George Toolson

George Earl Toolson

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 205 lb.

• Born September 30, 1922 in Burley, ID USA
• Died November 22, 1987 in Garden Grove, CA USA

BR minors page

Biographical Information

Pitcher George Toolson was one of the early challengers to baseball's reserve clause when he was traded to the New York Yankees organization. He was first assigned to Newark, then to Binghamton but refused to report to Binghamton and was placed on the ineligible list. He moved to California and sued the Yankees, both major leagues, the Pacific Coast League and two PCL clubs, claiming he had been effectively banned from baseball. He asked for $375,000 in damages but the case was thrown out in 1951. The case reached the Supreme Court on appeal in 1953, but the case was ruled in favor of baseball.