By: History.com Editors

1913

Multi-sport star Jim Thorpe signs MLB contract with Giants

Published: December 09, 2021

Last Updated: January 30, 2025

On February 1, 1913, 25-year-old multi-sport star Jim Thorpe—who won two gold medals at the 1912 Olympics—signs a Major League Baseball contract with the New York Giants. The signing comes on the same day Thorpe returns his Olympic medals to Sweden for a violation of amateur rules. Years earlier, he was paid to play minor league baseball.

"The peerless athlete, chaperoned by Glenn Warner, his guide, philosopher and friend, arrived early in the morning from Carlisle [Pennsylvania], and on the same day that his prizes as amateur athlete were being returned to Sweden affixed his name to the document which will give him a fat stipend as a ball player," The New York Sun reported.

"Pop" Warner coached Thorpe at Carlisle Indian Industrial School.

Thorpe didn't seem upset that he was forced to return his Olympic medals, The Sun reported.

Added the newspaper: "For a greater part of the day the offices of the New York club were filled with fans, rooters, bugs and nuts. Thorpe was the reason."

Warner, a legendary football coach, said the popular Thorpe wasn't a "freak attraction" for the Giants.

"I haven't any doubt that he will develop into a first class ball player," he told The Sun. "He has the ability, mental and physical. He'd rather have played baseball at Carlisle than gone to the track team and was always at me to let him play ball, but he was too valuable on the track team and so played baseball only occasionally."

In addition to competing in track, football and baseball, Thorpe was adept at basketball, boxing, lacrosse, swimming, hockey, handball and tennis. He even won an intercollegiate ballroom dancing championship.

In his first MLB season, Thorpe—an outfielder and pinch-hitter—played only 19 games, batting .143. He played six seasons in the big leagues, finishing his career with the Boston Braves in 1919. Thorpe's career batting average was .252.

Timeline

Also on This Day in History

Discover more of the major events, famous births, notable deaths and everything else history-making that happened on February 1st

About the author

History.com Editors

HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Articles with the “HISTORY.com Editors” byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan, Matt Mullen and Christian Zapata.

Fact Check

We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.

Citation Information

Article title
Multi-sport star Jim Thorpe signs MLB contract with Giants
Website Name
History
Date Accessed
April 04, 2025
Publisher
A&E Television Networks
Last Updated
January 30, 2025
Original Published Date
December 09, 2021

History Every Day

Sign Up for "This Day in History"

Uncover fascinating moments from the past every day! Learn something new with key events in history, from the American Revolution to pop culture, crime and more.

By submitting your information, you agree to receive emails from HISTORY and A+E Global Media. You can opt out at any time. You must be 16 years or older and a resident of the United States.