Born in Muscatine, Iowa, he was 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) in height and weighed 160 pounds (73 kg).

Gould enjoyed a long career in the minors, mainly playing in the Pacific Coast League (PCL).

His 14 seasons in the PCL produced a win–loss record of 127–134, an earned run average of 4.43, highlighted by leading the league in winning percentage in 1927.

A very good fielder in both the minors and the majors, he twice led the PCL at his position in fielding percentage.

Another highlight of his PCL career took place in 1919, when he pitched two complete game victories in one doubleheader.