Huck Geary
Encyclopedia
Eugene Francis Joseph "Huck" Geary (January 22, 1917 in Buffalo, New York
– January 27, 1981 in Cuba, New York
) is a former Major League Baseball
player. A right-handed shortstop
who batted from the left side, Geary had a listed weight of 170 pounds.
Geary appeared in 55 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates
in 1942 and 1943, compiling a relatively low .160 batting average
and .437 OPS
during that time. He did display a good batting eye, drawing 20 walks
and striking out
only nine times in 188 at bat
s. Geary caused some consternation for manager Frankie Frisch
in 1943 by repeatedly returning home to New York
to visit his wife and children without first receiving permission from the club. To cover for Geary in the press, Frisch attributed his absence to a period of convalescence from "stomach and nervous trouble".
In his autobiography Veeck - As In Wreck, Bill Veeck
relates a story about Geary and second baseman Eddie Stanky
. Stanky was leading off for the Chicago Cubs
in his first major league game on April 21, 1943, and the first pitch he saw as a batter hit him right in the head. After recovering his bearings, Stanky proceeded to first base, and when the second batter hit a slow ground ball, Stanky made a hard slide at second in an attempt to show that he was unfazed by the beaning
. Geary was the shortstop on the play, and when Stanky cut his legs out from under him, he was injured. According to Veeck, there was some doubt that Geary would ever play again, and he did leave the majors for good at the end of that year. The play had the effect of establishing Stanky's reputation in the league as a tough player.
In a 14-inning game against the Boston Braves
on June 1, 1943, Geary enjoyed one of the more significant accomplishments of his career, scoring the game's winning run by stealing
home plate.
By 1946, Geary had been sent to the Hollywood Stars
of the class AAA Pacific Coast League
. A series of injuries to Pirate regulars, including infielders Bob Elliott
, Billy Cox, and Frank Gustine, created an opportunity for Geary to return to the majors in September, but he was unwilling or unable to return, notifying the team that he would be of no further service for the remainder of the year.
The Pirates sold Geary's contract to the Indianapolis Indians
of the American Association
during that offseason, along with those of several other players: Maurice Van Robays
, Bud Stewart
, Ben Guintini
, Aldon "Lefty" Wilkie
, Alf Anderson
, Ebba St. Claire
, Don Kerr, and Carl Cox.
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
– January 27, 1981 in Cuba, New York
Cuba, New York
Cuba, New York may refer to:*Cuba , New York*Cuba , New York...
) is a former Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player. A right-handed shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
who batted from the left side, Geary had a listed weight of 170 pounds.
Geary appeared in 55 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
in 1942 and 1943, compiling a relatively low .160 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
and .437 OPS
On-base plus slugging
On-base plus slugging is a sabermetric baseball statistic calculated as the sum of a player's on-base percentage and slugging percentage. The ability of a player to both get on base and to hit for power, two important hitting skills, are represented. An OPS of .900 or higher in Major League...
during that time. He did display a good batting eye, drawing 20 walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
and striking out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
only nine times in 188 at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s. Geary caused some consternation for manager Frankie Frisch
Frankie Frisch
Francis “Frankie” Frisch , nicknamed the "Fordham Flash" or "The Old Flash", was a German American Major League Baseball player of the early twentieth century....
in 1943 by repeatedly returning home to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to visit his wife and children without first receiving permission from the club. To cover for Geary in the press, Frisch attributed his absence to a period of convalescence from "stomach and nervous trouble".
In his autobiography Veeck - As In Wreck, Bill Veeck
Bill Veeck
William Louis Veeck, Jr. , also known as "Sport Shirt Bill", was a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a franchise owner and promoter in Major League Baseball. He was best known for his publicity stunts to raise attendance. Veeck was at various times the owner of the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis...
relates a story about Geary and second baseman Eddie Stanky
Eddie Stanky
Edward Raymond Stanky , nicknamed "The Brat", was an American second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. He played for the Chicago Cubs , Brooklyn Dodgers , Boston Braves , New York Giants , and St. Louis Cardinals...
. Stanky was leading off for the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
in his first major league game on April 21, 1943, and the first pitch he saw as a batter hit him right in the head. After recovering his bearings, Stanky proceeded to first base, and when the second batter hit a slow ground ball, Stanky made a hard slide at second in an attempt to show that he was unfazed by the beaning
Hit by pitch
In baseball, hit by pitch , or hit batsman , is a batter or his equipment being hit in some part of his body by a pitch from the pitcher.-Official rule:...
. Geary was the shortstop on the play, and when Stanky cut his legs out from under him, he was injured. According to Veeck, there was some doubt that Geary would ever play again, and he did leave the majors for good at the end of that year. The play had the effect of establishing Stanky's reputation in the league as a tough player.
In a 14-inning game against the Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
on June 1, 1943, Geary enjoyed one of the more significant accomplishments of his career, scoring the game's winning run by stealing
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
home plate.
By 1946, Geary had been sent to the Hollywood Stars
Hollywood Stars
The Hollywood Stars were a minor league baseball team that played in the Pacific Coast League during the early and mid 20th century. They were the arch-rivals of the other Los Angeles based PCL team, the Los Angeles Angels.-Hollywood Stars :...
of the class AAA Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
. A series of injuries to Pirate regulars, including infielders Bob Elliott
Bob Elliott (baseball)
Robert Irving Elliott was an American third baseman and right fielder in Major League Baseball who played most of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Braves. He contributed some of the happiest memories to the Braves' final Boston years, winning the 1947 National League Most Valuable...
, Billy Cox, and Frank Gustine, created an opportunity for Geary to return to the majors in September, but he was unwilling or unable to return, notifying the team that he would be of no further service for the remainder of the year.
The Pirates sold Geary's contract to the Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
of the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
during that offseason, along with those of several other players: Maurice Van Robays
Maurice Van Robays
Maurice Rene Van Robays , nicknamed "Bomber," was a Major League Baseball player who was born and died in Detroit, Michigan. Primarily an outfielder, Van Robays spent six seasons in the majors, all with the Pittsburgh Pirates...
, Bud Stewart
Bud Stewart
Edward Perry "Bud" Stewart was an American professional baseball player. He had a nine-season career in Major League Baseball as an outfielder and pinch hitter for the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, Washington Senators and Chicago White Sox...
, Ben Guintini
Ben Guintini
Benjamin John Guintini was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates during the season and the Philadelphia Athletics during the season.-References:...
, Aldon "Lefty" Wilkie
Lefty Wilkie
Aldon Jay 'Lefty' Wilkie was a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher, who played three seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates 1941, 1942 and 1946....
, Alf Anderson
Alf Anderson
Alfred Walton Anderson was a Major League Baseball player. He played with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1941 to 1942 and for two games in the 1946 baseball season....
, Ebba St. Claire
Ebba St. Claire
Edward Joseph "Ebba" St. Claire was an American catcher in Major League Baseball player and the father of Randy St. Claire. He stood 6'1" tall and weighed 219 pounds. He was a switch hitter and threw right-handed...
, Don Kerr, and Carl Cox.
External links
- Geary's major league statistics at Baseball-Reference.com