Major League Baseball Player. He was a star quarterback-halfback at the University of Minnesota and finished second to Notre Dame's Johnny Lattner in the 1953 Heisman Trophy voting. The 5-foot-11 Giel received the most points (1,794) and the most first-place votes (366, Lattner had 388) for any second-place finisher. He passed or ran for 35 touchdowns and 4,110 yards and twice was named Big Ten Conference Most Valuable Player. The two-time All-American was United Press International Player of the Year and the Associated Press Back of the Year in 1953. He, too, played defense, making tackles and pass interceptions (7), punted and returned punts and kicks. He also was a baseball All-American and upon graduation signed a bonus contract with the New York Giants. The right-handed pitcher was in the big leagues on a limited scale with the Giants (1954-55), San Francisco Giants (1958), Pittsburgh Pirates (1959-60), Minnesota Twins (1961) and for one game with the Kansas City Athletics in 1961. His lifetime record was 11-9 with a 5.39 earned run average. He was athletic director at his alma mater for 18 years from 1971-88. His No. 10 football jersey was retired in halftime ceremonies on Sept. 24, 1991 during a game with the University of Pittsburgh.
Major League Baseball Player. He was a star quarterback-halfback at the University of Minnesota and finished second to Notre Dame's Johnny Lattner in the 1953 Heisman Trophy voting. The 5-foot-11 Giel received the most points (1,794) and the most first-place votes (366, Lattner had 388) for any second-place finisher. He passed or ran for 35 touchdowns and 4,110 yards and twice was named Big Ten Conference Most Valuable Player. The two-time All-American was United Press International Player of the Year and the Associated Press Back of the Year in 1953. He, too, played defense, making tackles and pass interceptions (7), punted and returned punts and kicks. He also was a baseball All-American and upon graduation signed a bonus contract with the New York Giants. The right-handed pitcher was in the big leagues on a limited scale with the Giants (1954-55), San Francisco Giants (1958), Pittsburgh Pirates (1959-60), Minnesota Twins (1961) and for one game with the Kansas City Athletics in 1961. His lifetime record was 11-9 with a 5.39 earned run average. He was athletic director at his alma mater for 18 years from 1971-88. His No. 10 football jersey was retired in halftime ceremonies on Sept. 24, 1991 during a game with the University of Pittsburgh.
Bio by: Ron Coons
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