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

George Freese isn’t exactly a household name, but his journey through Major League Baseball really gives us a look at what it was like for a dedicated player competing at the top level during the 1950s and early ‘60s.

He was born in Wheeling, West Virginia. As a third baseman, he managed to carve out a spot in pro baseball even though he faced plenty of the same obstacles as other players from his era.

Freese retired from Major League Baseball in 1961 after finishing his final season with the Chicago Cubs. His career covered three teams over nearly a decade.

He played for the Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Cubs. That took a lot of grit, especially during such a competitive time in baseball.

Freese’s story isn’t just about his stats. It also includes his college years at West Virginia University, his work in baseball after his playing days, and his spot in the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame.

His career kind of sums up what so many players went through, sticking with America’s pastime while dealing with the ups and downs of pro sports in the mid-1900s.

Early Life and College Career

George Freese was born September 12, 1926, in Wheeling, West Virginia. He came from a family that produced two Major League Baseball players.

At West Virginia University, he showed off his skills in both football and baseball before going pro in the early ‘50s.

Family Background

George Walter Freese grew up in Wheeling, West Virginia, in a family that loved baseball. His younger brother, Gene, also made it to the Major Leagues, which made the Freese family pretty well known in their community.

Both brothers honed their skills in Wheeling before moving into professional baseball. They even played together on the Pittsburgh Pirates, which is a pretty cool family story.

That kind of shared success really shows the strong athletic roots they had growing up. The family’s support and the sibling rivalry probably helped push both of them toward their big-league dreams.

West Virginia University Highlights

George Freese played college baseball for the Mountaineers in 1947. He also played football at West Virginia University during the 1946 and 1947 seasons.

At WVU, Freese developed the skills that later made him a solid third baseman in pro ball. College gave him the time he needed to grow as a player.

The college atmosphere helped him mature, both on and off the field. Playing two sports really showed his athletic range, but baseball ended up being his main path.

Path to Professional Baseball

Once his college days ended, Freese moved into pro baseball in the early 1950s. He spent about three years in the minors with the Portland Beavers in Oregon, working on his third base skills.

Those minor league years were huge for his development. Playing in Portland gave him a chance to adjust to the pro game before he finally made it to the majors.

Freese made his Major League debut at age 26 on April 29, 1953, with the Detroit Tigers. His path from West Virginia University to the majors took a lot of dedication and time spent grinding in the minors.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

George Freese played in the MLB for eight years, from 1953 to 1961, working as a third baseman for three different teams. He went from the Detroit Tigers to the Pittsburgh Pirates, and finally to the Chicago Cubs.

He wrapped up his career with a .257 batting average.

MLB Debut and Early Years

George Freese made his big league debut on April 29, 1953, with the Detroit Tigers at age 26. He’d already spent time playing college ball at West Virginia University.

Debuting at 26 is a bit late for a ballplayer. By then, Freese was already more seasoned than most rookies.

He hit and threw right-handed and brought a steady glove to third base. His college experience with the Mountaineers in 1947 played a part in shaping his skills.

Detroit Tigers Period

Freese started his rookie season with the Detroit Tigers in 1953. That was his first taste of major league action.

While in Detroit, he began laying the groundwork for what would become a solid, if not spectacular, MLB career. The Tigers gave him his first real shot at the big leagues.

He showed enough promise to stick around. That experience helped him later on as he moved to other teams.

Pittsburgh Pirates Tenure

Freese joined the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1955, two years after his Detroit debut. That was the middle chapter of his MLB run.

With the Pirates, Freese kept proving himself at third base. His stretch in Pittsburgh helped him continue developing his game and stay in the majors.

He adapted to the Pirates’ system and fit in with the team’s culture. His steady play made him a useful part of the roster.

Chicago Cubs Finale

Freese finished up his MLB career with the Chicago Cubs in 1961. His last major league game was on May 31, 1961, ending an eight-year run.

Career Statistics:

• Batting Average: .257
• Home Runs: 3
• RBIs: 23
• Total Hits: 48

By the time he was with the Cubs, Freese was nearing the end of his playing days. At 34, he had enough experience to start thinking about coaching after baseball.

His last season with Chicago closed out a career that took him to three different teams in almost a decade of major league play.

Statistical Achievements and Playing Style

George Freese put up modest numbers in his three major league seasons. He finished with a .257 batting average in 61 games.

He played third base, but his defensive work left some room for improvement. Fielding stats show he struggled a bit, especially during his main season in Pittsburgh.

Hitting Performance

Freese kept a .257 batting average for his career, collecting 48 hits in 187 at-bats. His best stretch at the plate came with the Cubs in 1961, where he hit .286 in nine games.

He had a pretty patient approach. Freese drew 18 walks and struck out 22 times, which led to a .327 on-base percentage—about 70 points higher than his batting average.

His OPS of .696 was below league average for his time, but he did manage to get on base pretty often when he had the chance.

Most of his offensive numbers came during the 1955 season with Pittsburgh. He picked up 46 of his 48 career hits that year, scored 17 runs, and knocked in 23 RBIs.

Power and Home Runs

Freese didn’t hit for much power, totaling just 3 home runs over his three seasons. All three came during his 1955 run with the Pirates.

His slugging percentage sat at .369, which shows he wasn’t much of a power hitter. He added 8 doubles and 2 triples, giving him 13 extra-base hits in total.

Most of his power came in 1955. That year, he racked up 67 total bases in 179 at-bats.

His ISO (Isolated Power) was .112, which is low for a corner infielder in that era. Singles and walks made up most of his offensive production.

Fielding and Defensive Metrics

Freese’s defense at third base was a bit shaky, especially in his main season. In 1955, his .936 fielding percentage was below the league average of .951.

He made 9 errors in 50 games at third, handling 141 total chances. His Total Zone rating of -9 pointed to below-average defense, actually costing his team some runs.

His range factor—2.75 assists and putouts per nine innings—was also lower than the league average of 3.13 for third basemen.

With a WAR of -0.5 over his three seasons, Freese didn’t quite reach replacement level. Both his bat and his glove held him back.

Notable Seasons and Games

The 1955 season in Pittsburgh was his biggest contribution to the majors. He played 51 games, started 49 at third, and finished 47.

His last MLB appearance came on May 31, 1961, against Philadelphia. He went 0-for-1 in his final at-bat at age 34.

Freese’s 1953 debut with Detroit lasted only a single game and one at-bat—no hits. He was 26 at the time.

His 1961 stint with the Cubs was short but showed a little spark. Hitting .286 in nine games, he still had some life in his bat.

1961 Season and Retirement

George Freese wrapped up his Major League career with the Chicago Cubs in 1961, getting into just nine games that season. His limited playing time and stats signaled the end of a career that stretched across three teams and eight years.

Chicago Cubs in 1961

Freese joined the Cubs for the 1961 season, making them his third and final MLB team. Chicago didn’t give him many chances that year.

He played in only 9 games all season. That included 3 games at home and 6 on the road.

His numbers were pretty modest in this last go-round. Freese managed just 2 hits in 7 at-bats, for a .286 average.

He drove in 1 run, drew 1 walk, and struck out 4 times during his brief time with the Cubs.

Final Major League Appearances

Freese’s last games in the big leagues came in 1961 with Chicago. He split his final appearances between home and away games.

At home, he did well—1 hit in 2 at-bats, which works out to a .500 average in 3 games. He struck out once at home.

On the road, things were tougher. He had just 1 hit in 5 at-bats over 6 games, giving him a .200 average away from Wrigley.

Looking at his whole MLB career, Freese played 61 games for three teams. He finished with a .257 career batting average, 3 home runs, and 23 RBIs.

Decision to Retire

After the 1961 season, George Freese decided to call it a career. He was 35 by then, and playing opportunities had dried up.

He hadn’t played in the majors since 1955 with Pittsburgh before his short Cubs stint. That six-year break probably made retirement an easier call.

Freese’s career technically went from 1953 to 1961, but he only played in three major league seasons. His short time with the Cubs showed how tough it was to get steady playing time at that level.

After stepping away from baseball, Freese settled down in Portland, Oregon. He had played minor league ball there with the Portland Beavers.

Post-Playing Career and Legacy

After his playing days, George Freese jumped into coaching and managing in the minors. He kept contributing to baseball even after hanging up his glove.

His work in the sport earned him a spot in the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame. That recognition helped cement his place in the baseball community.

Coaching and Minor League Management

After George Freese retired as a player in 1961, he stayed close to professional baseball. He moved into coaching and management, never really leaving the game behind.

He joined the Chicago Cubs coaching staff in 1964 and 1965. Freese worked with the same organization where he wrapped up his playing career.

Soon after, he jumped into minor league management in the California League. In 1971, he managed the Lodi Padres and picked up valuable experience leading a team focused on player development.

His managerial journey continued with the Bakersfield Dodgers from 1973 to 1974. Freese passed on what he knew to younger players making their way through the minor leagues.

Switching from player to coach and manager really showed how much he understood the game. Playing for three major league teams gave him a bunch of different perspectives on baseball strategies and player growth.

Induction into Oregon Sports Hall of Fame

In 2008, Oregon honored George Freese by inducting him into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame. This recognition pointed to his impact on baseball in the Pacific Northwest.

His connection to Oregon baseball ran deep, especially after three years playing minor league ball for the Portland Beavers. After his playing days, Freese decided to call Portland, Oregon his home.

The Hall of Fame induction happened late in his life, when he was 81. This honor really highlighted his lasting mark on Oregon’s baseball community and how dedicated he remained to the sport.

Influence on Baseball Community

Freese’s influence went way beyond stats or official roles. He cared deeply about the game and built lasting relationships with players, coaches, and baseball fans.

Someone who spent a lot of time around Freese once mentioned his caring, giving nature. That kind of personal connection says a lot about how he touched people beyond just teaching baseball.

Freese also shared the baseball spotlight with his younger brother, Gene Freese, who played third base in the majors too. Both brothers from Wheeling left their mark on Major League Baseball in the 1950s.

Comprehensive Statistics and Resources

George Freese played just 61 major league games over three seasons from 1953 to 1961. His career numbers show a .257 batting average, 48 hits, 3 home runs, and 23 RBIs in 187 at-bats.

Career Totals and Advanced Metrics

Freese put up modest career totals during his brief time in the majors. He collected 48 hits in 187 at-bats for a .257 average. Offensively, he added 8 doubles, 2 triples, and 3 home runs.

He drove in 23 runs and crossed the plate 17 times. Freese picked up 18 walks and struck out 22 times. His on-base percentage reached .327, and his slugging percentage landed at .369.

Advanced stats show Freese posted a .696 OPS and an OPS+ of 86, which points to below-average offense. His career WAR (Wins Above Replacement) ended up at -0.5.

Most of his big league action came with Pittsburgh in 1955. That year, he appeared in 51 games and had 202 plate appearances. He only played one game for Detroit in 1953 and nine games for Chicago in 1961.

Baseball Reference and Retrosheet Records

Baseball Reference keeps thorough records of Freese’s career stats and biographical details. They list his birth date as September 12, 1926, in Wheeling, West Virginia.

He stood 6 feet tall and weighed 190 pounds. The site even notes his nickname, “Bud,” and tracks the three teams he played for during his career.

You can find his uniform numbers and detailed game logs tucked away in the Baseball Reference archives. Retrosheet adds even more, with game-by-game data and play-by-play info from Freese’s appearances.

Researchers can dig into these records to analyze how he performed in specific situations. I mean, if you’re into baseball history, these sites are pretty much essential.

Both resources give historians a solid foundation for studying 1950s baseball. They include fielding statistics that show Freese’s .936 fielding percentage at third base during his 1955 season with Pittsburgh.