George Sisler

George Sisler
Birthdate 3/24/1893
Death Date 3/26/1973
Debut Year 1915
Year of Induction 1939
Teams Browns, Dodgers, Senators
Positions First Base, Pitcher

In 1920, George Sisler hit .407 and set the single-season record with 257 hits. His mark stood until Ichiro Suzuki amassed 262 knocks in 2004.

 

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In the collection:

Two of Sisler's five career victories - and his only career shutout - came against Walter Johnson

Two of Sisler's five career victories - and his only career shutout - came against Walter Johnson

By virtue of his two batting crowns and .340 career average George Sisler is remembered today as one of baseball’s most proficient batsmen. One of only five men to top the .400 mark in multiple seasons, he hit .407 in 1920 and .420 two years later. Though Sisler’s achievements as a hitte
George Sisler began his career as a pitcher and finished as a Hall of Fame hitter

George Sisler began his career as a pitcher and finished as a Hall of Fame hitter

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,
After retiring as a player, Sisler remained in the game as a scout and coach

After retiring as a player, Sisler remained in the game as a scout and coach

George Sisler hung up his playing spikes after the 1930 season. In 1939 he was elected to the Hall of Fame. Three years after that General Manager Branch Rickey hired Sisler as a scout for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Sisler stayed in that position throughout the rest of the 40s. In 1947 Rickey asked Sisle
George Sisler set the MLB record for hits in a season and held it throughout his lifetime

George Sisler set the MLB record for hits in a season and held it throughout his lifetime

George Sisler hit .407 in the 1920 season in which he set the Major League record with 257 hits. Gorgeous George lived the rest of his days as the record holder before passing away in March of 1973. Seven months after Sisler died, Ichiro Suzuki was born in Nichi Kasugai-gu, Japan. Suzuki grew up to
By topping the .400 mark in two seasons, Sisler is in elite baseball company

By topping the .400 mark in two seasons, Sisler is in elite baseball company

Boston’s Ted Williams is the last player to hit the mark. The Splendid Splinter hit .406 in 1941. In today’s game with high velocity and relief specialists it’s doubtful baseball will produce another .400 hitter. Not including the Negro Leagues, there have been 27 players to reach
Sisler challenged Cobb for highest lifetime average before the sinus infection

Sisler challenged Cobb for highest lifetime average before the sinus infection

The history of baseball is littered with “what if?” stories. One that is seldom thought of pertains to George Sisler. From 1917 until 1922 when a sinus infection diminished his eyesight and gave him chronic headaches, Sisler hit .377. In the three seasons just before the infection he hit
HoFer Harry Hooper chose Sisler as the best-hitting first baseman of all time

HoFer Harry Hooper chose Sisler as the best-hitting first baseman of all time

When a fan wrote to Hall of Fame outfielder Harry Hooper and asked him to identify his all-time team, Hooper gladly responded. His choices are dominated by former teammates. Red Sox catcher-manager Bill Carrigan was Hooper’s choice for both spots. So too were Boston outfield teammates Tris Spe
Fans wrote to the Sisler family for George's autograph for many years after his death

Fans wrote to the Sisler family for George's autograph for many years after his death

Nearly two years after the death of .400 hitter George Sisler his sons still received requests for pictures and autographs of the Hall of Famer. In the collection is this letter from George Sisler Jr. who at that time was president of the International League. Sisler Jr. writes to collector Jack Mar
George Sisler Jr. is in the International Leauge HoF as an executive

George Sisler Jr. is in the International Leauge HoF as an executive

In the collection is this Hall of Fame plaque postcard of George Sisler. Sisler’s son, George Jr. mentioned the plaque in the previous letter and has signed the back of the card. The younger Sisler made quite a name for himself in baseball. A GM for three Minor League clubs, Sisler won the Int

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"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball…"

~Jacques Barzun, 1954