George Sisler began playing big league baseball with the St. Louis Browns on the pitcher’s mound. The left-hander made 15 appearances on the mound in his first season. In 8 starts and 7 relief appearances he went 4-4 with six complete games and a 2.83 ERA.
Though the numbers were respectable, it was his hitting prowess that helped Sisler become one of the game’s greats.
After hitting .285 in 274 at bats his rookie season, Sisler forced his way into the lineup as the everyday first baseman. Foreshadowing his future as one of the majors top hitters, he hit .305 with an OPS+ of 133 in 1916.
He was just getting started.
In 1917 Sisler broke out. He tallied 190 hits, batted .353 and increased his OPS+ to 161. For the five-year period from 1917-1922, George hit .377 with a .420 on-base percentage.
In 1920 he topped the .400 mark and established the record for most hits in a season with 257. The mark stood throughout Sisler’s life. Eighty-four years after the mark was set it was finally eclipsed by the Mariners Ichiro Suzuki.
Fleet of foot, Sisler led in the AL in stolen bases four times and finished second twice. He was a five-tool player before the term became vogue.
Sisler hit .420 in 1922 to earn the MVP. He joined Ed Delehanty, Jesse Burkett, and Ty Cobb, as the only men to hit over .400 in more than one season. Three years later Rogers Hornsby completed the club of five.
In his first 8 big league seasons through 1922 he slashed .361/.404/.510. A severe bout of sinusitis caused Sisler to miss the entire 1923 season. The infection caused double vision and chronic headaches. Sisler was never the same.
Sisler played another 7 years. Though his average during that time was .320, his on-base and slugging percentages dipped to .354 and .426 respectively. In those final 7 seasons Sisler’s OPS+ was a mere 97.
He left the game in 1930 with 2,812 hits and a .340 lifetime average. Sisler made 24 appearances as a pitcher, posting a 5-6 record with 3 saves, 9 complete games, a shutout, and a 2.35 career ERA.
Sisler was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1939.
In the collection is this government postcard signed by Sisler in January of 1949.