Gillespie is one of many ballplayers who only appeared in the major leagues during World War II. He may be best known for being a key reserve on the last Chicago Cubs team to win a National League pennant (1945). That was his best season, as he got into 75 games and hit .288 with 3 home runs, 25 runs batted in, and 12 runs scored. He played great defense, making just 2 errors in 45 appearances at catcher. Playing in three out of seven games of the 1945 World Series, he went 0-for-6.\n', '

Other notable accomplishments for Gillespie include hitting a home run in his first major league at bat. This took place against the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds on September 11, 1942. He also hit a home run in his final major league at bat: September 29, 1945 against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Forbes Field. Gillespie, along with John Miller (1966–1969) are the only two players in major league history to do both.\n', '

His career totals for 89 games include a .283 batting average (58-for-205), 6 HR, 31 RBI, 17 runs scored, a .358 on-base percentage, and a .405 slugging percentage. In 56 appearances as a catcher his fielding percentage was .978, which was exactly the league\'s average during the time he played.\n', '

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