"Buck" Weaver

Full Name: George Daniel Weaver

Nickname: Buck

Bats: Both

Throws: Right

   George Daniel Weaver was born on August 18, 1890 in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. According to most who met him, George was a cheerful and happy soul with an intense passion for baseball. Sometime around his 18th birthday, Curt McGann tagged George with the name "Buck" as a result of this happy-go-lucky attitude. Later on, Irving Sanborn of the Chicago Tribune called him the "Ginger Kid". That name stuck too, but not as well as Buck.
   Weaver started his professional career with a team in Northhampton, MA. The team was a member of the semi-pro Connecticut State League. While there, Buck caught the attention of Charley Dooin (the Phillies manager). Thus, Buck signed a contract with the York White Roses in his home state of Pennsylvania. By 1910, he had caught the eye of Ted Sullivan, a former pro manager, who was a scout for the ChiSox. Ted sent Weaver to play for the PCL San Fransisco Seals for $200 a month. He spent one season with the Seals before getting the call to the majors.
   Just before he left to join the White Sox at Spring Training, Buck found out that his mother had died. At his father's insistence, Buck went to Waco to join his new team. He made the club as a Shortstop, but performed horribly in 1912. In order to help secure his place with the Pale Hoes, Buck learned to switch-hit in between 1912 and 1913.
   His hitting had improved imensley and in late 1913, he signed on to play in the World Tour. Over the next three-years, Bucks established himself as a fine offensive and defensive player. A quick perusal of his batting average would lead the casual fan to think he was not a very good hitter; but, between 1913-1916, Buck's cumulative batting average was right in line with the league average. Meanwhile, his defensive skills established him as one of the top defensive players in the game.
   1917 was a break out year for Buck. He switched from SS to 3B, and Baseball Magazine named him to their AL All-Star team. Also that year, he helped the Sox win the 1917 World Series in convincing fashion.