George Ely was a star California semi-pro second baseman and pitcher from about 1907 to 1912. He lost his right arm when he fell between the wheels of a dray (a cart) when he was either three or ten years old. Newspaper articles differ on both his age at the time of the accident and which arm he lost. Pictures make it clear that he lost his right arm.
He was known for his great fielding and heavy hitting, and I think it's clear that he was a very good player. California had a very good semi-pro scene then.
He worked in a telegraph office at a Salt Lake Railroad depot during his career, and was still there in 1918, the last mention I've seen of him.
Career:
Year Team League Notes
1905 Los Angeles High School
1908 Salt Lake Pacific League
1908-09 Maier California Winter League Hit .321
1908-09 Edisons California Winter League
1909 Caldwell Idaho State League
1909 Gardena Southern State League
1910 Dyas-Cline
1911 Hoegees
1912 Venice
Sources:
I actually had never heard of him before. I had heard of a good many other one armed minor leaguers and MLB players, and the fact that these guys could work without an arm is amazing. Nowadays, most teams would probably take one look at a one armed player and refuse him.
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard of him before either. I was looking through some old newspapers when I stumbled upon mention of the "one-armed wonder" and had to check it out. As far as I know, nobody's written about him before.
DeleteAs an update, I believe I find his gravestone online. If it is, he was George A. Ely and he lived 1888-1967.
Your title made me kind of nervous, as I've slowly been working on a post about a one-armed player, and was hoping that you hadn't beat me to him. Thankfully my guy and your guy aren't one in the same. Who knew that were so many one-armed players?
ReplyDelete