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
Baseball player Baseball career | |
| Pitcher | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| July 10, 1954, for the New York Giants | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 2, 1961, for the Minnesota Twins | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 11–9 |
| Earned run average | 5.39 |
| Strikeouts | 145 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Football career | |
| No. 10 | |
| Position | Halfback |
| Personal information | |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Winona |
| College |
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| Awards and highlights | |
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Paul Robert Giel (February 29, 1932 – May 22, 2002)[1] was an Americancollege football and professionalbaseball player fromWinona, Minnesota. He was anAll-American in both sports at theUniversity of Minnesota.
Giel attended theUniversity of Minnesota, where he was a star single wing tailback for theMinnesota Golden Gophers football team. While at Minnesota, Giel was a member ofPhi Kappa, which later merged withPhi Kappa Theta fraternity.[2] During his career at Minnesota he rushed for 2,188 yards and had 1,922 yards passing. Giel received theChicago Tribune Silver Football as theBig Ten'smost valuable player twice, in 1952 and 1953, was named anAll-American twice. Giel was thecaptain of the football team in 1953 that featured an upset of No. 5Michigan for theLittle Brown Jug. That year, he was the runner-up toJohnny Lattner ofNotre Dame for theHeisman Trophy. His 1,794 votes received are the most by any player not to win the award.[3] He wasUnited Press International's college player of the year and theAssociated Press back of the year.
Giel was apitcher for theMinnesota Golden Gophers baseball team. He was selected to the1953 College Baseball All-America Team by theAmerican Baseball Coaches Association.[4]
Giel was especially known for his speed and rapid cutting to change direction on the football field. At 185 pounds he was not a power runner. In the final game of the 1953 football season, Giel was clipped (tackled from behind while near the ball-carrier) on a kick return. This illegal action by an opposing player led to a fifteen-yard penalty and a broken ankle that for many confirmed the belief that Giel was too slight to have a professional football career. Despite this, theCanadian Football League (CFL) offered him $75,000 over three years.[1]
Instead of professional football, after his collegiate days Giel pitched in themajor leagues for theNew York /San Francisco Giants,Pittsburgh Pirates,Minnesota Twins, andKansas City Athletics. He signed with the Giants for a $60,000 bonus, which was their highest ever at the time.
After his retirement from baseball, Giel was acolor commentator onMinnesota Vikings radio broadcasts from 1962 to 1969, and served as the University of Minnesota's Director of Athletics from 1971 to 1989. He was inducted into theCollege Football Hall of Fame in 1975.
Giel died following a heart attack on May 22, 2002.[1] He was buried inLakewood Cemetery.[5]
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