Sports' Forgotten Heroes

Jim Gilliam was a terrific infielder for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers for 17 years. After starting his career in the Negro Leagues, he followed in the footsteps of his idol, Jackie Robinson. Signed by the Dodgers, like Robinson, he was sent to Montreal to play for the Royals. After a few seasons, he found his way to Brooklyn and was named Rookie of the Year in 1953. Gilliam, a favorite of Dodger manager Walter Alston, was called the ultimate team player. No matter where Alston needed him to play, Gilliam was up to the task. He was a terrific fielder and a career .266 hitter. Interestingly, though, Gilliam was always on the trading block and rarely got an opening day start because the Dodgers always thought they had someone better. But they didn't, and through it all, Gilliam was one of the most reliable infielders the team ever had. He played in seven World Series for the Dodgers and won four of them. He was so integral to the Dodgers' success that twice he was called out of retirement to help the tea