George Maisel

For most of his 16-season professional baseball career, George Maisel distinguished himself as a fleet center fielder who made many circus catches. He compiled a .282 major-league batting average with the St. Louis Browns, Detroit Tigers, and Chicago Cubs. But illness, injuries, and World War I combined to limit him to just 168 games over parts of four seasons (1913, 1916, 1921-22).

George John Maisel was born on March 12, 1892, in Catonsville, Maryland, about 10 miles west of Baltimore. His grandparents all came from Germany. His father, Christian, was a carpenter who married the former Eleanora Dill and sired 11 children, nine of whom lived to adulthood. George was the fifth of their six sons; number four was Fritz, who also went on the majors.

The Maisel surname first appeared in the Baltimore Sun’s local baseball coverage in 1899.1 It wasn’t always clear who, exactly, was playing—most of George’s brothers played amateur ball. They also had an uncle named George.2 A cousin, Charles, caught one game for the Federal League’s Baltimore Terrapins in 1915. According to the 1910 census, Maisel families occupied five consecutive homes on Ingleside Avenue in Catonsville.

George, the future big-leaguer, started his sandlot career on the baseball field at the Volunteer Oval on Edmonson Avenue.3 In 1906 he played center field for a teenage team called the Elwood Athletic Club.4 By fall 1907 Maisel was identified as a member of Baltimore’s prestigious amateur Manhattan Athletic Club squad.5 After he got two hits and scored twice for the Manhattans in May 1908, the Sun reported, “George Maisel played excellent ball, both in left field and at the bat, while his brother Fritz covered himself with glory at shortstop.”6

Some of the Manhattans’ games were contested at Goose Hill University, an elevated area at the corner of Lafayette Avenue and Bentalou Street in West Baltimore that had three baseball diamonds. It was called “Goose Hill” because players had to chase geese away before games could begin, and “University” because of the frequent presence of informal instructors, such as former major-leaguer Bill Keister.7

Maisel pitched his Catonsville Combinations neighborhood club to at least one victory in 1910.8 He spent 1911 as the primary first baseman for the Maryland Athletic Club team.9 That fall he signed his first professional contract, with Jack Dunn, manager of the Baltimore Orioles of the Class A Eastern League.10

The Orioles already featured Fritz Maisel—a 5-foot-7 future American League stolen base champion. Although George stood 5-foot-10 and weighed 180 pounds, the Sun noted the following spring, “George moves exactly like Fritz. He has the same sort of legs, is fast, and apparently has all the confidence that has characterized the work of his little [smaller, not younger] brother.”11

In March 1912 Dunn remarked, “That George Maisel certainly looks good … He is Hans Wagner all over again. Just look at his speed, his arm, those large, tough hands and the way he figures out things for himself … He stands up there like a veteran and hits the ball hard. His pose is natural, and he hits freely. I tell you he will certainly make a great star.”12

Maisel was sent to the Class B Tri-State League to begin his professional career with the Harrisburg (Pennsylvania) Senators. In 107 games, he batted .292. His 42 stolen bases ranked second in the circuit in 1912.13 On September 2 Maisel joined the Orioles—by then a Class AA International League (IL) club—for a doubleheader. He had two hits and scored four runs on his first day with the team. He swiped one base in the opener, while Fritz nabbed two in the nightcap. “Go to Catonsville for speed,” Dunn quipped.14

Although George Maisel batted just .253 in 21 contests for Baltimore, the Orioles were dismayed to learn on September 16 that he’d been drafted by the AL’s St. Louis Browns.15 A college professor had seen Maisel play for Harrisburg and recommended him to Browns owner Robert Hedges. Hedges, believing Maisel could be the next Tris Speaker, put in a claim.16 The Orioles protested but, after an investigation, the National Baseball Commission ruled on October 4: “[Maisel] was sold by Baltimore to Harrisburg under an optional agreement. The option was exercised, but the player did not report to the Baltimore club 20 days before the major-league drafting season. The draft by the St. Louis club from Harrisburg is, therefore, held to be valid.”17 At the winter meetings in Chicago, Philadelphia Athletics manager Connie Mack made the Browns an offer for Maisel, promising to keep him in the majors all season should St. Louis not have room for him.18

Maisel reported late to the Browns’ training camp in 1913, because he was recovering from the grippe.19 Nevertheless, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported, “His fleetness may win him a job even if he is a few chips shy on hitting.”20 Maisel opened the season with the Browns and debuted on May 1 at Sportsman’s Park, striking out as a pinch-hitter against the Cleveland Naps’ Cy Falkenberg to end a 3–1 defeat. In his next appearance nine days later, Maisel pinch-hit against Athletics southpaw Eddie Plank and was struck out by the future Hall of Famer. With the Washington Senators in town on May 14, Maisel replaced Johnny Johnston in left field after the Browns fell behind by eight runs. Facing reliever Joe Boehling, Maisel notched his first two hits: a single and a double.

Before May was over Maisel started twice in center field, but he batted just .167 (3-for-18) in 11 games overall. The Browns released him to the Orioles on June 13. On July 11 the Sun reported that Maisel had been at his parents’ home for several weeks, recovering from stomach trouble.21 Four days later, another newspaper said he had been ill with malaria all season.22 Maisel took only 92 at-bats in 35 games for Baltimore in 1913, hitting .250.

On October 17 the Sun detailed homecoming events to celebrate Fritz Maisel’s success as a New York Yankees rookie. The same page noted that George had undergone an unspecified operation.23 The evening edition of the paper brought reports of George’s sale to the Scranton (Pennsylvania) Miners of the Class B New York State League.24 “The hitting of Maisel did not please Dunn and he decided to cut the strings on Fritz’s brother,” one article explained. 25

Maisel had throat surgery in March 1914.26 A month later he developed an infection and doctors considered performing another operation.27Maisel was still in Baltimore when Scranton’s season started. He worked out with the Orioles despite being afflicted with boils on his swollen neck.28 He finally reported to the Miners in mid-May.29

In June Maisel robbed a Utica Utes hitter of extra bases with a diving grab that Scranton’s Tribune said, “was easily one of the best ever seen in this or any other league and the crowd didn’t forget to give the center fielder the hand when he came to the bench.”30 Later that week, the same paper described another outstanding play against the Wilkes-Barre Barons, “Maisel came running in after the ball at full speed. He tumbled to terra firma in fielding it, but he came up with Reach [the baseball] grasped in his mitts.”31

In 92 games with the Miners, Maisel batted .261. But he went home before the end of August, “suffering with a general breakdown.” The Sun cited years of poor health and “several operations for an affection of his head.”32

By early 1915 he had improved. “Maisel weighs at least 15 more pounds than he did a year ago and seems more active in every way,” read one April report. “The player himself says he feels like a different man.”33 By the final week of July, Maisel was batting .340 for Scranton, and multiple major-league teams sought to acquire him. New York Yankees pitcher Ray Keating watched Maisel triple and homer against the Elmira Colonels, then met with him at the Hotel Casey.34 That happened just days after Maisel had three hits and stole three bases against the Albany Senators with Detroit Tigers scout Mike Dwyer in attendance. The Cincinnati Reds reportedly wanted Maisel, too.35

However, Miners skipper Bill Coughlin had played part of his big-league career under Detroit Tigers manager Hughie Jennings. That, combined with Jennings’ offseason residency in Scranton, gave Detroit the inside track.36 On August 2 Maisel was sold to the Tigers for $3,000.37

“Maisel is a born ball player, possessing all the kinds of talent looking to success in the ‘big show,’” raved the Tribune. “He can hit the ball; he can run bases better than any other man in the league … In addition, he is a quiet, modest young man who has won the good will of all of the local ‘fans.’”38 Maisel finished the season with Scranton and batted .316 in 111 games. He didn’t show much power—10 doubles, eight triples and three homers in 416 at-bats—but he led the league in steals with 44.39 The Tribune noted his “grass sliding catches, plays that no other State league fly chaser ever attempts, and plays that have robbed opposing batsmen of numerous extra base hits.”40

Despite Maisel’s sale to Detroit, one Federal League club continued to pursue him. “I understand Maisel is a star, but even so he has no chance to oust [Tigers outfielders Sam] Crawford, Ty] Cobb and [Bobby] Veach,” explained Brooklyn Tip-Tops business manager Dick Carroll. “Hence I think he will listen to an offer.”41 But Maisel practiced playing third base with Coughlin in anticipation of spelling Detroit’s Ossie Vitt at that position.42 After Scranton’s season ended, he was on his way to New York to join the Tigers when he received Jennings’ request not to report until the following spring.43

Maisel spent his offseason farming in Maryland.44 In October he joined an All-Star team in Baltimore for a fundraiser at the St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys that was attended by an estimated 8,000. It was organized by the institution’s most famous alum, Boston Red Sox pitcher Babe Ruth. Fritz Maisel was part of the squad, George went 5-for-5 with two doubles, and their cousin Charles caught Ruth.45

In 1916 George Maisel was part of Detroit’s season-opening roster. Between April 23 and May 5, he saw action in eight games, including five pinch-running appearances and two starts at third base. Overall he went 0-for-5 with two runs scored before he was farmed out to the Montreal Royals of the IL on May 13.46 Maisel batted .296 in 115 games with Montreal while playing all four infield positions in addition to the outfield.47 That fall Detroit sold Maisel to the San Francisco Seals of the Class AA Pacific Coast League (PCL).48 Under a “gentleman’s agreement,” the Tigers could get him back if they wanted him.49

Maisel wasn’t willing to play on the west coast under the initial contract that the Seals sent him, so he insisted on a trade or a raise. But when the team offered more money, he rejected that, too.50 Eventually Maisel agreed to terms for 1917 and batted .308 in 169 games for San Francisco. He also swiped 39 bases.51 While attempting a diving catch on August 19, he chipped a bone in his throwing shoulder and was unable to move his arm for several weeks. “The Seals miss him sadly, for he is of the hustling type of player that makes a winning club,” noted the San Francisco Chronicle.52 The Seals won the PCL pennant with a 119-83 record, and Maisel was back in center field for the clinching victory.53

The Tigers recalled Maisel, intending to give him a chance to return to the majors in 1918.54 However, the Great War that later became known as World War I was raging, and a Baltimore County draft board pronounced Maisel fit for service in January.55 On the first weekend in March, he reported to the Presidio of San Francisco for duty at the Letterman Army Hospital.56

Maisel drove an ambulance for a hospital unit but quickly realized he also would be part of a strong baseball squad that featured former big-leaguers Jack Killilay, Jim Galloway, and Pep Goodwin.57 The March 31 edition of the Detroit Free Press reported that Maisel wrote to former teammate Eric Erickson frequently, promising easy duty should he enlist in the army and pitch for Letterman.58 Erickson opted to remain with the Tigers, but Letterman boasted other hurlers, such as Lefty Leverenz and Carl Zamloch.59

Letterman beat a Navy club to win the service championship.60 Maisel continued to play dazzling defense. One August game story included this description: “Maisel ran 50 yards and, stooping, picked the ball off his shoe tops.”61

With the war won the army discharged Corporal Maisel in February 1919.62 Within weeks he learned that the Tigers had released him to the Portland Beavers of the PCL.63 In March he testified in Washington, DC, as part of a lawsuit against the established major leagues and certain former Federal League officials by the defunct Baltimore Terrapins. Maisel explained that he had only two options under Organized Baseball’s rules after receiving an unsatisfactory contract offer from a west coast-based team: accept it or quit playing.64

When the 1919 PCL season began, Maisel was playing for the semipro Baltimore Dry Docks and Shipbuilding Company team instead.65 But he relented and headed west in the first week of May.66 On August 4 the Los Angeles Times reported that Reds manager Pat Moran had wired one of his former players, the Seals’ Justin Fitzgerald, instructing him to land Maisel for Cincinnati at any price. Maisel was sidelined with an injury, though, so the article noted, “If the Reds win the flag, Maisel will charge the loss of a couple of thousand dollars to his knee.”67 (One week later the Reds purchased Class A outfielder Pat Duncan, who wound up starting all eight World Series games in which Cincinnati defeated the infamous 1919 Chicago White Sox.68) Maisel remained with Portland and hit .263 in 104 games.

Maisel returned to Portland in 1920 as the captain under manager Walt McCredie. The players spent most of their off days fishing for salmon.69 Maisel recorded 203 hits and batted .323, but the Beavers finished last.

That fall McCredie told the press that Maisel was negotiating with New York Giants manager John McGraw to join that NL franchise.70 Meanwhile Tigers President Frank Navin told McCredie to send Maisel to the San Francisco Seals as a partial payment for Detroit’s acquisition of southpaw Bert Cole.71 However, on December 9, McCredie surprised nearly everyone by selling Maisel to the Chicago Cubs. Navin accused McCredie of violating their “gentleman’s agreement,” and Cubs secretary John Seyes felt obliged to remark that his organization had acted in good faith.72

Maisel had been recommended to Chicago by the player-manager for the PCL’s Los Angeles Angels, Wade Killefer, the brother of Cubs catcher Bill Killefer.73 One particular spring training performance made believers out of Maisel’s new teammates. During Chicago’s 7–5 exhibition victory on March 24 in Los Angeles, “Three times he took high drives to extinguish Vernon [Tigers] batsmen. Once he tipped over backwards and twice skidded along on his bosom to tackle low liners. Each time he came up with the ball.”74 When a reporter asked Cubs owner William Wrigley what another team would have to offer to acquire Maisel, he joked, “A million dollars.”75

On Opening Day 1921 Maisel was in Chicago manager Johnny Evers’ lineup, playing center field and batting fifth against St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Jesse Haines at Cubs Park. Maisel singled, was hit by a pitch, and scored once in Chicago’s 5–2 victory. Maisel wound up starting 105 of the Cubs’ 153 games.

In the first of his three four-hit performances, against the Brooklyn Robins on June 3, Maisel notched two RBIs and scored three times—once on a steal of home—in Chicago’s 8–3 triumph. At the Baker Bowl in Philadelphia on July 20, he went 5-for-5 while driving in or scoring half of the Cubs’ 10 runs.

A right-handed hitter, Maisel displayed a reverse platoon split—pounding righty pitchers for a .362 batting average, compared with a .257 mark against lefties. Overall he batted .310, with just 13 strikeouts in 393 at-bats, making him the ninth-toughest NL batter to fan that season. Among the circuit’s center fielders, only Cincinnati’s Edd Roush (.980) compiled a better fielding percentage than Maisel’s .978. Maisel’s 17 steals tied Max Flack for the Cubs’ lead, but his nine extra-base hits (seven doubles and two triples) and 11 walks were the lowest figures among the team’s regulars.

The Cubs finished in seventh place with the franchise’s worst winning percentage (.418) in the 45 seasons from 1902 to 1946. That winter, they swapped five players to Los Angeles of the PCL for 20-game winner Vic Aldridge and centerfielder Jigger Statz. Left fielder Hack Miller was acquired from the PCL’s Oakland Oaks in another transaction.

Maisel returned to the Cubs for a $4,000 salary76 in 1922, but with Statz and Miller in the fold, he started only four of the first 34 games. Maisel’s sixth-inning single off Eppa Rixey in the first game of a doubleheader at Redland Field on May 26 was just his third hit of the season. The Cubs’ Zeb Terry followed by grounding a potential double-play ball to Cincinnati second baseman Sam Bohne. After Reds shortstop Ike Caveney received the feed for the first out, however, his relay to first base struck Maisel in the forehead, knocking him unconscious for 10 minutes.77 Five days later the Chicago Daily Tribune reported that Maisel had “since has been unable to talk plainly or don a uniform.”78

When Maisel rejoined the team on June 22, he promptly broke a finger in practice.79 By season’s end he’d seen action in only 38 contests and hit .190 in 84 at-bats. That winter the Cubs traded him to Los Angeles of the PCL with four others and cash for southpaw phenom Nick Dumovich.80 Chicago manager Bill Killefer allowed Maisel to negotiate a deal to join the Toronto Maple Leafs of the International League instead, however, with Cubs president Bill Veeck promising to compensate Los Angeles.81 Toronto skipper Dan Howley previously had managed Maisel in Montreal and wanted him back.82

On February 25, 1923, Maisel married Anna L. Gordon. The Sun described her as the “daughter of William H. (“Billy”) Gordon, ardent Oriole rooter.”83 They never had children, but their union lasted the rest of his life.

Maisel batted .321 in 130 games for Toronto in 1923, while handling a league-record 235 errorless chances in the outfield, where he saw most of his action.84 “He … is especially clever at coming fast for balls knocked just over the infield,” wrote one observer.85 In 1924 Maisel hit .318 in 126 contests as the Maple Leafs won 98 games and finished second to the Orioles. He made one error in 70 outfield appearances and fielded .967 in 49 games at third base.86

In 1925 Maisel returned to the Maple Leafs as team captain until Howley helped him to land a player-manager job with the Wilkes-Barre Barons of the Class B New York-Penn League in June. “The veteran realizes that his usefulness as a player in Class AA is about at an end,” noted Toronto’s Globe.87 “Maisel’s effectiveness as a player has been hampered by injuries and ill health.”88 Maisel resigned his duties in May 1926.89

When Fred Merkle stepped down as the skipper of the IL’s Reading Keystones in 1927, Maisel took over that team and batted 98 times as well.90 Maisel’s professional baseball career ended in 1928 after 15 games split between the IL’s Orioles and Buffalo Bisons.

Maisel became a supervisor for the Consolidated Engineering Company, then an official with Baltimore County Sanitation Bureau.91 He remained connected to baseball in the Baltimore area, coaching Catonsville High School to an undefeated season and county title in 1944.92 He regularly lent a hand to the baseball school the Orioles sponsored for local teens before and after World War II. “If one or two of these kids show just a little improvement in their week-end games, I’ll think I did a good job out here,” Maisel said.93 He also scouted for the Orioles, employing an “elaborate tabbing system” to track school-age prospects according to the Sun.94 “George Maisel is the official club sandlot scout deluxe,” the paper reported. “He has some help, but George is THE local scout.”95

When Maisel reflected on his major-league career, he was most proud of one defensive play in particular. Grover Cleveland Alexander, the Cubs pitcher that day, told him, “George, that’s the longest fly ball that’s ever been caught for me on the playing field.”96

Maisel retired in 1965. He was 76 when he died in Baltimore on November 20, 1968. He is buried in the Baltimore National Cemetery.

Acknowledgments

This biography was reviewed by Rory Costello and Will Christensen and fact-checked by Terry Bohn.

Sources

In addition to sources cited in the Notes, the author used www.ancestry.com, www.baseball-reference.com, www.retsoheet.org, and https://sabr.org/bioproject.

Notes

1 “The Catonsville Nine,” Baltimore Sun, May 6, 1899: 6.

2 “Fritz Maisel’s Uncle Hurt,” Baltimore Sun, October 19, 1916: 14.

3 “Popular Baseball Field Sold for Building Lots,” Baltimore Sun, October 5, 1915: 10.

4 “Amateur Ball Clubs,” Baltimore Sun, May 26, 1906: 8.

5 “Manhattans’ Annual Reception,” Baltimore Sun, October 28, 1907: 10.

6 “Manhattans, 10; Sun, 3,” Baltimore Sun, May 24, 1908: 10.

7 Owen J. Harris, “I Went to Goose Hill University,” Baltimore Sun, June 9, 1957: M2.

8 “Catonsville Combinations Win,” Baltimore Sun, August 16, 1910: 9.

9 C. Edward Sparrow, “Dunn is Reaping a Harvest Off the City’s Back Lots,” Baltimore Sun, January 7, 1912: S1.

10 “Rochester Buys an Outfielder,” Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, New York), November 11, 1911: 21.

11 “Orioles Limber Up,” Baltimore Sun, March 19, 1912: 12.

12 “‘Another Wagner’,” Baltimore Sun, March 27, 1912: 12.

13 Clarence F. Lloyd, “‘Dee’ Walsh and Johnston Slated to Face Tigers,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 5, 1913: 8.

14 “It’s the Maisels Now,” Baltimore Sun, September 3, 1912: 9.

15 Clarence F. Lloyd, “Roger Had to be Satisfied With 4 New Cards in That Game of Draw, at Cincy,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, September 17, 1912: 15.

16 Gus Klemme, “Bob Hedges Plucks a Tri-State Star in George Maisel,” St. Louis Star and Times, December 20, 1912: 12.

17 “Browns Get Maisel,” Baltimore Sun, October 5, 1912: 12.

18 Klemme, “Bob Hedges Plucks a Tri-State Star in George Maisel.”

19 Clarence F. Lloyd, “Stovall Starts Work Minus Two Star Performers,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 2, 1913: 1S.

20 Lloyd, “‘Dee’ Walsh and Johnston Slated to Face Tigers.”

21 “Simon Maisel Improving,” Baltimore Sun, July 11, 1913: 7.

22 “Activities of the Tri-State,” Every Evening (Wilmington, Delaware), July 15, 1913: 13.

23 “Maisel to Have His Day,” Baltimore Sun, October 17, 1913: 8.

24 “Bergen and Maisel Sold to Scranton,” Baltimore Evening Sun, October 17, 1913: 9.

25 “Must Get a Catcher,” Baltimore Sun, October 18, 1913: 12.

26 “George Maisel Improving,” Baltimore Sun, March 19, 1914: 5.

27 “George Maisel Still in Danger,” Baltimore Sun, April 11, 1914: 4.

28 “Maisel Not Coming Until Opening Day,” Tribune (Scranton, Pennsylvania), April 24, 1914: 12.

29 “Bell Offered Elmira Miners May Drop Him,” Elmira (New York) Star-Gazette, May 13, 1914: 8.

30 “Maisel’s Great Catch,” Tribune, June 27, 1914: 12.

31 Bub, “Notes of the Game,” Tribune, July 2, 1914: 11.

32 “George Maisel Has Breakdown,” Baltimore Sun, August 24, 1914: 6.

33 “Maisel in Good Form,” Tribune, April 21, 1915: 12.

34 “Yankee Scout in Town; Club After Local Outfielder,” Tribune, July 30, 1915: 12.

35 “Miner Maisel Probably Will Go to Majors,” Elmira Star-Gazette, July 28, 1915: 15.

36 “Errors Give Locals Game,” Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky), September 12, 1915: B2.

37 “George Maisel, Brother of Fritz, Goes to Tigers,” Boston Daily Globe, August 3, 1915: 4. Detroit paid $3,500 for Maisel according to some reports. “What George Maisel Thinks,” Times-Tribune (Scranton, Pennsylvania), September 11, 1915: 10.

38 “Stroller’s Notebook,” Scranton Republican, July 24, 1915: 8.

39 “Kay Excels in Hitting Extra Bases,” Elmira Star-Gazette, September 9, 1915: 8.

40 Bub, “Looking Them Over,” Tribune, August 7, 1915: 12.

41 “‘Fed’ League Scout Likes George Maisel,” Tribune, September 2, 1915: 10.

42 “Maisel on Way to Join Tigers,” Elmira Star-Gazette, September 10, 1915: 8.

43 “George Maisel Fails to Join Jennings’ Team,” Tribune, September 13, 1915: 12.

44 “State League Season is Over; Where Local Players Winter,” Tribune, September 7, 1915: 10.

45 “Big Crowd Sees Game,” Baltimore Sun, October 25, 1915: 5.

46 “George Maisel Farmed,” Baltimore Sun, May 14, 1916: SS12.

47 Harry B. Smith, “Maisel Topic of Comment at Camp of Seals,” San Francisco Chronicle, March 3, 1917: 6.

48 Al C. Joy, “Pick Will be Seal Infielder,” San Francisco Examiner, January 20, 1917: 11.

49 Ed R. Hughes, “It Looks as if Portland Has Crossed Detroit So Seals Will Lose Maisel,” San Francisco Chronicle, December 10, 1920: 10.

50 “George Maisel a Hold-out,” Los Angeles Times, February 23, 1917: III2.

51 “Essex Junction,” Burlington (Vermont) Daily Free Press, October 30, 1917: 9.

52 B.B. Gossip, “Seal Full Pepper and Confidence,” San Francisco Chronicle, September 12, 1917: 10.

53 “Best Team Won the Flag This Year,” San Francisco Chronicle, October 29, 1917: 6.

54 “Some Baseball Gossip from Here and There,” Baltimore Sun, November 27, 1917: 10.

55 “George Maisel Fit to Fight,” Baltimore Sun, January 31, 1918: 8.

56 “Geo. Maisel Off to War Soon,” Baltimore Sun, February 28, 1918: 8.

57 “Galloway, Tiger Third Sacker to Join Letterman,” San Francisco Chronicle, March 25, 1918: 6.

58 “George Maisel is Trying to Take Eric Erickson Away from Jennings,” Detroit Free Press, March 31, 1918: 21.

59 “Big Leaguers are Among Lettermans,” San Francisco Examiner, August 25, 1918: 15.

60 “George Maisel Back Home,” Baltimore Sun, February 24, 1919: 8.

61 “Diamond Battle Goes to Soldiers,” San Francisco Examiner, August 28, 1918: 9.

62 “George Maisel Back Home.”

63 “George Maisel is One of Eight Tigers Let Go,” Baltimore Sun, March 4, 1919: 10.

64 “Players on the Stand,” Baltimore Sun, March 28, 1919: 8.

65 “George Maisel Stars,” Baltimore Sun, April 13, 1919: CA14.

66 “George Maisel to Try Again,” Baltimore Sun, May 6, 1919: 12.

67 “Baseball Notes,” Los Angeles Times, August 4, 1919: 17.

68 “Pat Duncan is Sold to Reds by Birmingham,” Nashville Tennessean, August 12, 1919: 7.

69 “George Maisel Spent Time Salmon Fishing,” Joplin (Missouri) Globe, May 25, 1922: 6.

70 “George Maisel May Join Giants,” New York Times, December 8, 1920: 24.

71 Hughes, “It Looks as if Portland Has Crossed Detroit So Seals Will Lose Maisel.”

72 Hughes, “It Looks as if Portland Has Crossed Detroit So Seals Will Lose Maisel.”

73 I. E. Sanborn, “Cubs Buy George Maisel,” Chicago Daily Tribune, December 10, 1920: 20.

74 “Cubs Beat Vernon 7 to 5; Maisel Stars,” Daily Times, (Davenport, Iowa), March 24, 1921: 14.

75 Bruce Copeland, “Million-Dollar Maisel,” Rock Island (Illinois) Argus, March 26, 1921: 11.

76 George Maisel, Player contract for sale on E-bay, https://www.ebay.com/itm/144354528896?hash=item219c334e80:g:EK4AAOSw9kZh0Xqt (last accessed April 2, 2022).

77 Frank Schreiber, “Cubs and Reds Break Even in Bargain Day Attraction,” Chicago Daily Tribune, May 27, 1922: 13.

78 Frank Schreiber, “Reds Here for Four Games with Bruins,” Chicago Daily Tribune, June 1, 1922: 19.

79 Frank Schreiber, “Cubs Beaten, 8 to 6, in Pirate Stopover,” Chicago Daily Tribune, June 23, 1922: 17.

80 “Five Players and Money for Hurler,” Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, New York), December 17, 1922: 47. To land Dumovich, a 20-game winner in the PCL at age 20, the Cubs agreed to swap Maisel, Marty Krug, Percy Jones, Walt Golvin, $15,000 and another player (who apparently never materialized).

81 “George Maisel Goes to Toronto,” San Francisco Chronicle, December 23, 1922: 23.

82 “Los Angeles Loses George Maisel,” Los Angeles Evening Express, December 22, 1922: 29.

83 “Unusual Record by George Maisel,” Baltimore Sun, January 18, 1924: 12.

84 “Fielding Leaders in ‘Int’ League,” Plainfield (New Jersey) Courier-News, January 17, 1924: 14.

85 “Unusual Record by George Maisel.”

86 “Some Surprised in Official Averages,” Toronto Daily Star, January 17, 1925: 13.

87 Frederick Wilson, “Scanning the Sport Field,” Globe, June 23, 1925: 6.

88 “Leafs Release Johnson to Wilkes-Barre,” Globe (Toronto), June 18, 1925: 8.

89 “Maisel Quits Barons Club,” Elmira Star-Gazette, May 25, 1926: 8.

90 “Fred Merkle Resigns as Reading Manager,” Washington Post, May 11, 1927: 16.

91 “Ballplayer Dies at 76,” Baltimore Sun, November 21, 1968: A19.

92 “Catonsville Downs Towson,” Baltimore Sun, May 24, 1944: 16.

93 J.E. Wild, “Baltimore Sandlotters Learn Big-League Tricks,” Baltimore Sun, August 15, 1943: SP3.

94 Jesse A. Linthicum, “Sunlight on Sports,” Baltimore Sun, June 8, 1946: 13.

95 C. M. Gibbs, “Gibberish,” Baltimore Sun, July 11, 1945: 15.

96 “Ballplayer Dies at 76.”