Today in Wheeling History: August 23--Bill George, professional baseball pitcher for the New York Giants and Columbus Solons who also played for Wheeling's minor league teams including the Stogies, National Citys, and Nailers, dies in Wheeling following surgical complications (1916).
William M. "Bill" George was a professional baseball player whose life bridged the Ohio River communities of Bellaire, Ohio and Wheeling, West Virginia. Born January 27, 1865, in Bellaire, George developed into a skilled left-handed pitcher who played for several Wheeling minor league teams, including the Stogies, National Citys, and Nailers, establishing deep roots in the local baseball community.
George's major league career spanned three seasons from 1887 to 1889 with the New York Giants and Columbus Solons. Standing 5'8" and weighing 165 pounds, he compiled a 5-10 pitching record with a 4.51 earned run average while playing both pitcher and outfield positions. His best season came in 1888 when he posted a 2-1 record with a 1.34 ERA.
Following his professional baseball days, George remained a Bellaire resident while maintaining connections to Wheeling. He operated the George Cafe on Belmont Street in Bellaire for two years prior to his death and was an active member of the Bellaire lodge of Elks.
On August 23, 1916, at age 51, the Bellaire resident died at Wheeling Hospital in North Wheeling following complications from a surgical operation. Contemporary newspaper accounts described him as "at one time considered one of the best pitchers in the National League." George was survived by his widow and two daughters: Mrs. Elvin Earl of Parkersburg and Miss Marceline George. His funeral services were conducted at St. John's Catholic Church, with interment at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Wheeling.
To learn more: Wheeling Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/2cdven3k) (https://tinyurl.com/2t9mffu6), Wheeling Daily Register (https://tinyurl.com/yhvkkxyt), Wheeling News-Register (https://tinyurl.com/uyupfjyv), Bill George on Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/enkjfpef) (https://tinyurl.com/yrpta463) (https://tinyurl.com/4hs2aaws) (https://tinyurl.com/4evpmrzx), Find a Grave Memorial for William M. George (https://tinyurl.com/4yamkttb), Baseball Reference (https://tinyurl.com/m5tuehdm), Fangraphs (https://tinyurl.com/spudpts4), Retrosheet (https://tinyurl.com/5e429ra2)
Photo credits: Wheeling Intelligencer, Find a Grave, Wikimedia Commons
William M. "Bill" George was a professional baseball player whose life bridged the Ohio River communities of Bellaire, Ohio and Wheeling, West Virginia. Born January 27, 1865, in Bellaire, George developed into a skilled left-handed pitcher who played for several Wheeling minor league teams, including the Stogies, National Citys, and Nailers, establishing deep roots in the local baseball community.
George's major league career spanned three seasons from 1887 to 1889 with the New York Giants and Columbus Solons. Standing 5'8" and weighing 165 pounds, he compiled a 5-10 pitching record with a 4.51 earned run average while playing both pitcher and outfield positions. His best season came in 1888 when he posted a 2-1 record with a 1.34 ERA.
Following his professional baseball days, George remained a Bellaire resident while maintaining connections to Wheeling. He operated the George Cafe on Belmont Street in Bellaire for two years prior to his death and was an active member of the Bellaire lodge of Elks.
On August 23, 1916, at age 51, the Bellaire resident died at Wheeling Hospital in North Wheeling following complications from a surgical operation. Contemporary newspaper accounts described him as "at one time considered one of the best pitchers in the National League." George was survived by his widow and two daughters: Mrs. Elvin Earl of Parkersburg and Miss Marceline George. His funeral services were conducted at St. John's Catholic Church, with interment at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Wheeling.
To learn more: Wheeling Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/2cdven3k) (https://tinyurl.com/2t9mffu6), Wheeling Daily Register (https://tinyurl.com/yhvkkxyt), Wheeling News-Register (https://tinyurl.com/uyupfjyv), Bill George on Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/enkjfpef) (https://tinyurl.com/yrpta463) (https://tinyurl.com/4hs2aaws) (https://tinyurl.com/4evpmrzx), Find a Grave Memorial for William M. George (https://tinyurl.com/4yamkttb), Baseball Reference (https://tinyurl.com/m5tuehdm), Fangraphs (https://tinyurl.com/spudpts4), Retrosheet (https://tinyurl.com/5e429ra2)
Photo credits: Wheeling Intelligencer, Find a Grave, Wikimedia Commons
RSS Feed