George Townsend, baseball player, 1887-1891

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

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

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