Title: Police officer, baseball player
Birthdate: September 28, 1848
Death Date: August 2, 1905
Plot Location: Section 21, Lot 118
George grew up in the City of Brotherly Love the youngest of four brothers whose father was a stone cutter.. His marriage to German immigrant Catherine “Katie” Myer began in 1872. Their family was completed with the births of their four boys, and the youngest of those happened to be named George. From the time he left school, George Sr. worked in the building trades, then began a 30-year career as a police officer in 1875.
It was much easier to break into professional baseball in the early days, as George discovered. He was 34 when he tried out for the team known as the Philadelphia Athletics in 1882. He may have responded to this newspaper ad that year, which was their first season in the newly formed American Association league. Baseball records show he was a pitcher, playing under the guidance of player/manager George “Jumbo” Latham.
It was good he didn’t quit his day job because he only pitched one game, the last of the season, on September 30 against the Baltimore Orioles. Philadelphia won the game 6-3. He only allowed four hits and two walks, but allowed three unearned runs and didn’t strike out a single batter. The Athletics ended the season in third place, the Orioles finished in last place, and George ended his brief athletic career.
One of the tragedies of life is when a parent witnesses the death of a child. George’s namesake son lost his life to scarlet fever before he turned five years old. But George’s long career in law nforcement had its rewards; perhaps none is greater than when a life is saved. That’s what George did in 1887, as documented here.
The Snyders spent their child-raising years on Parrish Street just south of Girard College. If Katie hadn’t died in 1903 she probably would have been glad to see George join a Policemen’s baseball league the following year. But it was during a hot summer game in 1905 that George overdid it and his heart gave out three weeks later.
George’s sons buried him with his wife by the bridge over Cobbs Creek in Section 21, but a marker has not been located.
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