St. Louis Browns utilityman George Elder was born on March 10, 1921, in Lebanon, New York. He was a natural athlete who did not play baseball in high school, but earned nine varsity letters at Fenwick High School in Chicago (four in basketball, three in football, and two in track).
George Elder would go on to Fordham University (1941-43)
St. Louis Browns utilityman George Elder was born on March 10, 1921, in Lebanon, New York. He was a natural athlete who did not play baseball in high school, but earned nine varsity letters at Fenwick High School in Chicago (four in basketball, three in football, and two in track).
George Elder would go on to Fordham University (1941-43) before joining the US Marines in World War II. He would serve as an artillery man with the 11th 155mm Battalion in the Pacific Theater. He would see action in support of the Army's XXIV Corps in the Philippines. His unit was involved in the Battles of Leyte, Palau, Okinawa, and Iwo Jima. While serving in the military he was introduced to baseball, and was strongly encouraged to develop his skills by his commanders.
Elder returned after the war, and entered the University of California at Los Angeles. He excelled in baseball at UCLA, and would eventually be signed by Browns' scouts Jack Fournier and Pug Griffin. The Browns offered him one of the largest signing bonus in club history. Elder would be assigned to the Toledo Mud Hens in 1947-48, and later was promoted to the San Antonio Missions (1948).
He started the 1949 season with the Baltimore Orioles, but a slow start led to a demotion to the Beaumont Explorers. The Browns were looking for some speed and energy in July of 1949, so they brought up George Elder to be a primary pinch runner. He made his MLB debut on July 22, 1949 as a pinch runner for Les Moss, in the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox. His first start in the field came on July 29, when he started in left field and went 1-for-4, including a double and a run scored. He would eventually appear in 41 games for St. Louis, with ten games in left field, 11 games as a pinch runner, and 22 games as a pinch hitter. He would finish the season with 11 hits, three doubles, four walks, and 11 strikeouts in 52 plate appearances. He would score nine runs while driving in two runs on his way to a .250 batting average. It is also important to note that he was perfect in the field, posting a 1.000 fielding percentage in his 19 defensive chances.
A contract dispute with the Browns would lead to a late entry to spring training in 1950. Elder would be assigned to the Wichita Indians, where he batted .282 in 144 games.
George Elder would step away from playing baseball in 1951 and settle down in Santa Monica, California. He would serve his community as a deputy sheriff and court bailiff, while coaching youth baseball. After a successful community servant, George Elder would move to Fruita, Colorado, where he bacame a respected horse trainer and handler.
George Elder lived an amazing life full of incrdible chapters, each different from the next. At the time of his passing (101 years, 119 days), he was oldest living Major League Baseball player, and the oldest living MLB combat veteran. George Elder played his entire baseball career in the Browns organization, and the legacy he left behind was truly spectacular.
Today's Browns Quote
"'Hey Elder! Come here,' rang out a familiar voice as George Elder jogged in from center field after a baseball game between armed forces teams in 1945 in Samoa .... As he left the field, the U.S. Navy officer who called him over said: 'I hear you played football back home? Well, forget about football. Stick with base
Today's Browns Quote
"'Hey Elder! Come here,' rang out a familiar voice as George Elder jogged in from center field after a baseball game between armed forces teams in 1945 in Samoa .... As he left the field, the U.S. Navy officer who called him over said: 'I hear you played football back home? Well, forget about football. Stick with baseball ... when Ted Williams, 'the greatest hitter who ever lived,' tells you to play baseball, you play baseball."
~ George Elder - story told by Joe Vaccarelli, writer for the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, July 2019
BROWNS' BIRTHDAYS ON THIS DAY
1886 - LHP Fred Link (1910)
TRANSACTIONS
1942 - Browns signed free agent catcher Red Hayworth. Hayworth would play for the Dallas Rebels of the Texas League in 1942, before joining the Browns affiliate, Toledo Mud Hens, in 1943. In 1944, he would become the primary catcher for the Browns sharing responsiblilites with veteran Frank Mancuso. He was familiar with the Browns for his brother, catcher Ray Hayworth, would spend a brief time with the Browns in 1942. In his two seasons with the Browns, Hayworth would only hit .212 in 450 plate appearances. He would be the starting catcher for all six games of the 1944 World Series vs the St. Louis Cardinals. He would only hit .121 in the series, but after hitting a double he did score the first run of game for the Browns. After the 1945 season, Hayworth would be one of MLB players that would jump to the new Mexican League where he would player for the Algodoneros de Union Laguna in Torreon, Coahuila.
The Browns lineup in 1928 was lead by one of the best hitters in the game that year. The overall offensive numbers were a drastic improvement from the previous season. Heinie Manush and Lu Blue led this team, as the numbers will clearly show. In comparison to the other American League teams, the Browns made strides up team rankings. Unfor
The Browns lineup in 1928 was lead by one of the best hitters in the game that year. The overall offensive numbers were a drastic improvement from the previous season. Heinie Manush and Lu Blue led this team, as the numbers will clearly show. In comparison to the other American League teams, the Browns made strides up team rankings. Unfortunately, this was the era of the great Yankees teams, and well as the emerging Philadelphia Athletics and young Detroit Tigers.
Batting Leaders
A.L. rankings (#)
Team Statistics:
Player Statistics