Winkleman pitched only one game in the majors, a loss to Kansas City in 1886. Washington was in desperate need for pitching so it was understandable that they would place a call to a well known local amateur pitcher.
Monday 2 August
Kansas City 12
Washington 10
Here is the write up.
This game was a regular slugging match, in which the hits were even, but the home club had a little the better of it in total bases. The Statesman try George Winkelman in the box. He is the noted amateur player from the District. Winkleman is wild but poor defense, twelve total errors, primarily by Jimmy Knowles, Cliff Carroll and Phil Baker, cost him the game. Pete Conway gets the win despite giving up seven earned runs.
The Nationals had a game won from the Kansas City team but by careless and indifferent play at critical moments they threw away their chances and allowed the Cowboys to win by a score of 12 to 10 Indeed many of the spectators present said that the local team were not trying to play ball and if appearances go for anything such would appear to be the case for the local Statesmen can offer no excuse for losing a contest that was so easily within their grasp Many bad games have been seen at Capitol Park during the past season but none it is safe to say disgusted the crowd present more than that of today. Both clubs batted the ball bard and often but the local teams hits were the longest and they are credited with seven earned runs to the visitors three; however, the numerous errors made by the Nationals overbalanced their baiting and of course it
was the usual thing, the visitors had only to wait until the home boys got rattled and then they went on and won. Twelve errors for Washington, seven by the battery
It is the only major league start for the 21 year old native of the District. George was a southpaw who broke in with Lynchburg, Virginia at $100 a month. Back then they used to stuff grass in their gloves for padding. “I was a fair batter and didn’t like it at the time but had to go out in the field when I wasn’t pitching or my paycheck wouldn’t show up.” His three year minor league career from 1887 to 1890, took him to Louisville, Milwaukee and finally to Hartford. He retired from the game and then spent 40 years working for the government. When he retired in 1939 Clark Griffith gave him a job manning the turnstiles at Griffith Stadium. His minor league record is 44-56.
In August 1959, Winkleman was on hand to celebrate the 100th anniversary of baseball in the nation’s capital. All the living members of the 1924 team were on hand. Also attending were most of the members of the 1925 team and the 1933 aggregation. Well known players like Joe Cronin, George McBride and Bucky Harris were in attendance.
Did you know? Winkleman was Clark Griffith’s roommate in Milwaukee when the “Old Fox” broke into baseball.
He died in Washington on 19 May 1960 at the age of 95.
