“One of the greatest scouts of that time, of any time,” said Terry Reynolds, former scouting director for the Los Angeles Dodgers, in 2010. “The Master,” proclaimed celebrated baseball executive, Roland Hemon.

Named after George Washington, George Genovese (February 22, 1922 – November 15, 2015) was a Washington Senators baseball player who played for the team in 1950. He also played in the minor leagues for 15 seasons and managed at that level for over a decade. He was born in Staten Island, New York, United States to parents who both grew up in Campania, the region of southern Italy that includes Naples and Pompeii. They grew up about 40 miles apart but never knew each other until they met one day on a street car in New York City.

Genovese began his major league career on April 29, 1950 for the Washington Senators, and lasted for three games and one at-bat. He played considerably longer in the minor leagues, beginning his career in 1940 and ending it in 1957, at the age of 35. He did not play from 1943 to 1945, as he served in World War II in Okinawa. A shortstop in the minors, Genovese played in at least 1,387 games, collecting at least 1,162 hits (of which at least 241 were for extra bases). He also spent the final three seasons of his playing career with the Mexico City Tigers of the Mexican League. His brothers, Frank and Tony Genovese, also played in the minor leagues.

Genovese managed the Batavia Clippers (1952), St. Jean Canadians (1953), Hutchinson Elks (1954), Salinas Packers (1954), Tigres del México (1955–1958), Artesia Giants (1960) and El Paso Sun Kings (1961–1963). He led the Tigres to a league championship victory in 1955. In 1957 he led them to the league finals, which they lost. In 1962 and 1963 he led the Sun Kings to the Texas League playoffs, which they lost in the first round.

George is acknowledged as one of the best MLB talent scouts there has ever been. He was a scout for the San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Florida Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers. Covering Southern California for the Giants from 1964 through 1995, he played a major role in the signing of about 40 players who eventually made the major leagues, including Jim Barr, Bobby Bonds, Jack Clark, Chili Davis, Rob Deer, George Foster, Eric King, Dave Kingman, Garry Maddox, Gary Matthews, Randy Moffitt, Matt Nokes, and Matt Williams. He also signed future CBS Sportscaster Rich Perez in 86.

George's brother, Frank "Chick" Genovese, was also a successful scout, having signed Juan Marichal and the three Alou brothers; Matty, Felipe, and Jesús.

Major League Baseball (MLB) annually conducts the George Genovese Lifetime Achievement Awards. Genovese was inducted into the Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.

(excerpted from SABR, BR Bullpen, and Wikipedia)