Jumbo McGinnis

George Washington McGinnis

• Bats Unknown, Throws Unknown
• Height 5' 10", Weight 197 lb.

• Debut May 2, 1882
• Final Game June 10, 1887
• Born February 22, 1854 in Alton, MO USA
• Died May 18, 1934 in St. Louis, MO USA

BR page

Biographical Information

"George McGinnis is now an umpire in this League (the Western Association). Mac, in the early part of the American Association, was the king bee among pitchers." - Sporting Life of July 20, 1895

George Washington "Jumbo" McGinnis played six seasons in the American Association, winning 20+ games three times. He was part of the St. Louis Browns team under manager Charlie Comiskey that won the pennant in 1885-86, although McGinnis was with them only part of 1886.

With the Browns he was a local boy, having been born in Missouri.

McGinnis is one of three major leaguers (through 2010) with that last name. That other two are Gus McGinnis and Russ McGinnis.

After his playing days he became an "expert glass blower". He also served as a minor league umpire and ran a saloon. He also umpired a total of three games in the American Association, in 1888 and 1889.

The book Chris Von der Ahe and the St. Louis Browns refers to him as George McGinnis, as did Sporting Life when it reported on him during his career.

"In 1878 the St. Louis Browns withdrew from the League. In 1879 I organized the St. Louis Browns. George McGinnis pitched . . . the Gleason brothers (Billy and Jack) played short and first . . . Our chief rivals in St. Louis were the St. Louis Reds . . . Galvin and Silver Flint were the best men turned out by the Reds. We beat everything, the Akrons, of Akron, O., with Tony Mullane in the box, being our only superiors." - reminiscences of Ned Cuthbert in Sporting Life, 1892

Notable Achievements

• AA Shutouts Leader (1883)
• 20 Wins Seasons: 3 (1882-1884)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 4 (1882-1884 & 1886)
• 300 Innings Pitched seasons: 3 (1882-1884)

Related Sites

• Jumbo McGinnis at the SABR Bio Project