George Case is remembered as one of the greatest basestealers of all time, although
his career was abbreviated by injuries. The Washington outfielder set a record by
leading the ML in stolen bases five straight seasons (1939-43), and led again in
1945. Case's 61 stolen bases in 1943 was the highest ML single-season total in the
period 1921-61. A three-time .300 hitter, Case scored an AL-leading 102 runs in 1943;
that year, he was the AL's starting right fielder in the first night
All-Star Game.
In
Bill Veeck's first ML promotion, Case raced Jesse Owens and lost. Case worked
as a coach in the Mariner farm system.
(TJ)