George McBride

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George McBride

Born: November 20, 1880 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Died: July 2, 1973 (aged 92) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 170 lbs.
Position: Shortstop / Manager / Coach

Played For:

As player

Milwaukee Brewers (1901)
Pittsburgh Pirates (1905)
St. Louis Cardinals (1905–1906)
Washington Senators (1908–1920)

As manager

Washington Senators (1921)

As coach

Detroit Tigers (1925–1926, 1929)

Biography:

After stints in semi-pro ball, George Florian “Pinch” McBride joined the Pirates in 1905 but was traded mid-season to the Cardinals. He did not become a regular starter until the 1908 season, when he joined the Senators and became their everyday shortstop. He never hit for a high average (his best season was in 1911 when he hit .235 with 11 doubles and 4 triples), but was very talented with the glove, leading the American League in fielding for four straight seasons (1912 – 1915). He was given the nickname “Pinch” for his ability to hit in the clutch.

Like his contemporary in the National League, Mickey Doolan, George McBride was the prototypical “good-field, no-hit” shortstop during the Deadball Era. Widely viewed as the best defensive shortstop in his league, McBride struggled mightily at the bat. A relatively large shortstop, standing 5’11’ and weighing 170 pounds, McBride was described in the press as an “aggressive, alert, and quick-witted” fielder. He led the AL in fielding percentage five times, including four times consecutively from 1912 to 1915, and was near the lead in most other years. Meanwhile, he achieved only a .218 lifetime batting average, never exceeding .235 for a single season. He was an iron man during his days as the regular shortstop for the Washington Senators, and was recognized as one of the headiest players of his day.

For more info:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_McBride
https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/bb22ca0e