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The World Series victory cemented George's status as a star. He was now not just a promising young player but a proven winner who had performed in the biggest moments. The Red Sox fans embraced him as a hero, and the baseball world began to take note of this remarkable young pitcher. His future seemed limitless. The Phenomenal 1916 Season The 1916 season was even more impressive than the previous year. George won 23 games against 12 losses and led the American League in earned run average (ERA) with a staggering 1.75. He also pitched the longest complete-game victory in World Series history, a fourteen-inning masterpiece that remains a record to this day. His dominance was complete, and he was establishing himself as one of the best pitchers in baseball. George's pitching approach in 1916 was refined and controlled. He had improved his control, walking fewer batters and throwing more strikes. He was also better at setting up hitters, using his fastball and curveball in combination to keep batters off balance. His dominance on the mound was almost complete; hitters seemed powerless against him. He had learned how to pitch, not just throw. The 1916 World Series against the Brooklyn Robins featured one of George's most memorable performances. In Game Two, he pitched a complete game victory that lasted fourteen innings. He held the Robins to one earned run while pitching the entire game, a feat of endurance that demonstrated both his physical conditioning and his mental toughness. He refused to give in, even when he was exhausted. George also contributed at the plate during the series, though his hitting was not quite as spectacular as in previous seasons. Still, his overall performance in the series was enough to confirm his status as one of the best players in the game. He was a complete player, capable of beating teams with his arm or his bat. The Shadow of the War and Uncertainty Ahead The 1916 season also saw the beginning of tensions that would eventually lead to George's departure from the Red Sox. The United States was preparing to enter World War I, and many players, including George, faced the possibility of being drafted into military service. The uncertainty of the situation cast a shadow over baseball, with players unsure whether they would be able to continue playing. The war was a constant concern. George's relationship with the Red Sox management began to deteriorate around this time. The team's owner, Harry Frazee, was known for his tightfisted approach to player contracts. George, who had established himself as one of the best players in baseball, felt that he deserved to be paid accordingly. Frazee disagreed, arguing that George's requests were excessive and unreasonable. The tension between player and owner was growing. George's personal life also became more complicated. His marriage to Helen, which had started well, was beginning to show signs of strain. George's demands for attention and his time away from home during the baseball season put stress on the relationship. Helen was increasingly isolated, living in a city where she had few friends, while George traveled with the team and enjoyed the adulation of fans. The marriage was struggling. Nevertheless, George's dominance continued unabated. The 1916 season had established him as one of the most valuable players in baseball, someone who could literally win games with his arm and his bat. But the seeds of his eventual departure from Boston had been planted. The tensions between George and the Red Sox management, combined with the changing circumstances in baseball, would ultimately lead to a historic decision. The future