The state of Maine has produced 71 men who have gone on to play major league baseball. One of the most interesting and colorful was none other than a farm boy from Heartland, George Gore. Mr.. Gore played 1,310 major league games between 1879 and 1892. For all of the men with at least 4,000 at bats,Gore is one of only 3 in the history of professional baseball to score more runs than games played (1327).
Mr. Gore grew up around the farmlands of central Maine playing baseball and working at the local paper mill. He was easily the most talented ball player of his time as he recreated with the mill nine. He eventually caught the eye of several scouts and signed his first professional contract with Fall River of the New England League in 1877. Nicknamed “Piano Legs” for the enormity of his calf muscles, Gore batted .324 the following year and helped propel the New Bedford Whalers to the New England championship. The word was out about the farm boy from Maine as scouts from several major league teams were now courting his attention. Gore was signed by Chicago's Cap Anson.
