George Werley

George William Werley

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 196 lb.
• High School St. Louis University
• High School St. Louis University High School
• Debut September 29, 1956
• Final Game September 29, 1956
• Born September 8, 1938 in St. Louis, MO USA
• Died November 21, 2013 in St. Louis, MO USA

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Biographical Information

George Werley was signed as an amateur free agent by the Baltimore Orioles on September 2, 1956. The right-hander from St. Louis, MO, made his major league debut and exit with the Orioles barely a week later, on September 29th, three weeks after his 18th birthday. Facing the Washington Senators, George worked in one inning of relief, allowing one run on one base hit and walking two. He came into the game in the bottom of the 8th inning, replacing relief pitcher Bill Wight. In quick succession he retired the first two batters, Herb Plews and Ed Fitz Gerald. He then began to struggle, walking the next two batters - Pete Runnels and Roy Sievers - and allowing a single to Jim Lemon, which drove Runnels home from second. The next batter he faced was future Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew, then only 20 years old himself, - who grounded out.

The young pitcher spent 1957 with the Fitzgerald Orioles of the Georgia-Florida League and the Aberdeen Pheasants of the Northern League, going 2-4 in a combined season, appearing in 25 games. One year made a lot of difference and in 1958, Werley was a different pitcher, spending the season with the Dublin Orioles of the same Georgia-Florida League, but winning 16 games with 10 losses and a 4.28 ERA while pitching 208 innings. His 16 wins were a league-leading number.

1959 rolled around and George rolled with it, pitching for three clubs - the Pensacola Dons, Stockton Ports and again with the Aberdeen Pheasants. He put together a 6-8 record with a 5.02 ERA in 30 appearances. These numbers added up to a three-year minor league record of 24-22 and a 4.99 ERA in 88 games. Werley decided against another season, seeking gainful employment elsewhere.

George went to work for the Wenzel Tent and Bag Company in St. Louis, MO, eventually becoming president of the company. He passed away in 2013 at age 75

Sources

Baseball Players of the 1950s

Related Sites

• George Werley at the SABR Bio Project