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

George Michael “Catfish” Metkovich built a solid eleven-year career in Major League Baseball, moving between six different teams from 1943 to 1954. He grew up in Angel’s Camp, California, the son of Croatian immigrants.

People started calling him “Catfish” after a wild spring training moment when a catfish jabbed his foot with its fin. Metkovich retired from pro baseball in 1954 after finishing up with the Milwaukee Braves. He wrapped up a run of over 1,000 games and left the game with a .261 batting average.

Metkovich never became a superstar, but he made his mark as a reliable utility player who bounced around the diamond during baseball’s golden era. He started with the Boston Red Sox during World War II, then went on to play for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, and finally the Milwaukee Braves.

He got to see some of baseball’s most unforgettable moments and played beside future Hall of Famers. That must’ve been something.

From his early days learning from legendary manager Casey Stengel to his final at-bats in Milwaukee, Metkovich lived out the journey of so many journeyman players who really held professional baseball together. His career stretched over the war years, the integration of baseball, and the dawn of the modern era. His story offers a window into both baseball history and the immigrant experience in American sports.

Early Life and Background

George Michael Metkovich was born on October 8, 1920, in Angel’s Camp, California. His parents, Croatian immigrants, arrived in America in the early 1900s.

He grew up in Los Angeles, and his athleticism in high school paved the way for his professional baseball career.

Family Heritage and Childhood

George’s parents, John and Kate (Klaich) Metkovich, both came from Croatia and became U.S. citizens in 1908. John made it to America in 1901, and Kate followed in 1907.

John worked hard as a gold miner and grinderman in a gold mill up in Angel’s Camp, Calaveras County. The family had six kids: Kris, Helen, Louis, Martin, George, and John.

Things took a tough turn in the late 1920s when John Metkovich died in Fresno. By 1930, the family moved to Los Angeles, where Kate raised her children alone.

Kate held on to her Croatian roots, still speaking the language as late as 1943. She lived to see her son’s whole baseball career and passed away in 1984.

Education and Athletic Beginnings

George went to Brad Hart School for grades one through nine, then graduated from Fremont High School in Los Angeles. He thought about going to college to become a physical education coach.

At Fremont High, he played for coach Leo Haserot, a guy who helped shape future big leaguers like Bobby Doerr, Mickey Owen, and Jerry Priddy. George wasn’t just a baseball guy—he made first-team All-City in basketball in the 1938-39 season.

Baseball ran deep in the Metkovich family. All the boys played high school baseball, and his brother Chris signed a pro contract in 1937 to play center field with Macon.

Early Influences and Minor League Start

George started playing semipro ball at 17, in 1938. Detroit Tigers scout Marty Krug noticed him and signed him to a contract in Beaumont, Texas.

After graduating in the winter of 1938-39, George landed with the Fulton Tigers in the Class-D Kitty League. He played every one of the team’s 126 games as first baseman, hitting .310 with 12 homers and 40 doubles.

His career hit a weird snag when Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis freed him and 92 other Detroit system players on January 14, 1940. The Tigers had broken some rules about player handling, and after a long investigation, Landis set them loose.

That twist of fate turned out alright. Boston Bees manager Casey Stengel signed George as a free agent on February 13, 1940. In 1941, George married Peggy Morrison, settling down as his baseball career got rolling.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

George Metkovich played in the majors for 11 seasons, from 1943 to 1954, picking up the nickname “Catfish” along the way. He suited up for six teams and played over 1,000 games as an outfielder and first baseman, finishing with a .261 batting average in both the American and National Leagues.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Metkovich made his big league debut on July 16, 1943, with the Boston Red Sox at 22 years old. In his first game against Washington, he went 0-for-4 and struck out twice.

The Red Sox bought his contract from the San Francisco Seals for $25,000 in July 1943. He got his first hit in his third game, during a doubleheader on July 18.

His first real breakthrough came just days later, on July 24, 1943, when he hit his first home run against the St. Louis Browns. That three-run shot was part of a strong 3-for-5 game with four RBIs.

He played every game (78) after joining Boston that year. Metkovich finished his rookie season with a .246 average, five home runs, and 27 RBIs, splitting time between right field and center field.

Career Timeline and Teams Played For

Metkovich’s time in the majors took him to six teams over 11 seasons:

His best year came in 1944 with Boston, where he played in 134 games. He scored 94 runs, drove in 59, and batted .277 as Boston’s main first baseman.

Opening Day 1945 wasn’t his finest defensive moment—he set a record by making three errors in a single inning at first base. Still, he finished the season with a .985 fielding percentage.

Retirement and Last Season in 1954

The Milwaukee Braves picked up Metkovich for his last MLB season in 1954. He worked mostly as a utility player, splitting time between first base and the outfield.

He didn’t see as much action that year compared to his earlier seasons as a regular starter.

The 1954 season closed out a career with 1,055 games, 47 home runs, and 373 RBIs. That .261 career average showed he was a steady presence at the plate, no matter what team or position he played.

Metkovich hung up his spikes after 1954, at just 33 years old, ending a journey that started in the mining town of Angel’s Camp and finished in the big leagues.

Career Highlights and Notable Achievements

George Metkovich’s career included some memorable moments that showed off his versatility at both first base and in the outfield. His 1946 World Series appearance with the Boston Red Sox was probably the peak of his pro career, even if he didn’t collect many individual awards.

Memorable Games and Records

Catfish Metkovich made his mark with a few quirky records. On Opening Day 1945, he set a big league record for first basemen by making three errors in a single inning for the Boston Red Sox.

He bounced back from that with some solid offensive games. On June 1, 1944, he smacked a three-run homer with two outs in the ninth against Cleveland, lifting Boston to a wild 7-6 win.

Metkovich flashed his base-running skills too. On June 23, 1946, he stole home plate with Ted Williams at the plate during a game against the Indians. Not many guys would try that, honestly.

In 1945, he pulled off something unusual—he led the American League with a .421 batting average in night games. That’s a cool stat that not many remember.

World Series Appearance

Metkovich got his only World Series shot in 1946 when the Boston Red Sox won the American League pennant. The team rolled to a 104-50 record and finished 12 games up on second place.

Manager Joe Cronin didn’t use Metkovich much during the seven-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals. He only got in twice, both times as a pinch hitter.

In Game Four, Metkovich pinch-hit for pitcher Jim Bagby but flew out to left. His last World Series at-bat came in Game Seven, the one the Cardinals won 4-3.

The Red Sox had a deep roster, especially with veterans coming back from World War II. That made it tough for Metkovich to get much playing time, even though he played 86 games during the regular season.

MVP Consideration

Metkovich never really entered the MVP conversation during his career. His best years were 1944 and 1951, but the numbers just weren’t enough for major awards.

In 1944, he set personal bests with 94 runs and 59 RBIs, batting .277. Those are solid numbers, but the league was full of returning war vets and established stars.

His 1951 season with Pittsburgh showed better plate discipline. Metkovich put up a .333 on-base percentage, his second-best ever, but his .260 average and limited power kept him out of award talks.

He played at a time when guys like Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, and Stan Musial dominated the scene. Metkovich was more of a steady contributor, not a star, so MVP votes were always just out of reach.

Statistical Overview and Performance Analysis

George Metkovich finished with a .261 career batting average, 934 hits, 47 home runs, and 373 RBIs over 1,055 games in his 10-year career. If you look at the advanced stats, he was a steady performer with decent WAR and rOBA numbers throughout his time in the majors.

Batting Statistics

Metkovich kept up steady offensive production for most of his career, with his best years coming in 1944 and the early 1950s. His .261 career average showed he was more of a contact hitter than a power threat.

In 1944, his first full year, Metkovich hit .277 with 152 hits in 549 at-bats. That year really established him as a regular for the Red Sox. He posted a .319 on-base percentage, which says a lot about his approach at the plate.

During his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1951-1953, Metkovich found a late-career resurgence. He hit .293 in 1951 and .271 in 1952, showing he could still handle the bat as he got older.

His last season in Milwaukee in 1954 saw him hit .276, though he didn’t play much. Over his career, Metkovich racked up 3,956 plate appearances and drew 307 walks, which points to a decent eye at the plate.

Fielding and Defensive Performance

Metkovich played all over the field during his career. He spent most of his time in center field, but he also handled first base and other outfield positions. Teams always seemed to appreciate his defensive flexibility.

As a first baseman, Metkovich gave teams reliable defense whenever they needed him there. At 6’1″ and left-handed, he looked pretty natural at the position. He logged innings at first base in several seasons, especially as his career wound down.

Early on with Boston, he mostly covered center field. His work in the outfield kept him on the roster, even when his bat cooled off.

That ability to move around basically kept him in the big leagues longer than most. Clubs liked having a guy who could handle a bunch of roles, so he often served as a bench player or spot starter for six different teams.

Key Metrics: Runs, Hits, and Home Runs

Metkovich never really chased home run records. He focused on making solid contact. Out of his 934 career hits, most were singles and doubles. He racked up 167 doubles over the years.

In ten seasons, he crossed the plate 476 times. That averages out to about 48 runs each year. His best year for scoring runs was 1944, when he tallied 94 for Boston—no surprise, since he played 134 games that season.

Power just wasn’t his thing. He hit only 47 home runs in his entire career. His best seasons for homers were 1944 and 1949, with nine each. That lack of pop limited how much damage he could do at the plate.

He knocked in 373 RBIs, which fits for a guy who made contact more than he slugged. Teams leaned on him to get on base and keep rallies going, not necessarily to drive in the big runs.

Advanced Metrics and rOBA

Metkovich finished with a career WAR of 5.8, so he gave his teams decent value above replacement. His standout season was 1944, when he posted a 2.0 WAR and really helped Boston.

With a career rOBA of .325, he showed he could get on base more than the average player. This stat actually tells you more about his offensive value than just looking at his batting average.

His OPS+ sat at 91, which means he hit a bit below league average when you factor in ballparks. Still, his glove and ability to play different spots added a lot that numbers sometimes miss.

If you dig into the advanced stats, you see Metkovich as a reliable contributor. He wasn’t a star, but his positive WAR in most seasons proves he belonged in the majors for a solid decade.

Personal Life and Legacy

George Metkovich’s life was much more than just baseball. He built strong family bonds and left a real mark on the game. His marriage to Peggy Morrison in 1941 brought him stability during his playing days, and his brothers chased their own baseball dreams.

Family and Relationships

Metkovich married Peggy Morrison in 1941. Their partnership lasted through his career. When their son George Jr. was born on June 14, 1944, it gave Metkovich a day he never forgot.

He marked the occasion by getting two hits against the Chicago White Sox that day. Later, he said that performance ranked among his favorite baseball memories.

His family had deep baseball roots. Both brothers tried their luck in pro ball. Chris Metkovich signed up and played center field for Macon in 1937, eventually making it to the Texas League with Houston.

John Metkovich joined the pros in early 1947. He kept playing into the 1950s, including stops with Ottawa in 1952 and Sacramento in 1953.

Impact on Baseball Community

Metkovich’s Croatian heritage set him apart in the baseball world of the 1940s. His parents, John and Kate, came to the U.S. from Croatia in the early 1900s. That made George part of a growing wave of immigrant athletes.

Everyone knew his “Catfish” nickname. The story of a catfish fin going through his foot during spring training in 1940 got repeated all the time by manager Casey Stengel.

“You’ve heard of a lot of injuries to ball players, but you can’t tie this one,” Stengel told reporters, shaking his head at the odd story.

Metkovich and teammate Wilbur McElroy were fishing off a bridge over the Manatee River when it happened. Metkovich’s own version of the story became a classic baseball tale.

Life After Baseball

When Metkovich retired in 1954, life got tougher. Alzheimer’s disease crept in as he got older and affected his quality of life.

In 1991, at age 70, Metkovich went missing from home, which really worried his family and friends. It was a sad reminder of the struggles many former players face with their health as they age.

He died on May 17, 1995, at 74. He played over 1,000 games and finished with a .261 batting average, giving six major league teams steady contributions.

Metkovich’s story feels familiar for players from his era—guys who didn’t make headlines but built meaningful careers in the game.

Recognition and Influence

George Metkovich’s legacy really comes down to that unforgettable “Catfish” nickname and his steady presence as a journeyman during the war years. He had a unique story, and his personality stuck with people who played with him or watched him.

Media Coverage and Public Image

Reporters loved writing about Metkovich, mostly because of his wild nickname. The “Catfish” story blew up after Casey Stengel shared the details about the spring training mishap with the press.

Sports writers brought up the tale in papers all over the country. It became one of those weird stories that baseball fans never seem to forget.

His Croatian immigrant background also drew attention. Writers pointed out how his family made the journey from Croatia to the gold mining towns of California.

One reporter once called him “a meteor, never a star.” That pretty much sums up Metkovich—a guy who lit up the field now and then, but didn’t quite become a household name.

The press respected his work ethic and the way he made the most of his skills. His ability to handle both outfield and first base earned him plenty of nods from baseball writers.

Influence on Future Generations

Metkovich mostly left his mark on those who played alongside him, rather than shaping the broader story of baseball. Guys who suited up with him during World War II, when teams scrambled to fill rosters, still called him a steady presence.

His story nudged a few other players from immigrant families to give baseball a shot. Honestly, the fact that a Croatian-American miner’s son could carve out a spot in the big leagues said a lot about the chances available, even if they were rare.

Researchers and a handful of fans still bring up his name from time to time. That wild stat—three errors in a single inning at first base—still ties the major league record.

Sites like Retrosheet keep his stats alive, so anyone curious can look him up. Playing in 1,055 games and hitting .261, he kind of sums up what a journeyman looked like back then.

People still toss his nickname around in baseball trivia or when oddball player names come up. The “Catfish” story, honestly, might be one of the best nickname tales the sport has.