Despite his nickname, 'Piano Legs', George Gore was the major star of Cap Anson's Chicago White Stockings ( the team which is now called the Chicago Cubs ). Gore joined the White Stockings in 1879 and his great speed, high batting and outstanding fielding in centerfield helped the Chicago team win five pennants. 'Piano Legs' George Gore led the league in batting with .360 in 1880 and also led the league in runs twice. In 1886, Gore scored 150 runs and walked 102 times despite the rule requiring nine balls for a walk. He put together 4 straight 100 runs scored seasons. George Gore's was considered baseball's top clutch hitter in the 1880's, but his reputation for wine, woman and song often clashed with manager Anson's rules and Gore was traded to the New York Giants. 'Piano Legs' helped the Giants capture two straight pennants, 1888-89. George Gore' lifetime stats include a .301 batting mark and he scored 1,327 runs in 1,310 games, over one run per/game. Gore was born in Saccarappa, Maine on May 3, 1857 and despite his late hours and heavy drinking, he lived until the age of 76 and died in Utica, New York. baseballhistorian.com (Green Boxes) - Baseball History |