George Wilson (wilsosq01)

George Francis Wilson
(Squanto)

• Bats Both, Throws Right
• Height 5' 9½", Weight 170 lb.
• School Bowdoin College
• High School Waterville (ME) High School, Hebron Academy
• Debut October 2, 1911
• Final Game April 22, 1914
• Born March 29, 1889 in Old Town, ME USA
• Died March 26, 1967 in Winthrop, ME USA

BR page

Biographical Information

George "Squanto" Wilson was born in Maine, and attended Bowdoin College from 1909 to 1911. He made his major league debut in October 1911, playing 5 games at catcher with the Detroit Tigers. It was the year that Tiger Ty Cobb hit .420. Wilson made 3 errors in his 5 games.

He came back for one game in April 1914 with the Boston Red Sox, playing his last major league game three months before pitcher Babe Ruth made his debut with the same team. He was a year younger than teammate Tris Speaker and a year older than teammate Smoky Joe Wood.

The reason for him being nicknamed "Squanto" is unknown to this day. Close friends of Wilson who were interviewed about it said they do not recall him being of Native American heritage or even knowing any Native American people for that matter, though one person suggested that it could have been given to him if someone thought he "looked Native American," much like how other white players such as George Cuppy and William Barbeau ended up with distasteful nicknames.

Related Sites

• Squanto Wilson at the SABR Bio Project