George Spriggs

George Herman Spriggs

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 175 lb.
• High School Wiley H. Bates High School
• Debut September 15, 1965
• Final Game October 1, 1970
• Born May 22, 1937 in Jewell, MD USA
• Died December 22, 2020 in Prince Frederick, MD USA

BR page

Biographical Information

George Spriggs played five seasons in the major leagues. Before that, he played in the very last throes of the Negro Leagues, appearing in 1960 with the Detroit-New Orleans Stars. Earlier, he was with other Negro Leagues teams.

The book Baseball in Asheville says that his .322 batting average was the second best in the Southern League in 1964. George led the Southern League that year in stolen bases with 33, and followed that up with leading the AAA International League in stolen bases in 1965 and 1966 with the Pittsburgh Pirates' top farm team, the Columbus Jets.

A 1993 article in the Bay Weekly (Volume 1, Issue 6) says that he was involved with the Chesapeake Independent League. The article mentions that he previously played, in addition to the majors, in winter leagues in Mexico, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic.

The article continues to say that his uncle, Fulton Spriggs, played for a Baltimore black team, which needed an additional outfielder, and so George came along. At 18, he joined the Kansas City Monarchs. Later, he was drafted but played service ball in Germany. In 1965 he led the International League with 66 stolen bases. For his first at-bat in the majors, he drew Juan Marichal as the pitcher.

He started 1971 with the Tidewater Tides but early in the season hurt his knee.

His son Geno Spriggs was a non-prospect with the Pirates but after two minor league seasons died in a car accident. George's team in the Chesapeake league, the Twins, play at Geno's Field, behind George's house.

Notable Achievements

• 1970 MVP American Association Omaha Royals