George Crowe – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

George Crowe wrapped up his Major League Baseball career in 1961, nearly a decade after he started playing first base and pinch hitting for three different teams. At 40, he played just seven games in his final season with the St. Louis Cardinals before the team released him on May 10, 1961.

Crowe’s retirement closed out a remarkable journey—from Indiana high school basketball star to Negro League standout, then major league veteran. He mentored young Black players breaking into professional baseball. His path to the majors felt unique. Before switching to baseball in his late twenties, he played professional basketball with Jackie Robinson. Because of this late start, Crowe entered the majors as a rookie who was already considered old when he debuted with the Boston Braves in 1952.

Crowe’s baseball story covers his early days as Indiana’s first Mr. Basketball, his World War II military service, and his transformation from a powerful minor league hitter to a respected veteran. He guided players like Tim McCarver and Curt Flood. His influence went way beyond his .270 career batting average and 81 home runs. Younger players saw him as a father figure while they navigated the challenges of integration in professional baseball.

Early Life and Background

George Daniel Crowe was born March 22, 1921, in Whiteland, Indiana. He was the fifth of ten children in a farming family.

He stood out as an athlete in high school, becoming Indiana’s first Mr. Basketball winner in 1939 despite facing racial barriers. At Indiana Central College, he kept excelling in multiple sports.

Childhood and Family

George Crowe grew up on a family farm in Franklin, Indiana, about 20 miles south of Indianapolis. He had nine siblings, and all the kids pitched in with farm chores.

When George was a teenager, his father passed away. That loss forced the children to shoulder even more responsibility around the farm.

Ray, George’s older brother, became a big name in Indiana basketball. Ray coached at Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis, leading the team to back-to-back state championships with Oscar Robertson as star player.

Growing up on the farm meant George didn’t get many chances to play organized sports. He remembered, “What baseball playing I did was usually on Sundays in the summer.”

High School Achievements

Crowe didn’t join the Franklin High School basketball team until his junior year. The new junior varsity coach asked him why he wasn’t playing basketball.

Crowe replied, “They don’t allow no black players to play at Franklin.” The coach told him he could play on the junior varsity team, and Crowe remembered that the JV team “kicked the shit out of the varsity.”

In his senior year, 1939, Franklin High reached the state championship game. The muscular six-foot-two center scored 13 of his team’s 22 points in their loss to Frankfort.

A committee of five high school principals controversially named a white player as the tournament’s outstanding performer. White sportswriters criticized the decision, recognizing the injustice.

The Indianapolis Star responded by running its first reader poll for an all-state team. Out of more than 103,000 votes, Crowe received 48,375. He became Indiana’s first Mr. Basketball, a title that’s still awarded today.

College Years

George Crowe went to Indiana Central College (now University of Indianapolis) along with six siblings. The school was integrated and founded by the United Evangelical Brethren church.

He started on the basketball team for four years. In 1941-42, the ICC Greyhounds finished a perfect season, winning 30 straight games.

Crowe also played baseball as a first baseman and outfielder. He even competed in several track and field events. When the school had no football team, he helped organize an intramural touch football league.

The campus newspaper often praised his athletic abilities. When the 1943 baseball season was canceled due to World War II, The Reflector wrote about missing “the spectacular, spine-tingling sight of George Crowe and company circling the bases at breakneck speed.”

During his senior year, Crowe enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve. He graduated in 1943 and immediately reported for active duty.

Negro League and Military Service

George Crowe started his journey to Major League Baseball in the Negro Leagues after serving in World War II. His time with the New York Black Yankees and his Army service shaped his character and prepared him for breaking racial barriers in sports.

Negro League Debut

After his basketball career with the Harlem Rens ended in 1947, Crowe got his shot at professional baseball with the New York Black Yankees. The team’s business manager arranged his tryout after basketball season.

The Black Yankees played their Negro National League games at Yankee Stadium. Crowe adjusted quickly to professional baseball, putting up strong numbers in his first season.

1947 Season Statistics:

• Batting Average: .305
• Slugging Percentage: .376
• At Bats: 141

He improved in 1948, reportedly hitting .338, though official records remain incomplete for that season.

Teams and Leagues

Crowe played for the Black Yankees during the final years of the Negro National League. The league struggled with declining attendance as fans started following integrated Major League teams instead.

He took part in the 1948 all-star “Dream Game” at Yankee Stadium, which featured the best players from both the Negro National League and Negro American League.

The Negro National League folded before the 1949 season. Crowe later commented, “We had hope once Jackie got in; everybody started taking it seriously.”

His Negro League experience paid off when Effa Manley, owner of the Newark Eagles, recommended him to the Boston Braves.

Military Service During the War

Crowe enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve during his last year at Indiana Central College. He reported for active duty after graduating in 1943.

At Camp Lee, Virginia, he starred on both baseball and basketball teams. But things took a turn when a white colonel used a racial slur during an assembly.

Crowe walked out of the meeting and wouldn’t accept an apology. The Army transferred him to Fort Hood, Texas, where he met his future wife, Yvonne Moman.

He served as a lieutenant in the 373rd Quartermaster Truck Company in Asia. The unit hauled supplies from India to China along the dangerous Ledo and Burma roads through mountains and jungle.

Each supply trip lasted 28 days, while the return flight took just three hours. Crowe was discharged in 1946 and married Yvonne shortly after coming home.

Transition to Major League Baseball

George Crowe made his way to the majors through the Boston Braves organization in 1949. He spent three dominant years in the minors before making his MLB debut at 31. As one of the early Black players to integrate professional baseball after Jackie Robinson, his transition marked a big milestone.

Breaking into the MLB

Crowe signed with the Boston Braves in 1949 after a tryout, thanks to a recommendation from Newark Eagles owner Effa Manley. By then, he was already 28 and had made his mark in both basketball and Negro League baseball.

He absolutely tore up the minor leagues. In 1949 with Pawtucket, he hit .354 with 12 home runs. The next year at Hartford, he won the Eastern League batting title with a .353 average and 24 home runs, earning MVP honors.

His last minor league season in 1951 with Triple-A Milwaukee showed he was ready. He posted .339/.429/.567, leading the league in hits, doubles, total bases, and RBI. The American Association named him both an all-star and outstanding rookie, even though he was already 30.

Boston Braves Era

The Boston Braves brought Crowe up in 1952, making him one of their first Black players. Manager Tommy Holmes mostly used him as a backup to first baseman Earl Torgeson.

Crowe debuted on April 16, 1952, against the Brooklyn Dodgers. Though he didn’t play much, he managed a .258 average, second-best on the team. Torgeson, by comparison, was barely above .200.

The Braves sent Crowe back to Milwaukee in August 1952, surprising many. Harold Kaese of the Boston Globe wrote, “The release of Crowe looks like a case of the Braves being a farm team for Milwaukee.”

Early Major League Challenges

Crowe faced the usual challenges as a Black player in the 1950s, plus his age and competition at first base. In 1953, the Braves brought in Joe Adcock, further limiting Crowe’s chances.

He mostly pinch-hit in 1953, getting just 45 at-bats with a .286 average. Crowe felt frustrated, having dominated the minors.

After the 1953 season, the Braves sold him to Toledo, but he kept crushing Triple-A pitching. In 1954, he led the American Association in several categories with a .334/.394/.582 line and 34 home runs.

Crowe finally got regular playing time in 1955 when Jim Hearn broke Adcock’s arm on July 31. Crowe played every game after that, batting .281/.374/.495 with 15 home runs and an OPS+ of 133—definitely all-star stuff.

Major League Career Achievements

George Crowe built a unique major league career from 1952 to 1961, mainly as a first baseman and pinch hitter. He put up strong offensive numbers across four National League teams, setting records for pinch-hitting and showing consistent power.

Teams Played For

Crowe’s major league journey began with the Boston Braves in 1952 at age 31. He made his debut on April 16, 1952, against Brooklyn.

When the franchise moved, he stayed with the Milwaukee Braves through 1955. Milwaukee was where he got his first real chance after Joe Adcock broke his arm in July 1955.

The Cincinnati Redlegs picked up Crowe in 1956 to back up Ted Kluszewski at first base. He spent five seasons in Cincinnati from 1956 to 1960, earning a reputation as a reliable pinch hitter and occasional starter.

Crowe ended his career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1961, playing just seven games before retiring. The Cardinals signed him as a scout right after his playing days ended in October 1961.

Key Seasons and Performance

Crowe broke out in 1955 with Milwaukee when he finally got to play regularly. After Adcock’s injury on July 31, Crowe started every game left in the season.

He hit .281/.374/.495 with 15 home runs in 354 plate appearances. His OPS+ of 133 put him at all-star level, showing he could produce when given the chance.

Over his career, Crowe hit .270 with 81 home runs and 299 RBIs in 702 games. Those numbers show solid production, especially given how often he sat on the bench.

Crowe’s pinch-hitting specialty became his trademark. He set a major league record with 14 career pinch-hit home runs, a record that lasted for years.

Notable Games and Moments

Crowe had a memorable moment during his Cincinnati debut in 1956. Fans booed his first game performance, but he made them forget it fast.

After going 1-for-5 with two strikeouts and an error, Crowe said, “I hope they all come back tomorrow. I’ll show them something.”

True to his word, he slammed two home runs and a triple in his second game, quickly winning over the Cincinnati crowd.

His pinch-hitting skills peaked in 1960 when he hit his 11th pinch-hit home run, setting a new major league record at the time. That clutch ability made him a valuable asset, especially during his Cincinnati years when he really perfected the pinch-hitting role.

Crowe’s knack for delivering in high-pressure moments set him apart, especially as a pinch-hitting specialist.

Mentorship and Legacy in St. Louis

George Crowe joined the St. Louis Cardinals in 1959 as a veteran presence. He transformed the careers of young African American players with his guidance and wisdom.

Players like Curt Flood and Bob Gibson learned from Crowe, both on and off the field. His impact stretched far beyond stats, shaping how they approached the game—and life in professional sports.

Role with the St. Louis Cardinals

Crowe landed in St. Louis in October 1958 after a trade with the Cincinnati Reds. At 37, he mostly filled in as a pinch-hitter and reserve first baseman from 1959 through 1961.

He didn’t see much action during these last years. In 1961, at age 40, Crowe got just seven chances as a pinch-hitter early in the season. He came up with only one hit in those trips to the plate.

The Cardinals let him go on May 10, 1961, but they immediately offered him a spot as a player-coach with their Triple-A farm club. Clearly, the organization respected his leadership and wanted to keep him around.

He did more than just the usual coaching stuff. Crowe worked directly with young catcher Tim McCarver in the minors, and McCarver later said Crowe changed his whole baseball career.

Mentoring Curt Flood and Bob Gibson

Crowe made his biggest impact on the Cardinals by mentoring future stars. Curt Flood especially leaned on Crowe’s guidance during these years.

Having played in the Negro National League, Crowe knew what young Black players were up against. He gave practical advice and real emotional support to guys trying to make it in integrated baseball.

Bob Gibson also got guidance from Crowe in his early Cardinals days. Gibson would go on to become one of the most dominant pitchers in the game, winning two Cy Young Awards and several World Series titles.

Jackie Robinson noticed Crowe’s influence, too. Robinson wrote, “Crowe was the most articulate and far-sighted Negro then in the majors,” adding that “Young Negroes turned to him for advice.”

Crowe liked to help players deal with both the game itself and the pressures off the field. His background in integrated baseball gave him a unique perspective for helping the next generation.

Comparison with Willie Mays

While Willie Mays became a superstar, Crowe chose a different route, focusing on developing others. Both guys played winter ball, including a stint together on the powerhouse Santurce team in Puerto Rico during 1954-1955.

That winter league squad had an outfield of Mays, Roberto Clemente, and Bus Clarkson. Crowe played first base with these future Hall of Famers, soaking up experience with top-tier talent.

Mays chased personal greatness, but Crowe leaned into a leadership role. He seemed to prefer teaching and mentoring over racking up stats.

Their paths showed different ways to move baseball forward. Mays shattered barriers with his play, while Crowe built connections and shared wisdom with patience.

Retirement and Post-Baseball Life

George Crowe wrapped up his major league career in 1961 after a short run with the St. Louis Cardinals. That ended nearly twenty years in pro baseball.

After retiring, Crowe briefly scouted for big league teams, then stepped away from the game altogether. He chose a quieter life, away from the spotlight.

Final MLB Season and Retirement in 1961

Crowe’s final season in 1961 didn’t go well. He started with the Cardinals but only managed one hit in seven at-bats.

That rough stretch marked a sharp drop for the veteran first baseman, who had once been an All-Star. After that short major league appearance, Crowe headed back to the minors and took on a player-coach role.

This shift let him move from playing to mentoring younger guys. The move to the minors really marked the end of his playing days, which had stretched from the Negro Leagues to organized baseball.

Crowe officially retired as a player after the 1961 season. When he left, he actually held the record for most pinch-hit home runs in a career with 14, which is pretty impressive and stood for several years.

Scouting and Later Involvement in Baseball

After he hung up his spikes, Crowe spent a short time as a scout for major league teams. He used his deep knowledge of the game to size up and recommend new talent.

His scouting days didn’t last long, though—just two years. Crowe grew frustrated with how baseball treated retired African American players, especially the lack of real opportunities to move up in the sport.

He noticed there were hardly any coaching or managerial jobs open to Black former players. This was the 1960s, when Jackie Robinson was still pushing for more African Americans to get those jobs.

Like a lot of Black players from his era, Crowe realized baseball didn’t have much to offer once his playing days were over. The sport’s failure to support African American veterans after their careers ended pushed him to walk away for good.

Personal Life and Legacy

After he left baseball, Crowe decided to step away from the spotlight that used to follow him. He settled down in California and spent his later years enjoying some well-earned privacy.

He married Yvonne Moman, whom he met while serving in the military in Texas. Together, they raised two daughters, Adrienne and Pamela, and kept their family life mostly out of the public eye.

Crowe passed away on January 18, 2011, in Rancho Cordova, California, at 89. It’s hard not to think about everything he accomplished—he broke barriers in both basketball and baseball.

His legacy goes way beyond stats or numbers. Crowe became Indiana’s first Mr. Basketball and was the first African American born in Indiana to play in the major leagues.

Jackie Robinson once called him “the most articulate and far-sighted Negro then in the majors,” saying that young black players often came to Crowe for advice. That says a lot, doesn’t it?