George Genovese

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George Michael Genovese

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Biographical Information[edit]

George Genovese went to Port Richmond High School in Staten Island, NY. When he graduated in 1940 he went to a tryout camp in Waterbury, CT and was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals. He had two older brothers, Frank and Anthony, who played professional baseball.

George played in 1940 and 1941 for the Hamilton Red Wings in the Class D PONY League. In 1942 while with the Asheville Tourists in the Class B Piedmont League he got his draft notice and was allowed to finish the season and then was inducted into the Army Signal Corps which was later part of the Army Air Force. He received his training at Drew Field, FL where he played baseball while attending radar school. He was then sent to the Pacific where he was at Okinawa. He was discharged from the service in March 1946.

Genovese returned to baseball and spent the 1946 season with the Lynchburg Cardinals in the Piedmont League. In 1947 he played for the Omaha Cardinals in the Class A Western League. In 1948 he left the Cardinals chain, and was with the Denver Bears of the Western League and the Hollywood Stars of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League. The 1949 season was again with Hollywood. After the season, he was drafted by the Washington Senators in the 1949 Rule V Draft.

Genovese began his major league career on April 29, 1950, appearing for the Senators as a pinch hitter for pitcher Ray Scarborough. He walked against New York Yankees' pitcher Allie Reynolds in his first career plate appearance. In his next game, on May 5th, Genovese pinch hit for pitcher Mickey Harris and grounded out. He pinch ran for catcher Al Evans in his third and final game (May 6th), scoring a run when Eddie Yost doubled him home two batters later.

Later in the 1950 season, he was sent to the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Class AA Southern Association. He then played seven more seasons in the minor leagues and retired from playing. Genovese also managed the Tigres de México from 1955 to 1958.

A shortstop in the minors, Genovese played in at least 1,387 games, collecting at least 1,162 hits (of which at least 241 were for extra bases).

After managing in the San Francisco Giants chain for four years, Genovese was a scout for the club for over 20 years. Genovese signed Bobby Bonds, George Foster, Gary Matthews and Royce Clayton for the Giants, among others. He also scouted for the St. Louis Cardinals, Florida Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Year-by-Year Managerial Record[edit]

Year Team League Record Finish Organization Playoffs Notes
1952 Batavia Clippers PONY League 57-68 5th Pittsburgh Pirates
1953 St. Jean Canadians Provincial League 57-65 6th Pittsburgh Pirates
1954 Hutchinson Elks Western Association -- Pittsburgh Pirates -- replaced by Larry Dorton July 19
Salinas Packers California League 21-30 7th none replaced Paul Pettit (0-1) on July 23
1955 Tigres de México Mexican League 53-47 1st (t) Pittsburgh Pirates League Champs
1956 Tigres de México Mexican League 73-45 2nd Pittsburgh Pirates none
1957 Tigres de México Mexican League 63-57 3rd Pittsburgh Pirates Lost League Finals
1958 Tigres de México Mexican League 52-68 5th none
1960 Artesia Giants Sophomore League 62-68 4th San Francisco Giants
1961 El Paso Sun Kings Sophomore League 73-57 2nd San Francisco Giants
1962 El Paso Sun Kings Texas League 80-60 1st San Francisco Giants Lost in 1st round
1963 El Paso Sun Kings Texas League 68-72 4th San Francisco Giants Lost in 1st round

Further Reading[edit]

  • George Genovese and Dan Taylor: A Scout's Report: My 70 Years in Baseball, McFarland, Jefferson, NC, 2015. ISBN 978-0-7864-9730-0
  • George Genovese and Dan Taylor: Fate's Take-Out Slide: A Baseball Scout Recalls Can't-Miss Prospects Who Did, McFarland, Jefferson, NC, 2017. ISBN 978-1-4766-7010-2

Related Sites[edit]

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