George Estock
Encyclopedia
George John Estock was a pitcher
who played in Major League Baseball
with the Boston Braves
during the 1951 season.
Estock graduated from Warren Harding High School
in Bridgeport, Connecticut
, in 1942 and was pitching in a summer league afterward when baseball scouts began to notice him. Soon, the Scranton Miners offered him $100 a month and a $100 signing bonus to play ball.
He was signed as an amateur free agent by the Boston Red Sox
in 1943. Prior to the 1944 season, he was sent to the Philadelphia Phillies
franchise, and in March 1946 Estock was sent to Pittsburgh Pirates
to complete an earlier deal. Prior to the 1947 season, the Pirates sent Estock to the Austin Pioneers the Big State League
. Three years later, the Braves purchased his contract from Austin.
Estock played for several minor league teams, including the Wilmington Blue Rocks
, where his 22 wins in the 1945 season is still a club and league record.
After being purchasedby the Braves, Estock was assigned to AA Milwaukee, where he went 16-8 with 3.35 earned-run average. That earned him a shot at the big leagues the following year. In 1951, he reached the majors, playing for the Boston Braves alongside future Hall of Famers Johnny Sain
and Warren Spahn
, who were amng the major’s most successful left-handed pitchers.
Estock spent one full season with the Braves, appearing in 37 games, all but one in relief. His only start came in the second game of a doubleheader against the Pirates. He pitched well, giving up three runs in eight innings, but was the loser in what would turn out to be his only big league decision when Cliff Chambers
threw a no-hitter against the Braves. Estock finished the year with an 0-1 record and a 4.33 ERA. He managed two hits hits in seven at-bats for a .286 batting average.
Estock spent 1952 with the minor league Milwaukee Brewers
, going 6-3 with a 3.10 ERA. He stayed in baseball until 1955, spending time with the Toledo Mud Hens
, Jacksonville Braves, Atlanta Crackers
and finishing up with the York White Roses of the Piedmont League in 1955. Estock spent 13 seasons in pro baseball before retiring at age 30.
At his retirement he spoke of his introduction to a future Braves Hall of Famer: "I was pitching batting practice to a young kid who was up for a tryout during spring training in 1952. He was hitting me pretty good so I started to put a little extra on the ball, but he just kept it up. He really stood out. I asked him his name, and he answered, 'My name is Hank Aaron.'"
Estock was inducted into the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame in 1988.
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who played in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
with the Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
during the 1951 season.
Estock graduated from Warren Harding High School
Warren Harding High School
Warren Harding High School is a public high school in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The cornerstone of Warren Harding High School was laid on May 10, 1924 and the school opened on September 9, 1925...
in Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Located in Fairfield County, the city had an estimated population of 144,229 at the 2010 United States Census and is the core of the Greater Bridgeport area...
, in 1942 and was pitching in a summer league afterward when baseball scouts began to notice him. Soon, the Scranton Miners offered him $100 a month and a $100 signing bonus to play ball.
He was signed as an amateur free agent by the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in 1943. Prior to the 1944 season, he was sent to the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
franchise, and in March 1946 Estock was sent to Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
to complete an earlier deal. Prior to the 1947 season, the Pirates sent Estock to the Austin Pioneers the Big State League
Big State League
The Big State League was a mid-level, Class B circuit in American minor league baseball that played for 11 seasons, from 1947 through 1957. Its member clubs were exclusively based in Texas. It saw a lot of transition in its 11-year lifetime, with no team serving as a member in every single season....
. Three years later, the Braves purchased his contract from Austin.
Estock played for several minor league teams, including the Wilmington Blue Rocks
Wilmington Blue Rocks
The Wilmington Blue Rocks are a Minor League Baseball team located in Wilmington, Delaware. The Blue Rocks play in the Northern Division of the Carolina League.-Franchise history:...
, where his 22 wins in the 1945 season is still a club and league record.
After being purchasedby the Braves, Estock was assigned to AA Milwaukee, where he went 16-8 with 3.35 earned-run average. That earned him a shot at the big leagues the following year. In 1951, he reached the majors, playing for the Boston Braves alongside future Hall of Famers Johnny Sain
Johnny Sain
John Franklin Sain was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who was best known for teaming with left-hander Warren Spahn on the Boston Braves teams from 1946 to 1951...
and Warren Spahn
Warren Spahn
Warren Edward Spahn was an American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career in the National League. He won 20 games each in 13 seasons, including a 23-7 record when he was age 42...
, who were amng the major’s most successful left-handed pitchers.
Estock spent one full season with the Braves, appearing in 37 games, all but one in relief. His only start came in the second game of a doubleheader against the Pirates. He pitched well, giving up three runs in eight innings, but was the loser in what would turn out to be his only big league decision when Cliff Chambers
Cliff Chambers
Clifford Day Chambers , was a former professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1948-1953. He played for the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, and St...
threw a no-hitter against the Braves. Estock finished the year with an 0-1 record and a 4.33 ERA. He managed two hits hits in seven at-bats for a .286 batting average.
Estock spent 1952 with the minor league Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers (minor league baseball team)
The Milwaukee Brewers were a Minor League Baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They played in the American Association from 1902 through 1952.-A Milwaukee Tradition:...
, going 6-3 with a 3.10 ERA. He stayed in baseball until 1955, spending time with the Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
, Jacksonville Braves, Atlanta Crackers
Atlanta Crackers
The Atlanta Crackers were minor league baseball teams based in Atlanta, Georgia, between 1901 and 1965. The Crackers were Atlanta's home team until the Atlanta Braves moved from Milwaukee in 1966....
and finishing up with the York White Roses of the Piedmont League in 1955. Estock spent 13 seasons in pro baseball before retiring at age 30.
At his retirement he spoke of his introduction to a future Braves Hall of Famer: "I was pitching batting practice to a young kid who was up for a tryout during spring training in 1952. He was hitting me pretty good so I started to put a little extra on the ball, but he just kept it up. He really stood out. I asked him his name, and he answered, 'My name is Hank Aaron.'"
Estock was inducted into the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame in 1988.