One Time New York Giants Bonus Baby That Didn't Pan Out: Paul Giel (1954-1955)

Paul Robert Giel was born on September 29th 1932 in Winona Minnesota.

 The five foot eleven right hander attended the University of Minnesota & was signed by the New York Giants as a 1954 bonus baby. He received the largest bonus any player had with the Giants up to that point $$60,000.

He found himself pitching with the 1954 World Champions during the regular season, debuting on July 10th, 1954. That day he finished up a 10-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, striking out the last three batters he faced. Giel would pitch in just six games for New York, striking out four batters & walking two in 4.1 innings of work. He did not pitch in the post season.

In 1955 he saw the most action of what would be a short career. He earned his first career win on June 15th, a three inning relief effort at Wrigley Field. He would earn another win there in late July as well.

On July 10th he earned a win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in a classic at the Polo Grounds. With the Giants down 2-1 in the 9th inning, three straight singles led to Davey Williams tying up the game. Then Willie Mays won it with a walk off base hit 2-1. The Giants were the reigning Champions that year but Brooklyn would win the '55 Series taking the title.

Giel would go off to the Military for years, returning with the 1958 Giants who were now in San Francisco. He went 4-5 in 29 appearances posting a 4.70 ERA. He was placed on waivers & was picked up by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He pitched briefly there for two years, moving on to the Minnesota Twins & Kansas City Athletics in 1961.He retired after the season.

In a six year career he was 11-9 with a 5.39 ERA in 240 innings in 102 games.

Retirement: After baseball he was athletic director at the University of Minnesota (1972-1988). In 2002 he was returning home after a Twins game & suffered a fatal heart attack in his car.