Oglethorpe University

Charles Peter “Greek” “Charley” George was an all-around athlete and studied physical education.

George came to Oglethorpe on an athletic scholarship, and received an offer from the MLB’s Cleveland Indians in his sophomore year. He was also on the basketball team. A 1932 piece in the Atlanta Constitution noted “he has a build like a Greek god of mythology and is counted on to aid Oglethorpe in football next fall like he has in baseball this season (which is plenty). George batted .510 in the Dixie League 1932 season.  He dyed his hair bright red to stand out as one of the few red-headed Greeks in existence.”

George went on to play in the MLB for five years, starting with the Cleveland Indians in 1935. In between major league teams, he also played for the minor leagues. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers (1938) and Chicago Cubs (1941), then his last season was with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1945.  George’s MLB career ended after he was suspended for punching an umpire and decided not to return. He remained in the minor leagues until retiring in 1952. He received the Southern Association MVP Award in 1940 while in the minor leagues.

George was born on Christmas Day of 1912 in Waycross, Georgia to Alice and Peter George Handrinos. Peter and Alice immigrated to the US from Greece not long before Charles was born, and Peter decided to drop their traditional surname in favor of his middle name.

Charles George has also been named to the Glynn County Sports Hall of Fame for his high school achievements at Glynn Academy.  He married his wife Helen in October of 1935 and they had five children. He passed away on August 18th, 1999 at the age of 86.