George Elder

George Rezin Elder

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 180 lb.
• School Fordham University, University of California, Los Angeles
• High School Fenwick High School
• Debut July 22, 1949
• Final Game September 25, 1949
• Born March 10, 1921 in Lebanon, KY USA
• Died July 7, 2022 in Fruita, CO USA

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Biographical Information

Outfielder George Elder played briefly in the majors, appearing in 41 games with the St. Louis Browns in 1949, but later, true to his name, became one of the longest-living players in major league history.

His older brother Jack had been a big time college football star for the University of Notre Dame, and Elder was under his shadow when he played at Fordham University before serving in the Marines during World War II. After the war, he attended UCLA and again played football.

He began his pro baseball career at age 26 in 1947, hitting .317 for the Toledo Mud Hens. He reached the big leagues with the Browns in the middle of the 1949 campaign, appearing in 10 games in left field while serving primarily as a pinch hitter and pinch runner. Overall, he hit .250 for St. Louis. Following his major league days, he played one season with the Wichita Indians. He later was a sheriff's deputy and a court bailiff in California.

George was born in Lebanon, Kentucky. Through 2010, the only other major leaguer born in the town of Lebanon has been John Grim. He grew up in the Chicago, IL area, however. He became a centenarian in March 2021, and the Oldest Living MLB Player following the passing of Eddie Robinson on October 4 of that same year.

There have been several big leaguers with the last name "Elder" but through 2020 there have been none with the last name "Younger".

Related Sites

• George Elder at the SABR Bio Project
• "Stick with baseball"