Former Gophers first baseman Doug Gillen dead at 89

He was a starter on the 1956 NCAA championship team.

December 9, 2023 at 5:35AM
Former University of Minnesota players from the College World Series champs of 1956-60—64 left to right Jerry Thomas (1956), Bill Davis (1964), Jerry Cawley (1964), Jack McCartan (1956), Doug Gillen (1956), Jim Rantz (1960) and John Anderson (current Gophers coach), posed for a portrait at Seibert Field Wednesday June 25, 2014 in Minneapolis, MN. ] Jerry Holt Jerry.holt@startribune.com
Doug Gillen stood at the Gophers’ Siebert Field in 2014. (Jerry Holt, Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Doug Gillen, the starting first baseman on the 1956 Gophers baseball team that won the College World Series, died on Wednesday at age 89.

Gillen, who graduated from Minneapolis North High School, was a three-year letterwinner for the Gophers. He batted .370 in six games during the 1956 College World Series.

Gillen, who joined the Gophers after serving in the Navy, owned a sporting goods store after graduating from the university.

JOEL RIPPEL

College hockey

Sam Morton and Luc Wilson scored power-play goals in the first period and host Minnesota State Mankato beat St. Thomas 3-1. Mack Byers scored shorthanded for the Tommies.

Ben Steeves scored twice and Minnesota Duluth tied host Miami (Ohio) 3-3. The Bulldogs won a shootout 2-0.

Carter Jones had two goals and an assist as host Bemidji State routed Lake Superior State 7-1.

Verner Miettinen, Ryan Rosborough and Dylan Anhorn scored goals as St. Cloud State beat host Nebraska Omaha 3-1.

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