George Freese - Baseball

A star at third base for the Portland Beavers from 1957-60. Freese was all-Pacific Coast League in 1958 and 1959, hitting .305 and .319, respectively, both team highs. He also led the ‘58 Beavers in home runs, with 35. George’s athletic career began in Wheeling West Virginia, where he lettered in football, basketball and track. From there, he went on to Pitt, where as a freshman in 1944, he was starting quarterback. He served in the Air Force until 1946, and when discharged, he received a scholarship to West Virginia University, where he lettered in 1946-1947 as an all star quarterback. He was involved in professional baseball for 26 years, with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, Hollywood Stars, LA Angels, and Portland Beavers. The 6-0, 190-pounder coached for the Chicago Cubs, scouted for years and worked as a minor-league manager.

Freese has been a Portland resident since 1958, and remains a member of the Oregon Old Timers Association.