Sisler, George (1893-1973), was one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. In 15 seasons in the major leagues, Sisler compiled a career batting average of .340. He led the American League in batting twice, hitting .407 in 1920 and .420 in 1922. His 257 hits in 1920 was a major league record for a single season until Ichiro Suzuki broke it with 262 hits in 2004. Sisler was also one of the best-fielding first basemen of his day, leading the American League in assists six times. Sisler was the league’s Most Valuable Player in 1922.
George Harold Sisler was born in Manchester, Ohio, on March 24, 1893. He began his baseball career as a pitcher with the St. Louis Browns in 1915. However, Sisler was such an outstanding hitter that he was converted to a first baseman so he could play every day. Sisler missed the 1923 season because of a vision problem. He was player-manager for the Browns from 1924 to 1926. Sisler ended his career with the Boston Braves of the National League in 1930.
Sisler’s three sons also had baseball careers. Dick Sisler was a major league outfielder and first baseman from 1946 to 1953 and a manager in 1964 and 1965. Dave Sisler pitched in the major leagues from 1956 to 1962. George Sisler, Jr., was president of the International League, a Class AAA minor league, from 1966 to 1976. The senior George Sisler was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939. He died on March 26, 1973.
