Sisler, George
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| − | '''George Harold Sisler''' (March 24, 1893 - March 26, 1973), nicknamed "Gorgeous George," was an [[United States|American]] star [[first baseman|first basemen]] in [[Major League Baseball]] | + | '''George Harold Sisler''' (March 24, 1893 - March 26, 1973), nicknamed "Gorgeous George," was an [[United States|American]] star [[first baseman|first basemen]] in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB). [[Ty Cobb]] called him ''the nearest thing to a perfect ballplayer''. He is widely regarded as having been one of the greatest players in [[Baltimore Orioles|St. Louis Browns]] history and was elected to the [[Baseball Hall of Fame]] in 1939. |
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| + | Although his career ended in 1930, from 1920 until 2004, Sisler held the MLB record for most hits in a single season. | ||
An unheralded superstar of the 1920's he was a versatile player: a skilled [[pitcher]], a fearsome hitter (.340 lifetime average, batting over .400 twice) and, later, an excellent [[first baseman]], the first to be inducted into the [[Baseball Hall of Fame]] (1939). Afterward, he moved into management and scouted (and gave batting training to) [[Jackie Robinson]]. | An unheralded superstar of the 1920's he was a versatile player: a skilled [[pitcher]], a fearsome hitter (.340 lifetime average, batting over .400 twice) and, later, an excellent [[first baseman]], the first to be inducted into the [[Baseball Hall of Fame]] (1939). Afterward, he moved into management and scouted (and gave batting training to) [[Jackie Robinson]]. | ||
==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
| − | Born in the unincorporated hamlet of Manchester, Ohio, which is about 12 miles south of [[Akron, Ohio|Akron]], in Summit County and having played college ball for coach [[Branch Rickey]] at the [[University of Michigan]], where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering, Sisler came into the major leagues as a pitcher for the [[St. Louis Browns]] in | + | Born in the unincorporated hamlet of Manchester, [[Ohio]], which is about 12 miles south of [[Akron, Ohio|Akron]], in Summit County and having played college ball for coach [[Branch Rickey]] at the [[University of Michigan]], where he earned a degree in [[mechanical engineering]], Sisler came into the major leagues as a pitcher for the [[St. Louis Browns]] in 1915. He signed as a [[free agent]] after the minor league contract he had signed as a minor four years earlier, and which the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] had purchased, was declared void. The following year he switched to [[first base]]; like [[Babe Ruth]], he was too good a hitter to be limited to hitting once every four days. He posted a record of 5-6 with a 2.35 [[earned run average]] in 24 career mound appearances, twice defeating [[Walter Johnson]] in complete game victories. |
| + | In 1918 Sisler joined the Chemical Corps (known at that time as the Chemical Warfare Service (CWS) during [[World War I]]. He was commissioned a second lieutenant and assigned to Camp Humphries, [[Virginia]]. Also with CWS were [[Branch Rickey]], [[Ty Cobb]], [[Christy Mathewson]], and [[Perry Haughton]] (president of the Boston Bravces) were sent to [[France]]. Just as Sisler was preparing to deploy overseas, the armistice was signed on November 11. Sisler was subsequently discharged from the CWS.<ref>[http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-137875685.html Remembering baseball hall of famers who served in the Chemical Corps] ''Encyclopedia.com.'' Retrieved December 22, 2007.</ref> | ||
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| + | ==Career== | ||
{{MLB HoF}} | {{MLB HoF}} | ||
| − | In | + | In 1920 Sisler had a dream year. He not only played every inning of each game, but [[stolen base|stole]] 42 bases (second in the [[American League]]), collected 257 [[hit (baseball statistics)|hits]] for an [[batting average|average]] of .407, and ended the season by hitting .442 in August and .448 in September. In breaking Cobb's 1911 record for hits in a single season, Sisler established a mark until 2004. In addition Sisler finished second in the American League (AL) that year in [[double (baseball)|doubles]] and [[triple (baseball)|triples]], as well as second to [[Babe Ruth]] in [[Run batted in|RBIs]] and [[home run|homers]]. |
| − | Sisler did even better in | + | Sisler did even better in 1922, hitting safely in 41 consecutive games - an American League record that stood until [[Joe DiMaggio]] broke it in [[1941]]. His .420 batting average is the third-highest of the Twentieth Century, surpassed only by [[Rogers Hornsby]]'s .424 in 1924 and [[Nap Lajoie]]'s .426 in 1901. He was chosen as the AL's Most Valuable Player that year, the first year an official league award was given. One of the rare first basemen who were also a threat on the basepaths, Sisler stole over 25 bases in every year from 1916 to 1922, peaking with 51 the last year and leading the league three times; he also scored an AL-best 134 runs, and hit 18 triples for the third year in a row. |
[[Image:15sisler.gif|thumb|left|1915 M101-5 George Sisler]] | [[Image:15sisler.gif|thumb|left|1915 M101-5 George Sisler]] | ||
| − | In | + | In 1923 a severe attack of [[sinusitis]] caused him to see double, forcing him to miss the entire season. The inflamed sinuses put pressure on his eyes, and surgery was required. The surgery was performed in April, but Sisler had to wear dark glasses through the summer, and afterwards he always squinted to keep the light affecting his eyes at a minimum. Frustrated at the slow pace of recovery, Sisler began to blame his doctors for his condition, and he embraced [[Christian Science]].<ref>Meckler, Michael. 2005. [http://michaelmeckler.com/books/review_062705.html Review of ''The Sizzler: George Sisler, Baseball's Forgotten Great''] ''Michaelmeckler.com.'' Retrieved December 22, 2007.</ref> |
| − | + | While Sisler continued to hit over .300 after he returned in 1924, he never regained the level of brilliance he had enjoyed before. Even so, he continued to hit over .300 in six of his last seven seasons, and led the AL in stolen bases for a fourth time in 1927. | |
| − | Sisler's | + | In 1928 the [[St. Louis Browns]] sold Sisler's contract to the [[Minnesota Twins|Washington Senators]], who in turn sold the contract to the [[Atlanta Braves|Boston Braves]] in May. After batting .340, .326 and .309 in his three years in [[Boston]], he ended his major league career with the Braves in 1930, then played in the minor leagues. He accumulated a .340 lifetime batting average over his fifteen years in the majors. He stole 375 bases during his career. He was elected to the [[Baseball Hall of Fame]] in 1939. Outside of [[St. Louis]]' [[Busch Stadium]] there is a [[statue]] honoring Sisler. |
George Sisler died in [[Richmond Heights, Missouri]] at age 80. | George Sisler died in [[Richmond Heights, Missouri]] at age 80. | ||
| − | + | ==Legacy== | |
| + | Sisler's legacy was confirmed in 1999, when two significant polls were conducted. That year, Sisler received the 8th most votes of any First Baseman in the poll for the Major League Baseball ''All-Century Team'', a poll voted on by fans. Also in 1999, editors at the ''[[The Sporting News]]''' named Sisler the 33rd best player on their list of ''Baseball's 100 Greatest Players''. | ||
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Sisler's sons, Dick and Dave, were also major league players in the 1950s; another son, George Jr., was played in the minor leagues and later was the International League president. | Sisler's sons, Dick and Dave, were also major league players in the 1950s; another son, George Jr., was played in the minor leagues and later was the International League president. | ||
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*[http://www.thedeadballera.com/Obits/Sisler.George.Obit.html "The Obit for George Sisler"], ''The Deadball Era'', Retrieved June 1, 2007. | *[http://www.thedeadballera.com/Obits/Sisler.George.Obit.html "The Obit for George Sisler"], ''The Deadball Era'', Retrieved June 1, 2007. | ||
===Articles=== | ===Articles=== | ||
| − | *Vass, George. 2005. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCI/is_7_64/ai_n15378930 Remarkable one-season performances] ''Findarticles.com.'' (Baseball Digest) Retrieved December 22, 2007. | + | *Vass, George. 2005. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCI/is_7_64/ai_n15378930 Remarkable one-season performances] ''Findarticles.com.'' (Baseball Digest) Retrieved December 22, 2007. |
| + | *Lane, F.C. 1929. [http://urbanshocker.net/articles/george_sisler.htm Did the American League Blunder?] ''Urbanshocker.net.'' (Baseball Magazine) Retrieved December 22, 2007. | ||
{{start box}} | {{start box}} | ||
Revision as of 03:45, 22 December 2007
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| Personal Info | |
|---|---|
| Birth | March 24, 1893, Manchester, Ohio |
| Death: | March 26, 1973, Richmond Heights, Missouri |
| Professional Career | |
| Debut | June 28, 1915, St. Louis Browns |
| Team(s) | As Player St. Louis Browns(1915-1922, 1924-1927) Washington Senators (1928) Boston Braves (1928-1930) |
| HOF induction: | 1939, St. Louis Browns |
| Career Highlights | |
| American League MVP: 1922 [1] | |
George Harold Sisler (March 24, 1893 - March 26, 1973), nicknamed "Gorgeous George," was an American star first basemen in Major League Baseball (MLB). Ty Cobb called him the nearest thing to a perfect ballplayer. He is widely regarded as having been one of the greatest players in St. Louis Browns history and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939.
Although his career ended in 1930, from 1920 until 2004, Sisler held the MLB record for most hits in a single season.
An unheralded superstar of the 1920's he was a versatile player: a skilled pitcher, a fearsome hitter (.340 lifetime average, batting over .400 twice) and, later, an excellent first baseman, the first to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame (1939). Afterward, he moved into management and scouted (and gave batting training to) Jackie Robinson.
Early life
Born in the unincorporated hamlet of Manchester, Ohio, which is about 12 miles south of Akron, in Summit County and having played college ball for coach Branch Rickey at the University of Michigan, where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering, Sisler came into the major leagues as a pitcher for the St. Louis Browns in 1915. He signed as a free agent after the minor league contract he had signed as a minor four years earlier, and which the Pittsburgh Pirates had purchased, was declared void. The following year he switched to first base; like Babe Ruth, he was too good a hitter to be limited to hitting once every four days. He posted a record of 5-6 with a 2.35 earned run average in 24 career mound appearances, twice defeating Walter Johnson in complete game victories.
In 1918 Sisler joined the Chemical Corps (known at that time as the Chemical Warfare Service (CWS) during World War I. He was commissioned a second lieutenant and assigned to Camp Humphries, Virginia. Also with CWS were Branch Rickey, Ty Cobb, Christy Mathewson, and Perry Haughton (president of the Boston Bravces) were sent to France. Just as Sisler was preparing to deploy overseas, the armistice was signed on November 11. Sisler was subsequently discharged from the CWS.[2]
Career
|
| George Sisler is a member of Baseball Hall of Fame |
In 1920 Sisler had a dream year. He not only played every inning of each game, but stole 42 bases (second in the American League), collected 257 hits for an average of .407, and ended the season by hitting .442 in August and .448 in September. In breaking Cobb's 1911 record for hits in a single season, Sisler established a mark until 2004. In addition Sisler finished second in the American League (AL) that year in doubles and triples, as well as second to Babe Ruth in RBIs and homers.
Sisler did even better in 1922, hitting safely in 41 consecutive games - an American League record that stood until Joe DiMaggio broke it in 1941. His .420 batting average is the third-highest of the Twentieth Century, surpassed only by Rogers Hornsby's .424 in 1924 and Nap Lajoie's .426 in 1901. He was chosen as the AL's Most Valuable Player that year, the first year an official league award was given. One of the rare first basemen who were also a threat on the basepaths, Sisler stole over 25 bases in every year from 1916 to 1922, peaking with 51 the last year and leading the league three times; he also scored an AL-best 134 runs, and hit 18 triples for the third year in a row.
In 1923 a severe attack of sinusitis caused him to see double, forcing him to miss the entire season. The inflamed sinuses put pressure on his eyes, and surgery was required. The surgery was performed in April, but Sisler had to wear dark glasses through the summer, and afterwards he always squinted to keep the light affecting his eyes at a minimum. Frustrated at the slow pace of recovery, Sisler began to blame his doctors for his condition, and he embraced Christian Science.[3]
While Sisler continued to hit over .300 after he returned in 1924, he never regained the level of brilliance he had enjoyed before. Even so, he continued to hit over .300 in six of his last seven seasons, and led the AL in stolen bases for a fourth time in 1927.
In 1928 the St. Louis Browns sold Sisler's contract to the Washington Senators, who in turn sold the contract to the Boston Braves in May. After batting .340, .326 and .309 in his three years in Boston, he ended his major league career with the Braves in 1930, then played in the minor leagues. He accumulated a .340 lifetime batting average over his fifteen years in the majors. He stole 375 bases during his career. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939. Outside of St. Louis' Busch Stadium there is a statue honoring Sisler.
George Sisler died in Richmond Heights, Missouri at age 80.
Legacy
Sisler's legacy was confirmed in 1999, when two significant polls were conducted. That year, Sisler received the 8th most votes of any First Baseman in the poll for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team, a poll voted on by fans. Also in 1999, editors at the The Sporting News' named Sisler the 33rd best player on their list of Baseball's 100 Greatest Players.
Sisler's sons, Dick and Dave, were also major league players in the 1950s; another son, George Jr., was played in the minor leagues and later was the International League president.
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Baseball Reference Retrieved June 20, 2007.
- ↑ Remembering baseball hall of famers who served in the Chemical Corps Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved December 22, 2007.
- ↑ Meckler, Michael. 2005. Review of The Sizzler: George Sisler, Baseball's Forgotten Great Michaelmeckler.com. Retrieved December 22, 2007.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Sisler, George. 1954. Sisler on Baseball; a manual for players and coaches. with a foreword by Branch Rickey. New York: D. McKay Co. OCLC 1483217
- Sisler, George. 1988. How to raise your batting average. [S.l.]: Horton Pub. Co. ISBN 0944786243
- Sisler, George. 1934. The knack of batting and how to select and care for your bat. Louisville, KY: Hillerich & Bradsby Co. Inc. OCLC 36243983
- Huhn, Rick. 2004. The Sizzler: George Sisler, baseball's forgotten great. Sports and American culture series. Columbia, MO: University of Missouri Press. ISBN 0826215556
External links
- Official George Sisler website Cmgww.com. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
- "George Sisler Biography", National Baseball Hall of Fame, Retrieved June 1, 2007.
- George Sisler Thebaseballpage.com. Retrieved December 22, 2007.
- "George Sisler Statistics", Baseball-Reference.com, Retrieved June 1, 2007.
- How Good was George Sisler? Baseballpiggies.blogspot.com. Retrieved December 22, 2007.
- "The Obit for George Sisler", The Deadball Era, Retrieved June 1, 2007.
Articles
- Vass, George. 2005. Remarkable one-season performances Findarticles.com. (Baseball Digest) Retrieved December 22, 2007.
- Lane, F.C. 1929. Did the American League Blunder? Urbanshocker.net. (Baseball Magazine) Retrieved December 22, 2007.
| Preceded by: Ty Cobb |
American League Batting Champion 1920 |
Succeeded by: Harry Heilmann |
| Preceded by: Harry Heilmann |
American League Batting Champion 1922 |
Succeeded by: Harry Heilmann |
| Preceded by: Eddie Collins |
American League Most Valuable Player 1922 |
Succeeded by: Babe Ruth |
| Preceded by: Jimmy Austin |
St. Louis Browns Manager 1924-1926 |
Succeeded by: Dan Howley |
| Preceded by: Ty Cobb |
Single season base hit record holders |
Succeeded by: Ichiro Suzuki |
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