George Sisler: The St. Louis Sizzler Biography Art Print 1950
The page from the 1950 Big Time Baseball publication highlights George Sisler, famously dubbed "The St. Louis Sizzler." In 1911, as a freshman at the University of Michigan, Sisler delivered an impressive pitching performance by striking out 20 of 21 batters in a seven-inning practice game. This caught the attention of Michigan coach Branch Rickey, who later, as manager of the St. Louis Browns, recruited Sisler to the major leagues. During his initial batting attempt, amid rookie audacity, he queried Rickey where to aim, prompting the manager to suggest "right-field fence," a direction Sisler met with success. Despite his pitching prowess, Sisler's hitting skills led the Browns to transition him to first base. In 1920, he set an unsurpassed single-season record with 257 hits, and by 1922, he achieved a .420 slugging percentage, matching Ty Cobb's American League mark and earning the MVP title.