Hall of Fame Major League Baseball Player. One of the best 2nd baseman of his generation, rivaled only by the Boston Red Sox's Bobby Doerr, he came up with the New York Yankees in 1938, taking over for legend Tony Lazzeri. With his amazing acrobatic style of play and powerful bat, he endeared himself to fans in New York. Although the press often compared Joe Gordon and Doerr, and tried to invent a fictitious rivalry, the two always remained good friends, often going out to dinner together whenever the opportunity arose. Joe Gordon, who took tumbling and gymnastics in college and got his degree in Physical Education at Oregon State, was given the nickname 'Flash' because of his jumping ability and quickness. At bat, he was a power hitter, an amazing feet considering that Yankee Stadiums' power alleys in left field were given the nickname of 'Death Valley.' After making it to the World Series 5 of his first 6 seasons he joined the Army in World War II. After an off year in 1946, he was traded to the Indians for pitcher Allie Reynolds, a move that helped both teams. Reynolds would go on to be a mainstay of the Yankees pitching rotation and Joe Gordon would help to lead the Indians to the 1948 World Series Championship. After his career was over, he managed the Sacramento Solons of the PCL for 3 years, then became a west coast scout for the Detroit Tigers. He was named Manager of the Indians in 1958, keeping the 'Tribe' at a respectable level, never having a below .500 record. It was during his 3rd season at the Indians helm that he became part of one of the strangest trades in baseball history. During the 1960 season, he was 'traded' for Detroit Manager Jimmy Dykes. It was the first and last time that two managers were ever traded for each other. He managed the Kansas City A's for part of the 1961 season, then retired from managing. He then came back for one more stint as a manager, becoming the first ever skipper of the expansion Kansas City Royals in 1969. After that, he quit baseball for good, going into semi-retirement, selling real estate, and doing what he loved most, hunting, fishing and golfing. He suffered from heart disease and suffered two heart seizures within a one week span in April of 1978, the second one proving fatal. In 1,566 big league games, Joe Gordon accrued a lifetime batting average of .268 with 1,530 hits, 253 home runs and 975 RBI. He also had 4 home runs and 16 RBIs and a .243 batting average in World Series play. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on December 7, 2008 by the members of the Baseball Veterans Committee.