What many overlook about George Sisler is not only was he one of the game’s early great hitters, but he was also a two way player out of the University of Michigan, pitching somewhat regularly his first two pro seasons.
He was born on March 24, 1893, in Manchester, Ohio and played for the St. Louis Browns and Washington Senators from 1915 to 1930.
Sisler is widely regarded as one of the greatest first basemen in baseball history.
In 1920, Sisler had a record-setting season, hitting .407 with 257 hits, a record that stood until 2004. He also led the league in stolen bases that year with 42. He was named the American League’s Most Valuable Player in 1922.
During his career, he batted .340 or higher seven times and won two batting titles. He also had an impressive 41-game hitting streak in 1922, a record that stood until Joe DiMaggio broke it in 1941.
A skilled base runner, he led the league in stolen bases 4 time. And, look here, he was an early shoe endorser.
According to the Baseball Hall of Fame, “Ty Cobb, an American League rival for many years, once called Sisler “the nearest thing to a perfect ballplayer” he had ever seen.”
He was such a fan favorite in St. Louis with make and female fans he got the moniker “Gorgeous George”
Sisler’s career was cut short by injury, and he retired in 1930 with a career batting average of .340, 2,812 hits, and 1,175 runs batted in. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939.
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