One of the finest defensive second basemen of the Deadball Era, George Cutshaw normally led his position in putouts and assists every year. His legacy gains more weight now with the advent of all those new defensive stats since Cutty scores very well in the new range factor stat. But George also brought a little extra offensively. He hit for a decent average, ran the bases well and had modest pop in the day when the ball was deceased.
Cutshaw joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1912 and the following year he paced Major League second basemen in homeruns. Much better than his NL peers, Cutty led senior circuit second basemen in hits, triples, RBI and stolen bases. On the field, Cutty had a career high in doubles plays turned and led second basemen, which he often did, in putouts. A fine run-producing second baseman during the Deadball Era, George led National second basemen with 78 RBI in 1914. Like he did in 1913, Cutty also exceeded his position peers in other major offensive categories: hits, doubles, triples and stolen bases. The American League had Hall of Famer Eddie Collins leading the position in numerous offensive categories, and although Cutshaw was no Cocky Collins, he had a stranglehold on the stats among senior circuit second basemen.
Despite hitting .340 in 1921, the Pirates waived their aging second baseman and he caught on with Ty Cobb’s Tigers of Detroit. Cutty’s best years were behind him but he earned an MVP vote in 1922. After the 1923 season, Cutty went west and finished his career in the Pacific Coast League.
This Reach professional model glove was displayed at the Helms Hall and recorded in their records as having been used by George Cutshaw c.1910’s, the early portion of his career. The glove shows great usage wear throughout, yet shows no significant structural faults. Having been used by a player for which a strong Hall of Fame argument could be made, this rare glove is an absolute gem for any collector of pre-war leather.
Includes a Letter of Provenance from the Helms Athletic Foundation/LA84 Collection.