George Van Haltren

George Edward Martin Van Haltren (March 30, 1866 – October 1, 1945) was an American center fielder in Major League Baseball. In his 17-year career, lasting from 1887 through 1903, he played for the Chicago White Stockings, Brooklyn Ward's Wonders, Baltimore Orioles, Pittsburgh Pirates, and New York Giants. A .316 career hitter, Van Haltren recorded 2,544 career hits, fifth most in major league history when he retired.

Early life Van Haltren was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1866. In 1868, his family moved to Oakland, California. Van Haltren played baseball as a child and became a pitcher. His play attracted the attention of the major leagues, and in 1887, he signed with the Chicago White Stockings.

Major League Baseball career Van Haltren made his major league debut in June 1887. He was a pitcher and outfielder that season and had a win–loss record of 11–7 and a batting average of .203. The following year, he went 13–13 and batted .283. As a full-time left fielder in 1889, Van Haltren batted .322 with 126 runs scored and 81 runs batted in. He then signed with the Brooklyn Ward's Wonders of the Players' League and pitched and played right field for them. He went 15–10 and batted .335. After the 1890 season, Van Haltren joined the American Association's Baltimore Orioles. He played at shortstop and fielded poorly, but he batted .318. In 1892, Van Haltren became the player-manager of the National League's Baltimore club. He managed the team to a 1–10 record before being replaced. Late in the season, he was sent to Pittsburgh in exchange for Joe Kelley and $2,000. He batted .293 that year. In 1893, he batted .338 and scored 129 runs in 124 games.

In 1889, Van Haltren married Blanche O'Brien. They had two daughters, Mary Elizabeth (born in 1890) and Dorothy (born in 1895). Van Haltren died in Oakland in 1945.