George Townsend
Born: 6/4/1867 in Hartsdale, NY, USA
Died: 3/15/1930 in New Haven, CT, USA
MLB Debut: 1887-06-25 | Final Game: 1891-10-06
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'7" | Weight: 180 lbs
Full name: George Hodgson Townsend
Biography
George Townsend was a professional baseball player born in 1867, whose career spanned from 1887 to 1891. Primarily known as a position player, Townsend played in a total of 152 games during his time in Major League Baseball. He recorded 101 hits, contributing 53 runs batted in, and notably, he did not hit any home runs throughout his career. His batting average stood at .187, a reflection of the challenges many players faced during the late 19th century, a period characterized by evolving offensive strategies and the transition from the deadball era to the modern game.
Townsend’s playing style was indicative of the era, where speed and agility were often prioritized over power hitting. He accumulated 16 stolen bases, showcasing his ability to take advantage of defensive lapses and contribute to his team's offensive efforts through base-running. Although his statistical output may not have placed him among the era's most celebrated players, Townsend was part of the foundational years of professional baseball, a time when the sport was gaining popularity and structure, setting the stage for future generations of athletes. His contributions, while modest in the record books, played a role in the development of the game during a pivotal time in its history.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 152 | 541 | 60 | 101 | 18 | 5 | 0 | 53 | 16 | 31 | 35 | 0.187 | 0.239 | 0.238 | 0.477 | -2508.2 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1887 | PH4 | AA | 31 | 109 | 12 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0.193 | -700.4 |
| 1888 | PH4 | AA | 42 | 161 | 13 | 25 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 13 | 0.155 | -942.1 |
| 1890 | BL3 | AA | 18 | 67 | 6 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0.239 | -145.4 |
| 1891 | BL3 | AA | 61 | 204 | 29 | 39 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 3 | 20 | 21 | 0.191 | -720.2 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 146 | 0 | 587 | 220 | 85 | 10 |
| OF | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1887 | PH4 | C | 28 | 0 | 99 | 42 | 22 | 1 |
| 1887 | PH4 | OF | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1888 | PH4 | C | 42 | 0 | 225 | 76 | 29 | 2 |
| 1890 | BL3 | C | 18 | 0 | 72 | 34 | 8 | 2 |
| 1891 | BL3 | C | 58 | 0 | 191 | 68 | 26 | 5 |
| 1891 | BL3 | OF | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 146 |
| Left Field | 1 |
| Center Field | 1 |
| Right Field | 4 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York University | New York | NY | 1886, 1887 |