George Maisel (November 3, 1902 – January 8, 1995) was an American professional baseball outfielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) during the 1920s and early 1930s. He appeared for the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and Boston Braves over the course of five seasons.
Early life and education
George William Maisel was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Details of his early education and amateur baseball experience are limited in the public record, but he began his professional career in the minor leagues in the early 1920s.
Professional baseball career
- Minor leagues (1922–1924): Maisel played for several minor‑league clubs, including the St. Joseph Saints of the Western League, where his performance attracted attention from MLB scouts.
- Chicago Cubs (1924): He made his MLB debut with the Cubs on September 23, 1924, appearing in a handful of games as a pinch‑hitter and defensive replacement.
- St. Louis Cardinals (1925–1927): Maisel spent three seasons with the Cardinals, primarily serving as a backup outfielder. He recorded a career‑high batting average of .276 in 1926, appearing in 78 games that season.
- Boston Braves (1929–1930): After a brief return to the minors in 1928, Maisel joined the Braves, where he played his final major‑league games. His last MLB appearance was on September 30, 1930.
Over his MLB tenure, Maisel compiled a .260 batting average, with 5 home runs and 73 runs batted in across 280 games. He was noted for his defensive versatility, capable of playing all three outfield positions.
Later life and death
Following his baseball career, Maisel returned to St. Louis, where he worked in the automotive industry. He remained involved in local amateur baseball as a coach and mentor. Maisel died on January 8, 1995, in St. Louis, at the age of 92.
Legacy
While not a Hall of Fame candidate, Maisel is remembered among baseball historians as a representative example of a journeyman outfielder of the 1920s era, illustrating the transitional nature of professional baseball during that period.