George Giles (baseball) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids George Giles |
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| First baseman / Manager | |||
| Born: May 2, 1909 Junction City, Kansas |
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| Died: March 3, 1992 (aged 82) Topeka, Kansas |
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George Franklin Giles (born May 2, 1909 – died March 3, 1992) was a talented baseball player and manager in the Negro Leagues. He played as a first baseman and also led teams as a manager. George started his professional baseball journey very young, at just 17 years old.
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George Giles: A Baseball Star
George Giles was a well-known figure in the Negro Leagues, a group of professional baseball leagues for African American players. These leagues were very important during a time when Black players were not allowed to play in Major League Baseball. George was known for his skill at first base and his leadership as a manager.
Early Days and Joining the Leagues
George Giles began his baseball career at a very young age. In 1926, when he was just 17, he joined his first team, the Gilkerson Union Giants. This was a great start for a young player. The very next year, in 1927, George signed with one of the most famous teams in the Negro Leagues: the Kansas City Monarchs. He was only 18 years old at the time.
Playing for Famous Teams
George Giles played for many different teams throughout his career. After his first time with the Kansas City Monarchs, he also played for the St. Louis Stars from 1930 to 1931. He even spent time with other well-known teams like the Homestead Grays and the Baltimore Black Sox in 1932 and 1933.
He returned to the Kansas City Monarchs for a few more years, from 1932 to 1934. Later, he played for teams such as the Brooklyn Eagles in 1935, the New York Black Yankees from 1936 to 1937, and the Philadelphia Stars and Pittsburgh Crawfords in 1938. His last known team was the Satchel Paige All Stars in 1939. George also took on the role of manager for the Brooklyn Eagles in 1935, showing his leadership skills.
A Family Baseball Legacy
Baseball talent ran in the Giles family! George Giles's grandson, Brian Giles, also became a professional baseball player. Brian played as a second baseman for the New York Mets in the National League during the early 1980s. This shows how the love for baseball continued through the generations in the Giles family.
