Specs Toporcer

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George Toporcer
born George Toporczer
(Specs)

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10½", Weight 165 lb.

• Debut April 13, 1921
• Final Game June 2, 1928
• Born February 9, 1899 in New York, NY USA
• Died May 17, 1989 in Huntington Station, NY USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Specs Toporcer earned his nickname as the first major league position player to wear glasses on the field. He spent eight years, from 1921 to 1928, with the St. Louis Cardinals, primarily as a utility infielder. He was the team's regular shortstop in 1922 and had his best season at the plate, hitting .324.

After his major league days, Toporcer played in the minors for the Rochester Red Wings of the International League for seven seasons starting in 1928. In 1929 he was unofficially named the International League MVP. During the 1932 season, he took over as player/manager of the team, but he retired as a player and left the Red Wings after the 1934 season due to his failing eyesight. Overall, in 880 games with Rochester, he scored a team-record 628 runs and stole a team-record 113 bases.

After leaving Rochester, Toporcer managed several teams in the minors. He was the head of the Chicago White Sox farm system in 1949 [1]. In 1951, while managing the Buffalo Bisons, he became blind after a failed surgery to save his failing vision. In 1949 he was elected to the International League Hall of Fame.

Toporcer died at age 90 after a fall in his home.

Notable Achievements

• Won a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1926

Related Sites

• Specs Toporcer at the SABR Bio Project
• Toporcer obituary
• Rochester Red Wings Hall of Fame