Books and articles about George Altman

The lefthanded hitter improved his average each of his four years as a Cub regular, reaching a career-high .318 in 1962. In 1961 he had 27 home runs, led the NL in triples (12), and hit an All-Star Game pinch homer. Traded to the Cardinals in 1963, his home run production and BA plummeted. After another poor year with the Mets, he returned to the Cubs for three years as a pinch hitter.

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Playing in Japan for Lotte and Hanshin, 1968-75, he hit .309 with 205 HR, and credited martial arts training for his improvement. (JCA)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » September 23, 1959: The Cubs continue to dash the Giants' pennant hopes as Cal Neeman's 10th-inning HR gives Chicago a 9-8 win. The Cubs won the day before 5-4, on George Altman's 9th-inning, 2-run HR. » April 24, 1960: George Altman of the Cubs earns a "3-ball walk," as umpire Ken Burkhart accidentally counts a balk as a ball in Chicago's game against the Giants. The Cubs add some offense and win, 9–4, behind Don Elston. Billy Loes loses. » May 13, 1960: 15th Two days after being traded from the Phillies to the Cubs, Don Cardwell pitches a no-hitter. A brilliant, leaping catch of Carl Sawatski's drive by RF George Altman in the 8th inning saves Cardwell's gem. Ernie Banks' home run paces the 4–0 win, the first no-hitter against the Cards since May 11, 1919. » September 18, 1960: Don Zimmer, Ron Santo, and George Altman hit 6th-inning home runs as the Cubs beat the Dodgers 5–2 at Wrigley Field. Chicago's biggest home run threat, Ernie Banks, sets a record by drawing his 27th intentional walk of the year. » June 23, 1961: Ernie Banks voluntarily takes the bench as a sore knee brings his 717 consecutive-games-played streak to an end. The streak started August 26, 1956. The Bank-less Cubs still win 5–3 over the Braves at Wrigley. Joe Adcock, who applied the hidden ball trick last August 31 to George Altman, nabs another Cub, Billy Williams in the 8th. » August 4, 1961: With a little help from George Altman, the Cubs Bob Anderson outpitches Sandy Koufax, and beats the Dodgers, 4–2. Altman hits two homers off Koufax, the first time anyone has done that off the Dodgers lefty. » October 17, 1962: Pitchers Larry Jackson and Lindy McDaniel and C Jimmie Schaffer are traded by St. Louis to the Cubs for P Don Cardwell, OF George Altman, and C Moe Thacker. » November 4, 1963: The Cards acquire P Roger Craig from the Mets for OF George Altman and P Bill Wakefield. Craig was the National League's top loser the past two seasons with the lowly Mets, dropping 24 and 22 games. » May 23, 1965: The Dodgers score two in the 1st off Bob Buhl, but then are shut out for the next 15 innings by Cubs pitching. Chicago scores in the 6th and 9th and finally in the 16th on a bases loaded walk to George Altman. Dick Ellsworth is the winner over Howie Reed in the longest game of the year.