The Unlikely Teacher and His Star Pupil
Among the Xaverian Brothers at St. Mary's Industrial School, Brother Matthias was a legendary figure. Born in Nova Scotia as John Boutlier, he had joined the religious order in his early twenties and had been assigned to the Baltimore institution where he spent his entire career. He was a man of immense physical presence, towering over most of his students at six-foot-four, with shoulders that seemed impossibly broad and hands that could palm a baseball as if it were a grape. Despite his imposing frame, he possessed a gentle disposition that endeared him to the boys, who instinctively understood that his discipline was always delivered with a measure of kindness.
Brother Matthias was a natural athlete who had maintained his physical prowess well into middle age. He was known to hit baseballs to the school's outfielders with a smooth, powerful swing that sent the ball arcing in a high, majestic parabola. He also possessed a strong throwing arm and could still handle himself in a physical confrontation when necessary—a crucial skill for someone charged with maintaining order among hundreds of adolescent boys.
But it was his understanding of baseball that made Brother Matthias invaluable. He had played the game extensively in his youth, and he had studied the mechanics of pitching and hitting with unusual attention. He understood, in ways that were not widely appreciated in the early twentieth century, that baseball was a game of angles, timing, and leverage. He taught these principles to his students, instilling in them a deep appreciation for the technical aspects of the game.
When George arrived at St. Mary's at age seven, Brother Matthias took immediate notice of the boy. Young George was a challenging case—defiant, angry, and deeply suspicious of authority. He had been dumped at the institution by his parents after years of antisocial behavior, and he seemed determined to prove that he would not be reformed by anyone. He fought with other boys, talked back to the brothers, and seemed to view the entire institution as his personal adversary.
Brother Matthias saw beyond George's behavior to the potential underneath. He recognized that George was not simply a troublemaker but a boy who had been deeply hurt and who was lashing out in the only way he knew. He also saw that George had remarkable physical gifts, including exceptional hand-eye coordination and a powerful build that would serve him well in athletics.
From Troublemaker to Baseball Prodigy
Brother Matthias began working with George on the baseball field, using the game as a vehicle for discipline and personal growth. He understood that George craved attention and approval, and he used baseball to provide those things in a positive context. He spent hours throwing batting practice to George, teaching him the fundamentals of hitting. He also worked with George on his throwing mechanics, helping him develop the pitching skills that would eventually make him a star.
George responded with an enthusiasm he had shown for nothing else in his life. He loved baseball with an intensity that bordered on obsession. He would play all day if allowed, and he would often practice alone for hours when no one else was available. He worked tirelessly to master the skills Brother Matthias taught him, and his progress was remarkable.
The mentorship relationship deepened over the years. Brother Matthias became the first adult to show George consistent, unconditional support. He did not judge George for his background or his past misdeeds; he simply accepted him as he was and worked to help him become something better. George, in turn, came to view Brother Matthias as a father figure, a role model whose approval mattered more than anyone else's.
Baseball became the central organizing principle of George's life at St. Mary's. He played as often as possible, on the school's teams and in pickup games with other boys. His reputation as a player spread beyond the institution; local teams and college players would sometimes come to St. Mary's to compete against the school's best players, and George was always the one they wanted to face.
The Many Positions of a Young Phenomenon
George's early baseball experiences were marked by constant experimentation with different positions. He started as a catcher, a position that required toughness, quick reflexes, and a strong throwing arm—all qualities George possessed in abundance. Catching in the early twentieth century was a brutal occupation; catchers wore minimal protective gear and had to stand up to the constant punishment of foul tips and collisions at the plate. George thrived on the physical challenge, and his enthusiasm for the position earned him respect from his teammates and opponents alike.
As he got older, George was shifted to pitcher, where his arm strength and competitive temperament could be fully utilized. He developed a devastating fastball that seemed to explode out of his hand, and he worked tirelessly to master a curveball that would fool even the best hitters. The Xaverian Brothers were increasingly certain that George had what it took to become a professional pitcher, and they began to make inquiries about possible opportunities.
But George's hitting was equally remarkable. From a young age, he displayed power that seemed improbable for someone his age. He hit baseballs farther than boys much older and larger, sending them over the outfield fences of St. Mary's fields with breathtaking regularity. Brother Matthias encouraged his hitting development, recognizing that George's power was a special gift that could take him far in the game.
By the time George reached his mid-teens, he was perhaps the best all-around player in the history of St. Mary's. He was both a dominant pitcher and a fearsome hitter, capable of beating teams with his arm, his bat, or both. His reputation had spread throughout Baltimore, and he was discussed as a possible professional prospect by local baseball enthusiasts.
The Unique Swing That Would Change Baseball
One of the most significant contributions Brother Matthias made to George's development was the refinement of his hitting style. In the early twentieth century, baseball hitting was generally characterized by a restrained, controlled approach. Hitters were taught to make contact rather than to swing for power. Bunting, slapping the ball to the opposite field, and hitting to advance runners were valued more highly than hitting home runs.
Brother Matthias recognized that George's natural power set him apart from other hitters. Instead of trying to restrain George's swing, he encouraged him to unleash it. He taught George to stride into the ball, using his powerful lower body to generate momentum and bat speed. He emphasized a big, looping swing that would maximize George's ability to generate power.
The swing that Brother Matthias helped develop was revolutionary for its time. George did not choke up on the bat like most hitters; he held it at the very end, extending his arms for maximum leverage. He took a massive stride toward the pitcher, shifting his weight forward and generating incredible bat speed. His swing was long and sweeping, but it was also remarkably consistent—he rarely swung and missed, even though he swung for the fences on nearly every pitch.
This approach to hitting was controversial. Many coaches and experts of the time believed that George's power swing would make him vulnerable to off-speed pitches and would lead to a high number of strikeouts. But Brother Matthias understood that George was special, that his hand-eye coordination was so exceptional that he could swing for power without sacrificing contact. He trusted his star pupil's abilities and encouraged him to develop his power to its full potential.
The Final Years at St. Mary's and the Brother's Full Realization
As George entered his late teens, Brother Matthias came to a profound realization: he was not just training a good ballplayer, but a potential superstar. He began to make contacts in the baseball world, reaching out to semiprofessional and professional teams to see if there was interest in his star pupil. He was determined to help George transition from St. Mary's to a professional career, and he worked tirelessly to make that happen.
George's skills continued to improve throughout his late teens. By 1913, at age eighteen, he was an extraordinary athlete with a powerful build. He stood six feet tall and weighed about 170 pounds—not yet the massive figure he would become, but already formidable. He threw with the velocity of a major league pitcher and hit with the power of a future Hall of Famer.
The Xaverian Brothers made a crucial decision about George's future: they would allow him to pursue a professional baseball career when the right opportunity came along. This was a significant departure from the usual fate of St. Mary's graduates, who typically went into trades or semi-skilled labor. The brothers recognized that George had a God-given talent that could lift him out of poverty, and they were determined to help him achieve his potential.
Brother Matthias would remain a crucial figure in George's life even after he left St. Mary's. They would correspond regularly, and George would visit the institution whenever he was in Baltimore. In 1926, George would demonstrate his gratitude in a spectacular fashion: he bought Brother Matthias a brand-new Cadillac, a lavish gift that reflected the deep affection and respect he felt for his mentor. When the car was later destroyed in an accident, George bought him another one without hesitation.
Throughout his life, George would speak of Brother Matthias with tremendous admiration and gratitude. He said that Brother Matthias was "the finest man I ever knew" and credited him with saving his life. The relationship between the troubled boy from Pigtown and the gentle giant from Nova Scotia was one of the most significant and meaningful in George's entire life—a testament to the power of mentorship and the transformative potential of sport.