Pitching Dominance Continues
The 1917 season saw George continue his pitching dominance, winning 24 games and maintaining an earned run average under 2.50. His reputation as a pitcher was at its peak—he was considered by many to be the best left-handed pitcher in the American League, if not all of baseball. He could throw a baseball with terrifying velocity, and his curveball broke so sharply that hitters seemed to swing at pitches that were impossible to hit. His control had improved significantly, and he was now able to paint the corners of the strike zone with remarkable precision.
In one famous game that season, George had a confrontation with home plate umpire Clarence Owens that resulted in his ejection and a suspension. The incident was characteristic of George's temper—he had been arguing a call and had ended up in a heated exchange that nearly turned physical. The Red Sox fined him and suspended him for several games, a sign of the discipline problems that would plague his career. The incident also illustrated the changing nature of George's relationship with his team. While he was still one of the best players on the roster, he was becoming more difficult to manage. He was increasingly confident in his abilities, and he had become accustomed to being treated as a star. His relationships with his managers and coaches were becoming more strained as a result.
The 1917 season also marked a change in George's personal life. He and Helen adopted a daughter, Dorothy, though the circumstances of the adoption were complicated and would later be the subject of much speculation. Dorothy would become a central figure in George's life, and he would remain close to her throughout his later years. The adoption brought some stability to his home life, though his marriage to Helen continued to show signs of strain.
The Shift to Outfield
The 1918 season represented a crucial turning point in George's career. The Red Sox were facing a shortage of position players due to the demands of World War I, and manager Ed Barrow made a decision that would change baseball history: he began using George as a regular outfielder on days when he wasn't pitching. The decision was not entirely spontaneous. George had shown hitting ability from the very start of his career, and there had been speculation for some time about whether he might make a successful transition to a full-time hitting role. The war shortages gave Barrow an opportunity to experiment with a radical idea.
George responded enthusiastically to the transition. He had always enjoyed hitting more than pitching, and he welcomed the opportunity to focus on his hitting. He took to the outfield with surprising ease, showing good range and a strong throwing arm that had been developed during his years as a pitcher. His natural athleticism allowed him to adapt quickly to the demands of playing the outfield, and he soon became a competent defender.
The results were spectacular. George hit 11 home runs in 1918, leading the American League despite playing only a partial season. He also hit .300 for the year and drove in 66 runs, all while continuing to pitch effectively when needed. The Red Sox were beginning to realize that they had a hitting talent that might be even more valuable than his pitching ability. His power was unlike anything the league had ever seen from a player who also pitched regularly.
The 1918 World Series provided further evidence of George's hitting prowess. He hit two home runs in the series, helping the Red Sox win their fourth championship in seven seasons. The performance seemed to confirm that George could be a superstar even as a full-time hitter. His contributions at the plate were becoming more valuable than his contributions on the mound, and the team began to envision a future where he would be primarily an offensive player.
The Growing Discontent
Despite his success on the field, George's relationship with the Red Sox continued to deteriorate. Harry Frazee, the team's owner, was increasingly focused on his theatrical interests—he was a Broadway producer who invested heavily in shows that often failed. Frazee needed money to fund his theatrical ventures, and he saw George's contract as a potential source of cash. The tension between Frazee's financial needs and George's demands for fair compensation created an increasingly hostile environment.
George, for his part, felt deeply underappreciated. He had helped the Red Sox win multiple championships, he had been one of the best players in baseball, and yet he was not being paid what he felt he deserved. The tensions between player and owner were beginning to reach a boiling point. George had proven himself as both a pitcher and a hitter, and he believed he was worth more than the Red Sox were willing to pay.
Frazee's financial situation was indeed precarious. He had invested in several Broadway shows that had failed, and he was facing significant debts. The Red Sox, while profitable, were not generating enough cash to satisfy his needs. Selling a valuable player like George could provide the funds he desperately required. Frazee began to see George as a financial asset to be liquidated rather than a player to be retained.
The discussions about George's future became increasingly tense. Frazee demanded that George accept a lower salary, while George insisted that he was worth more. There were rumors that George might be traded or sold, and those rumors became louder as the off-season approached. The situation was a powder keg, and it was only a matter of time before something exploded. The combination of Frazee's financial desperation and George's growing dissatisfaction would soon lead to one of the most consequential transactions in sports history.