This Date in Browns History! [Archive]

Bill_McCurdy

08-08-2004, 05:57 AM

August 8, 1996: Willard Brown Dies. Willard Brown died in Houston today at the age of 81. Brown made his debut with the Browns on 7/19/47 as the 2nd black to play for the St. Louis AL club. Hank Thompson was the first black to play in a Browns game. Thompson made his first Browns game appearance two days earlier on 7/17/47.

August 8, 1922: It Made a Big Difference At Season's End. Tom Zachary and the Senators beat the Browns Dixie Davis, 3–1, cutting the St. Louis lead in the AL to a game. It was just an ordinary loss, the kind that are bound to happen, sometimes, even to great teams like the '22 Browns. In the end, however, any of these "ordinary" losses to teams other than the Yankees were the difference between a tie for the pennant with New York and the 2nd place finish that actually resulted.
:grouchy

August 8, 1921: Shooting Star Stuart. In his first at bat, St. Louis Browns rookie Luke Stuart hits a home run, the first American League rookie to accomplish the feat. His 9th inning blast, good for two runs, comes off no less than Washington's Walter Johnson. Johnson, leading 16–3 at the time, cruises home with a 16–5 win. Stuart will play two more games and then leave the majors with this home run as his only hit. The next AL rookie to connect for a homer on his first at bat will be Earl Averill in 1929.

What a story! Luther Lane Stuart played little more than a month in the big leagues as a member of the '21 Browns, coming to bat only 3 times, but collecting his only major league hit in the form of a homer off the great Walter Johnson! - Makes you wonder how many times old Luke told that story in his lifetime. - Wonder too: How many people heard, but did not believe that Stuart was telling the truth? :atthepc

Reference for Today's Facts: http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/AUGUST8.stm

Reference for Material on Luke Stuart: http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=stuarlu01

Bill_McCurdy

08-09-2004, 05:56 AM

August 9, 1944: Streaking Brownies Roll On!. The Browns win their ninth straight game for the second time this season in a 3-2 win over the Yankees in New York. They lead by 6 1/2 games. St Louis's other team, the Cardinals, after winning 26 in July, now leads the NL by 16 1/2 games. :clapping

August 9, 1931: Browns Split Twin Bill with ChiSox. After the White Sox take the opener, 4–2, over the Browns, Dick Coffman pitches the Browns to a 1–0 win. Bob Wetland takes the loss for Chicago.

For more info on Dick Coffman, click here ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/C/Coffman_Dick.stm

August 9, 1922: Browns Derail "Big Train!" With the score even at six apiece, the Browns score two in the seventh off reliever Walter Johnson to beat the Senators, 8–6. The Browns finish an 11–5 home stand.

August 9, 1921: Browns Take Marathon from Sens, 8-6. The Browns go 19 innings with the Senators before topping Washington 8–6. Browns' star George Sisler is 6-for-9 in the game, while Brownie Dixie Davis pitches the distance allowing 13 hits. Nats star Joe Judge bangs an American League record-tying three triples in the game.

A George Sisler link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/S/Sisler_George.stm

A Dixie Davis link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/D/Davis_Dixie.stm

What a ballgame! Sisler bangs out 6 hits. Davis pitches a 19-inning complete game victory; and Washington's Joe Judge collects a record-tying three triples. Can you imagine any contemporary pitcher taking his 7.8 million dollar arm down the road of a 19-inning game today? Back in the old days, they didn't count their pitches or their money. They just played ball. :atthepc

Reference on Today's Facts: http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

Bill_McCurdy

08-10-2004, 04:58 AM

August 10, 1945: Browns Ownership Changes. Richard Muckerman buys out Don Barnes' interest in the St. Louis Browns and now controls 50 percent of the club.

August 10, 1915: Ruth Hits & Pitches Boston By Browns. Babe Ruth is 2-for-4 while pitching the Red Sox to 10–3 win over the Browns in the 2nd game of a twin bill. Ruth strikes out seven in winning his 10th.

We'll try to bring you some good news *as often as possible*. Therein lies the frequency problem. :atthepc

Today's Reference Link: http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/AUGUST10.stm

Bill_McCurdy

08-11-2004, 05:27 AM

August 11, 1950: The Brown with a Golden Arm. RF Ken Wood of the Browns nails two Tiger runners in the eighth inning of the second game of a doubleheader, tying a major-league mark for most assists by an outfielder in a single inning. The Browns prevail 2–1 in the night cap, after the Tigers take game one, 4–3, in 10 innings. The split with the Browns keeps the Tigers three games ahead of Cleveland and three 1/2 ahead of New York.

Today's fact reference link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

Several of Ken Wood's teammates have remarked to me over the years about his terrific arm. According to one Brownie source, Ted Williams supposedly said that Wood had the best right field arm in the American League. This day in 1950 may have helped the Detroit Tigers spread the word of caution about trying to run on Ken Wood. :atthepc

prof93

08-11-2004, 09:55 AM

August 11 1947 In St. Louis the Browns' Willard "Home Run" Brown lives up to nickname when he hits a an inside-the-park round-tripper against Hal Newhouser. Brown who is pinch-hitting for catcher Joe Schultz in the second game of a doubleheader, is the first black to homer in the AL. The Tigers however win the game, 3-1

Bill_McCurdy

08-12-2004, 05:05 AM

August 12, 1947: Browns Break Newhouser Spell. After losing the first game of a DH to Detroit, 7–1, the Browns take the nitecap 6–5, beating Hal Newhouser in relief. For Newhouser, it is his first loss to the Browns after 15 consecutive wins.

Today's Reference Link: http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/AUGUST12.stm

PS: Thanks for the Aug. 11th entry on Willard Brown, prof93, and keep 'em coming. I got to see Willard play a few years later when he joined the Houston Buffs of the Texas League during the early 50's. By this time, Brown was no longer a candidate for another inside-the-park home run, having put on a lot of weight, but he was still quite popular with the fans during the final days of his career.

By the way, Brown's historic home run of 8/11/47 was the only homer of his brief major league career. Brown hit .179 in 67 times at bat as a '47 Brown and never made it back to the big leagues after that year. He died in Houston on August 8, 1996. Thanks to prof93, we can now go back and add Willard Brown's passing to that date in Browns history. :atthepc

For more info on Willard Brown's MLB stats, ... http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/brownwi02.shtml

prof93

08-12-2004, 09:08 AM

August 12,1948- In game 2 of a double header, the Indians rap out 26 hits to beat the Browns 26-3; 14 Indians' players hit safely in the game, a Major League record.

Bill_McCurdy

08-12-2004, 11:56 PM

August 13, 1947: A Discrepancy To Be Resolved. Prof93, Baseball Library contains this entry that Willard Brown hit his landmark home run on August 13th, rather than the August 11th date you reported two days ago. Here's their entry and reference link:

"Willard Brown of the Browns is the first black player to homer in the American League when he hits a pinch inside-the-park blow in a 6–5 win over the Tigers. Hal Newhouser is the Detroit pitcher."

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/AUGUST13.stm

Whichever date is correct is OK, but let's see if we can resolve which date is accurate. Willard Brown's feat put him in the record books in a way that ought to be remembered. Now that we have the date issue to resolve, the chances are higher that we will recall it easier in the future. :atthepc

August 13, 1921: A Sterling Sisler Day! (Also from Baseball Library.) George Sisler continues his hot hitting, collecting two doubles and hitting for the cycle in a 10-inning 7–5 win at Detroit. Sisler is 5-for-5.

Friday, August 13, 2004: Bad Luck. The St. Louis Browns are no more. :(

FlashinTheLeatherIHSS

08-13-2004, 11:32 AM

[B]Friday, August 13, 2004: Bad Luck. The St. Louis Browns are no more. :(

2004? They were around in 2003?

Bill_McCurdy

08-13-2004, 06:20 PM

:laugh

Flash, my reaction was either helped along by the fact that this year the date makes it Friday the 13th, or else, I'm suffering one of the longest cases of delayed grief on record. - Denial is a powerful primary defense against reality. :hp

westsidegrounds

08-13-2004, 07:09 PM

For his impressive hitting performances there, Brown was known as "el Hombre" among fans in Puerto Rico.

Bill_McCurdy

08-14-2004, 05:40 AM

August 14, 1952: Garver Gone. On a sad day for most Browns fans, and especially us kids who had become Browns fans because of him, Ned Garver was traded away today. The Browns sent Garver, along with Bud Black, Jim Delsing, and Dave Madison to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Dick Littlefield, Marlin Stuart, Don Lenhardt, and Vic Wertz.

reference: http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/garvene01.shtml#TRANS

August 14, 1948: Vico Victimizes Browns. Rookie George Vico drives in seven runs to pace the Tigers to a 10–3 win over the Browns. Vico is one better than a cycle, collecting two doubles, a triple and homer to back Virgil Trucks' sparkling one-hit relief effort over 6+ innings.

August 14, 1937: Auker Axes Browns. Tigers pitcher Eldon Auker hits two HRs while beating the Browns. Detroit wins 16-1 and 20-7, scoring an American League record 36 runs in the doubleheader. The DH sweep allows the Tigers to move into 2nd place, 10 games behind the Yankees.

August 14, 1921: Sisler Sizzles! Browns Win! The Browns open a home stand with a 7–5 win over Detroit. (In these historical note sites, it seems as though the Browns are always playing or trading with the Detroit Tigers.) In this game with the Motor City Bengals, the great George Sisler continues his hot hitting, going 4-for-4 to pace the Browns to victory. :atthepc

Fact Reference Site: http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/AUGUST14.stm

westsidegrounds

08-14-2004, 04:37 PM

[B]] Tigers pitcher Eldon Auker hits two HRs while beating the Browns.

(In these historical note sites, it seems as though the Browns are always playing or trading with the Detroit Tigers.)

[/url]

Speaking of which, Auker ended up with the Browns (although via the Bosox). Did a good job for them, too.

Bill_McCurdy

08-15-2004, 05:39 AM

August 15, 1951: Ned's Nadir. Al Rosen belts a first inning grand slam to jump start the Indians to a 9–4 win over the Browns, their 13th in a row. For Rosen, it is his 4th slam of the year, just the 9th player to accomplish the feat. Ned Garver gives up seven runs in the first inning in losing to Early Wynn.

In the same year that Ned Garver won 20 games for the 102-loss, last place Browns, he had this game to get out of his system. I guess you could say that on this date in history, Garver took an early loss in opposition to Early Wynn. :(

August 15, 1921: Another Sisler Streak Ends. A major-league record streak of 10 straight hits by the Browns' George Sisler is stopped by Detroit in the 4th inning, but he goes 2-for-3 with a 2-run homer in the 6th. The Browns win, 3–2.

August 15, 1915: Sisler Hurls Complete Game. George Sisler of the St. Louis Browns pitches a complete game against the Cleveland Indians, losing 1–0 to Guy Morton.

August 15, 1905: Waddell Shuts Out Browns. The A's Rube Waddell is the whole show today as he hurls a 5-inning no hitter over the Browns. The A's are ahead 2–0, when the rain starts pouring after the A's bat in the 5th. Waddell strikes out nine batters, and three more bounce out to Waddell. The one runner reaches on Rube's error.

Future Hall of Famer Rube Waddell will later finish his big league career as a member of the Browns during the 1908-1910 seasons. Check out his career stats. Can you imagine anyone other than a guy like Sandy Koufax being elected to the Hall of Fame today with only 193 career wins? :atthepc

Waddell Link: http://www.baseball-reference.com/w/wadderu01.shtml

Today's General Reference Link: http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

Bill_McCurdy

08-16-2004, 06:17 AM

August 16, 1922: Big Train Derailed Again. The St. Louis Browns beat Walter Johnson and the Washington Senators again, 11–2. Brownie star George Sisler is 1-for-5 with a run scored.

August 16, 1919: A Positive Brownie Record? Chances Are. The Browns set an AL record with 53 total chances against the A's, but lose 7-4. The Browns have 26 assists and St. Louis 1B George Sisler has 17 putouts. With no putouts, the St. Louis outfielders have the day off.

August 16, 1912: David vs. Goliath? David Has A Shot. Behind Earl Hamilton's seven hitter, the lowly Browns beat the front running Red Sox, 3–2. Tom "Buck" O'Brien takes the loss, but he will go on to a 20-13 record for the 1912 Red Sox in the only great full year he will enjoy as a member of the the Red Sox. O'Brien will be dealt to the White Sox in 1913 and he will be out of big league baseball for good at that season's end. Even with the loss to the Browns on this date, Boston remains in first place in the American League, 8 1/2 games ahead of the Philadelphia Athletics.

August 16, 1907: Big Spenders? Who Else? The Browns. The Washington Post reports that St. Louis Browns shorstop Bobby Wallace is the highest paid player in either league at a salary of $6,500. (Of course, we're kidding about the Browns being *big spenders*. Maybe, the stratospheric salary that the club paid Wallace back in 1907 was the turning point on the more frugal times that lay ahead.) :atthepc

Today's Reference Link: http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

Bill_McCurdy

08-17-2004, 06:35 AM

August 17, 1948: Bearden Blanks Browns. Cleveland Indians' rookie Gene Bearden shuts out the St. Louis Browns, 8–0, to improve his record to 12–3.

August 17, 1933: Gehrig Breaks CGP Record Against Browns. Lou Gehrig plays his 1,308th consecutive game to break Everett Scott's mark, as the St. Louis Browns edge the New York Yankees, 7-6, in 10 innings.

Today's Reference Link: http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

Bill_McCurdy

08-18-2004, 05:39 AM

August 18, 1965: Ignominious Sisler Record Finally Tied. In a 3–2 Baltimore Orioles win over the Boston Red Sox, Brooks Robinson hits into his 3rd triple play, tying the record of George Sisler, who banged into triple plays in 1921, 1922, and 1926.

August 18, 1943: Clary Becomes a Brown. The Washington Senators send infielder Ellis Clary, pitcher Ox Miller and cash to the St. Louis Browns for pitcher Johnny Niggeling and popular third baseman Harlond Clift. Niggeling will split 48 decisions as a Senator, while Miller will win just three in St. Louis.

August 18, 1915: Browns Acquire Baby Doll. The St. Louis Browns send pitchers Bill James and Grover Lowdermilk to the Detroit Tigers for the future center fielder of the great '22 Browns, Babe Doll Jacobson.

Today's Reference Links: http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

Baby Doll Notes: At Mobile (Southern League) in 1912, the grandstand band played "Oh, You Beautiful Doll" after Jacobson's Opening Day homer, and the next day's paper captioned his photo, "Baby Doll." After a decade in the minors, he spent 1917 in the majors, served a year in the military, and returned as a Browns' regular at 28. The best of Jacobson's ML career was contained in seven straight years over .300 (1919-25), five of them with Ken Williams and Jack Tobin flanking him in the Browns' best-remembered outfield. A burly righthander who swung a light bat, he hit well for average, if not for power. For all his heft (at 6'3" and 215-lb, he was the league's biggest man), he was also a capable fielder. At one time he held 13 fielding marks; his 484 putouts in 1924 stood as a record for 24 years. In 1927 he played seven consecutive games for the Red Sox without a putout or assist. (ADS) :atthepc

Jacobson Reference Link: http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/J/Jacobson_Baby_Doll.stm

Bill_McCurdy

08-19-2004, 06:21 AM

August 19, 1951: Eddie Gaedel's Big Day! It curiously turns out to be the most remembered day in the history of the St. Louis Browns. In his most interesting promotional stunt, Bill Veeck signs a 3'7" midget, Eddie Gaedel, who goes to bat as a pinch hitter for outfielder Frank Saucier. Gaedel is wearing the number *1/8* when he is called upon to bat in the first inning of the nightcap with the Tigers at Sportsman's Park. Lefty Bob Cain laughingly walks him on four pitches. Jim Delsing then pinch runs, but the Tigers win, 6–2. Two days later, MLB bars Eddie Gaedel from appearing in any more games.

Is there any other sport that formally bans participants for being *vertically challenged*? Makes you wonder how the banning of Gaedel would hold up today in this far more litigious culture of 2004. :atthepc

A Few Gaedel Reference Links:

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/G/Gaedel_Eddie.stm

http://sports.espn.go.com/page2/tvlistings/show73transcript.html

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/boxscore/08191951.shtml

http://www.baseballreliquary.org/Gaedel.htm

August 19, 1922: Browns Split DH with A's; Yanks Regain Lead. In Philadelphia, the Browns and A's split a pair, with St. Louis taking the opener, 9–5. Urban Shocker is backed by Ken Williams 31st HR. He hits his 32nd in the nitecap, but the A's win, 6–5, when Bing Miller bangs a 2-run HR in the eighth off Rasty Wright. The split allows the Yankees, winner over Chicago, to move back into first place.

General Reference Link on Today's Facts: http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

Bill_McCurdy

08-20-2004, 06:16 AM

August 20, 1948: 1 Former & 2 Future Browns Heat It Up for Indians. Many Browns players have had their best years, or biggest moments, either before or after their time on the St. Louis club roster. Here's a small example: Before the largest crowd (78,382) ever to attend a night game, fans pack Municipal Stadium in Cleveland and watch Satchel Paige become the fourth consecutive Indian pitcher to throw a shutout. The Ageless Wonder joins Gene Bearden, Sam Zoldak and Bob Lemon in blanking the opposition four straight times.

The Cleveland Indians, of course, went on to win the 1948 World Series. Of the four pitchers who tossed those consecutive shutouts, only Bob Lemon escaped an earlier or later tour of duty with the St. Louis Browns.

6/15/48: Sam Zoldak is acquired by the Cleveland Indians from the Browns in exchange for Bill Kennedy and $100,000.

1951: 45 year old (at least) Satchel Paige signs as a free agent to pitch for the Browns after being out of baseball in 1950.

2/14/52: Gene Bearden (now with Detroit) is traded by the Tigers to the Browns, along with pitcher Bob Cain and 1st baseman Dick Kryhoski in exchange for Dick Littlefield, Cliff Mapes, and Ben Taylor.

With the rare exception of guys like Ned Garver, it seems that former Browns pitchers who played with multiple teams always had their best years and/or biggest moments elsewhere from St. Louis. Read some about Urban Shocker, Bob Turley, and Don Larson for further enlightenment. :atthepc

August 20, 1922: A's Pin Browns' Hopes for 1st Place Tie. The Philadelphia Athletics jump to a 5–0 lead over the St. Louis Browns, and hold on for a 7–6 win. As a result, the idle New York Yankees watch their AL lead expand to a full game.

Reference Link: http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/AUGUST20.stm

Bill_McCurdy

08-21-2004, 07:10 AM

August 21, 1921: Browns Sweep DH From Yankees. At Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, the largest crowd of the season has plenty to cheer about. The Browns reward the faithful by sweeping a pair from the New York Yankees, winning 5–4 and 10–0. Browns pitcher Bill Bayne, who will finish the season with an 11-5 record, strikes out seven of the 1st nine Yanks in Game Two on his way to a 10 K run.

August 21, 1915: Ruth Beats Browns. Babe Ruth pitches his Boston Red Sox to a 4–1 win over the St. Louis Browns. At bat, the Babe is hitless.

Today's Reference Link: http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/AUGUST21.stm

Bill_McCurdy

08-22-2004, 06:38 AM

August 22, 1951: "Wild Thing, You Make Our Hearts Sting!" Tommy Byrne of the Browns keeps walking them and the Red Sox keep stranding them as St. Louis and Boston battle for 13 innings before the Sox win, 3–1. Brownie Byrne walks 16 Sox batters, tying the American League walk record set by Bruno Haas in 1915 (Haas walked 16 in a loss to the Yanks, his only ML decision), and Boston strands 22 runners: the AL record for stranded runners is 24, set by the Indians in 18 innings on July 10, 1932. Byrne breaks his personal record of 13 walks in a game he set in 1949. The Brownies don't help him much, stranding 14.

August 22, 1922: Basepath Larceny. At Boston, the Browns beat the Red Sox behind reliever Elam Vangilder, who takes over for Rasty Wright in the fourth inning with two on and a 4–1 lead. Ken Williams and George Sisler each have two stolen bases.

Bill_McCurdy

08-23-2004, 05:58 AM

August 23, 1936: Browns Lose To Kid Pitcher. Seventeen-year-old Bob Feller makes his first start in the big leagues and strikes out 15, one less than the AL record, as the Cleveland Indians beat the St. Louis Browns, 4-1.

August 23, 1931: "Anger Management? What The Hell Is That?" - Lefty Grove. Lefty Grove is frustrated in his effort to win a record-breaking 17th game in a row, as A's left fielder Jimmy Moore misjudges a routine fly ball by Ski Melillo of the Browns, turning it into a 2-out double, to allow the game's lone run. The volatile Grove is outraged and unforgiving, not at Moore, but that Al Simmons, the regular OF, missed the game. Dick Coffman of the Browns allows just three hits to win, 1–0. The A's avoid a Browns sweep by winning the nightcap, 10–0, behind Waite Hoyt's 6-hitter.

an Oscar "Ski" Melillo link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/M/Melillo_Oscar.stm

a Dick Coffman link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/C/Coffman_Dick.stm

August 23, 1903: Big Crowd Sees Double Brownie Loss. Before 21,400 in St. Louis the Boston Pilgrims sweep the St. Louis Browns, 5-3 and 4-2. To add insult to injury, Boston executes a triple play in the nitecap. Hughes and Young are the winners for 1st place Boston.

The fan turnout is impressive. After all, it's late August and the two-year old Browns are on their way to a 65-74 record and a 6th place finish in the American League. The fall in 1903 from their impressive 2nd place finish in 1902 fails to deter the optimism of St. Louis fans about the future of the Browns. "Write this down," shouts one fan on his way for a beer after the double loss, "it'll get better!"

OK. - :atthepc - It'll get better.

Today's Reference Link: http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

Bill_McCurdy

08-24-2004, 06:05 AM

August 24, 1951: The Famous Fans Management Night. In another of Bill Veeck's legendary marketing stunts, "Fans Managers' Night," the St. Louis Browns defeat the Philadelphia Athletics, 5–3. The Browns coaches hold up placards for 1,115 fans, who vote either "yes" or "no" on the options given to them. Manager Zack Taylor sits in a box behind the dugout with two fans who monitor the voting. Adding to the festivities is Max Patkin, the clown prince of baseball, who coaches at 1st base for several innings. The fans vote to start Sherm Lollar behind the plate as catcher instead of Matt Batts, Lollar rewards fan adroitness by banging out three hits, including a homer, and Hank Arft, also voted in, knocks home two runs. Gus Zernial's 28th home run, off Garver, accounts for all the A's runs. When the stunt was announced on August 15th, A's General Manager Art Ehlers bitterly denounced it as "farcical."

Yeah, it was farcical, Art, but everybody at Sportsman's Park had a good time and there was no real sacrifice of the game's integrity. You have to give Bill Veeck credit for understanding the only important rule of showmanship: If people don't like your act, they won't come back to see you. :atthepc

a Bill Veeck link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/V/Veeck_Bill.stm

a Zach Taylor link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/T/Taylor_Zack.stm

a Max Patkin link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/P/Patkin_Max.stm

a Sherm Lollar link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/L/Lollar_Sherm.stm

a Matt Batts link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/B/Batts_Matt.stm

a Hank Arft link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/A/Arft_Hank.stm

August 24, 1922: A 20-Hit Browns Attack. The St. Louis Browns collect 20 hits and score nine runs in the first two innings on their way to a stunning victory over the Boston Red Sox, 13–2. Ken Williams extends his hitting streak to 28 games, but he will be stopped in his next game from going further.

August 24, 1915: How do the Browns spell relief? Today they spelled it "S-I-S-L-E-R." The St. Louis Browns bring George Sisler in to pitch five innings of relief in a game against Philadelphia. Sisler gives up one run and earns the win, a 10–7 victory over the A's Rube Bressler.

a George Sisler link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/S/Sisler_George.stm

August 24, 1904: 100 Years Ago Today! The New York Highlanders' Willie Keeler collects two home runs against the St. Louis Browns in a 9–1 win at New York. Both drives are inside the park. Speedy batters, big ballparks, slow outfielders, and/or bad fielding will do it to you almost every time.

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

Bill_McCurdy

08-25-2004, 06:37 AM

August 25, 2004: Former Brown Hal Epps Died Today at Age 90. Hal Epps died in Houston today at the age of 90. Signed originally by the St. Louis Cardinals, Epps only saw part-time duty with the 1943-44 St. Louis Browns, but he later became a fixture in center field and a legendary big game hero for the 1947 Texas League and Dixie Series Champion Houston Buffs. I felt that some of you might want to know of his passing.

Mickey Herskowitz wrote a nice colum on Epps today in the Houston Chronicle. Here's the link. ...

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/herskowitz/2762528

Here's a link to the major league stats of Hal Epps. There's not much to talk about there, but I will tell you from my own experience of watching him play for the Houston Buffs. The guy could go get 'em. He had that Pete Reiser tendency of crashing into fences to make catches. He also was the best clutch hitter on the '47 Buffs club.

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=eppsha01

With the death of Hal Epps, only 82 year old Solly Hemus remains as a living member of the '47 Buffs. I will be going to the funeral on Monday and I plan to take flowers in behalf of the St. Louis Browns Fan Club.

August 25, 1945: Stolen Moment. Joe Hoover of the Detroit Tigers will swipe only 19 bases in his career, but the most valuable one comes today. On the front end of a 3rd inning double steal, Hoover steals home against the St. Louis Browns for the game's only run.

August 25, 1940: Mercy Ending. In the 2nd game of a twinbill, the Boston Red Sox explode for 11 runs in the 6th inning. Jimmie Foxx hits his 3rd grand slam of the year in the inning, connecting off the Emil Bildilli of the St. Louis Browns. The game is called after seven innings, with the Red Sox ahead of the Browns by the runaway tab of 17–3.

August 25, 1938: McQuinn Streak Ends. The consecutive game hitting streak of the St. Louis Browns' George McQuinn is stopped at 34. McQuinn is halted seven games short of George Sisler's American League record of 41.

a George McQuinn Reference Link: http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/M/McQuinn_George.stm

August 25, 1930: Browns Fail To Capitalize. Tommy Bridges of the Detroit Tigers walks 12 St. Louis Browns, but Detroit still beats St. Louis, 7–5. Ancient Truth: Baserunners don't count unless somebody on your club finds a way to drive them across the plate.

August 25, 1929: Browns Stupify Yankees. After three straight shutouts by St. Louis Browns hurlers (Gray, Blaeholder, and Crowder) the New York Yankees break their 32-inning scoreless streak with a 4th-inning homer by Babe Ruth. St. Louis still wins, 3–2. After this incredible series, do you suppose they were crying in New York, "Break Up The Browns?"

August 25, 1924: Big Train No-No's Browns. Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators hurls a seven-inning rain-shortened no-hitter against the St. Louis Browns, winning by a score of 2-0.

August 25, 1922: Browns Split DH with NY at Polo Grounds. In the first game of a doubleheader before a sold-out Polo Grounds, the St. Louis Browns beat the New York Yankees, 3–1, behind Urban Shocker. Waite Hoyt is the loser for New York, but he does stop Ken Williams's hitting streak at 28 consecutive games. Meanwhile, George Sisler hits in his 24th straight game. In game two, the Yankee jump to a 2–0 lead on Ruth's 2-run triple, then extend it to 6–1 behind Joe Bush. The Browns close to 6–5, but that is it. The Yankees salvage a split. The Browns end up losing the '22 AL pennant to the Yankees by a single game. Now, had the Browns swept today's DH, ...

An Urban Shocker Reference Link: http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/S/Shocker_Urban.stm

August 25, 1914: A More Typical Day At The Office. The Philadelphia Athletics score nine runs to back Rube Bressler's shut out of the St. Louis Browns in the first of two games. Teammate Herb Pennock then follows with a 1–0 shut out of the Browns.

August 25, 1911: Smokey Joe! Boston Red Sox lefty Smoky Joe Wood tops the St. Louis Browns, 3–2, for his 20th win.

August 25, 1910: Browns Overcome Cycle Slugger. At St. Louis, the Athletics' Danny Murphy hits for the cycle, but it is not enough to make a difference as Philadelphia loses to the Browns, 9–6.

Bill_McCurdy

08-26-2004, 05:14 AM

August 26, 1960: Up, Up, and Away. Browns fan Bill McCurdy actually graduates from college. His matriculation sets a new world record. McCurdy is the first Browns fan from Houston to obtain a legitimate degree from the University of Houston. He also is the only student to yell, "Go Browns!", at the moment the graduating class switches the tassels of their mortar boards from one side to the other. Afterwards, the event is quietly celebrated with family at Valian's, a popular pizza restaurant of that ancient time and place.

a McCurdy Graduation Reference: See Guinness Book, Etc. :lookitup

For time better spent, check out my webshots *mainly baseball* photo gallery at ...

http://community.webshots.com/user/houston_buff

With more than 106,000 visitors, so far, there are a lot of interesting Browns photos included and a nice album on the Cardinals called "Cardinal Nation:2004" on Page 4. You also will find the largest internet collection of Houston baseball and Minute Maid Park photos there. At the photo site, you also will see me mainly identified by my Houston internet username, Buff. The reference is definitely not to my physical condition, but to my lifelong affection for the old Houston Buffs, a AA Cardinal Texas League farm club during the days of my youth. :atthepc

August 26, 1922: Slip, Sliding Away. The New York Yankees take over first place by battering the St. Louis Browns, 9–2, behind Carl Mays. Rasty Wright is the loser for the Browns.

a Rasty Wright Link: http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/W/Wright_Rasty.sm

Today's General Reference Link: http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

Bill_McCurdy

08-27-2004, 08:21 AM

August 27, 1922: Umpire's Call Helps Sink Browns. The New York Yankees increase their lead by beating the Browns, 2–1, in 11 innings on Bob Meusel's sacrifice fly. Hank Severeid's home run is the only run scored for the St. Louis Browns. An apparent two-run double off the left field wall by Eddie Foster of the Browns in the 10th is ruled foul by Umpire Moriarty. The Yanks take the series from the Browns, 3 games to 1.

I'd really like to research this game for more information. The negative outcome frames it as another of those one-game difference makers in the season of the champions that almost were: The 1922 St. Louis Browns. :atthepc

a Hank Severeid reference link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/S/Severeid_Hank.stm

an Eddie Foster reference link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/F/Foster_Eddie.stm

Bill_McCurdy

08-28-2004, 07:05 AM

August 28, 1951: Yanks Edge Browns. The New York Yankees took a 7–5 win in ten innings over the St. Louis Browns at Sportsman's Park today. The New York win allowed the 2nd place Yankees to remain a game back of the front-running Cleveland Indians.

August 28, 1903: Baseball Sometimes Funny As A Train Wreck. Cleveland Naps and St. Louis Browns players escape serious injury when their train derails near Napoleon, Ohio. Although it is not understood clearly in these early innocent days of the franchise, the incident serves as a metaphor for much that lays ahead for future members of almost all Browns ball clubs. If you are able to walk away alive when the season is done, consider yourself lucky. :atthepc

Bill_McCurdy

08-29-2004, 06:58 AM

August 29, 1951: "Lowly Browns?" Must They Always Use That Phrase? The Yankees pick on the lowly Browns for a 15–2 win at Sportsman's Park. Mickey Mantle has four RBIs including a three run homer in the 9th off Satchel Paige. Ned Garver (15-9) is the loser.

That's OK. Garver will go 5 and 3 from today, including a win on the last day of the season that will give him a 20-12 record for a last place Browns club that finishes with 52 wins and 102 losses. Mr. Garver is no lowly Brown in '51, and neither is old Satchel. - Paige is still out there hurling heat at an age when many of us are throwing our backs out picking up the morning paper in the front yard.

a Satchel Paige link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/P/Paige_Satchel.stm

a Ned Garver link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/G/Garver_Ned.stm

August 29, 1947: Hutch Stages "Unkind to Kinder" Day. In St. Louis, Freddie Hutchinson does it all for the Detroit Tigers. He whips the St. Louis Browns, 5–4, on the mound, but he doesn't stop there. After tripling against Ellis Kinder in the 3rd, Hutch takes advantage of the pitcher's big windup to swipe home. He also adds a single.

an Ellis Kinder link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/K/Kinder_Ellis.stm

August 29, 1927: The Bad News Browns. In St. Louis, the New York Yankees win their 18th game against the St. Louis Browns without a loss, 8-3. What was the name of that movie from years ago? Oh yeah. It was a film called "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" :atthepc

August 29, 1916: Dog Day Afternoon. The St. Louis Browns top the Boston Red Sox, 5–3, with Babe Ruth pitching five innings of relief before leaving with the sacks full. Ruth also fans with the bases loaded.

August 29, 1915: "More Powerful Than a Locomotive." George Sisler again pitches against Walter "Big Train" Johnson of the Washington Senators and this time wins, 2–1. Sisler will be 4–4 for the Browns in 1915 and 1–2 in 1916 before moving permanently to first base. Sisler is helped in the 8th inning today when Brownie second baseman Del Pratt fools pinch runner Horace Milan, in his big league debut, with the old (even then) hidden ball trick. Horace is the brother of teammate Clyde "Deerfoot" Milan.

a Del Pratt link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/P/Pratt_Del.stm

General Reference Link for Today's Facts ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

Bill_McCurdy

08-30-2004, 02:57 AM

August 30, 1954: BoSox Match Futility of '27 Browns. Less than a year from the date they breathed their last, the late St. Louis Browns lose sole possession of an ignoble record in team submission today. The '54 Cleveland Indians complete an 11-home-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox, the first such sweep since the New York Yankees blanked the St. Louis Browns at Yankee Stadium back in 1927.

August 30, 1916: Browns Held Hitless. Following his previous start, when he lasted one-third of an inning against St. Louis, Hubert "Dutch" Leonard of the Red Sox no-hits the Browns 4–0. No batters reach base until catcher Hank Severeid walks with two outs in the 8th. The win stops first-place Boston's losing streak of four games.

a Hank Severeid Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/S/Severeid_Hank.stm

August 30, 1912: Browns Win a No-No. Lefty Earl Hamilton, 22, pitches a no-hitter in the St. Louis Browns' 5–1 win over the Detroit Tigers. Leave it to The Georgia Peach to find a way rain on a perfect day. With some inept fielding help from the Browns, Ty Cobb scores on an error after a walk to spoil the shutout.

A Curious Reference Note: Baseball Library.Com reports Hamilton's game in this way: August 30, 1912: Lefty Earl Hamilton, 22, pitches his only shutout of the year, a no-hitter in the Browns' 5–1 win over Detroit. Ty Cobb scores on an error after a walk. Look, there's no way Hamilton gets credit for "his only shutout of the year" when the final score is 5-1. Maybe they meant to say he pitched the only game of the year in which he did not give up an earned run.

Hey, Baseball Library.Com! - Go look up the definition of "shutout." :lookitup

What we wouldn't all give for immediate and no-cost internet access to every game report and box score in baseball history. - The other side of not having that access is that now, at least, we still have time for other things. A fellow could get lost in such a cornucopia of free and easy baseball data. :atthepc

Today's Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

An Earl Hamilton link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/H/Hamilton_Earl.stm

Bill_McCurdy

08-31-2004, 04:57 AM

August 31, 1946: A Changing of The Guard. Luke Sewell quits as manager of the St. Louis Browns. Zack Taylor will finish the '46 season as the club's interim field leader.

a Luke Sewell link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/S/Sewell_Luke.stm

a Zach Taylor link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/T/Taylor_Zack.stm

August 31, 1916: Browns Best Ruth. The St. Louis Browns beat the Boston Red Sox and Babe Ruth today, 2–1. Ruth collects two hits and scores the lone run for Boston, but he also pops out to end the game.

Bill_McCurdy

09-01-2004, 06:12 AM

September 1, 1930: Ferrell Streaks By Browns. Wes Ferrell of the Cleveland Indians defeats the St. Louis Browns, 9-5, for his 13th straight pitching victory. (reference: notation from "On This Date" in today's Houston Chronicle.)

September 1, 1920: Browns Foil Faber, Soil White Sox. With the Chicago White Sox playing this late season game with a makeshift lineup, the Windy City boys take an early 3–0 lead over the St. Louis Browns. The Browns quickly rally, however, knocking out Red Faber in the 3rd inning and going on to win the contest, 8–6. As a result, the Cleveland Indians take a 2-game lead over the defending AL champion White Sox.

September 1, 1918: "Don't You Know There's A War On?" - Cleveland. The St. Louis Browns and Detroit Tigers finish the war-abbreviated 1918 season with a doubleheader split in St. Louis after the Cleveland Indians refuse to make the trip for the Labor Day doubleheader. Detroit wins the opener, 7-2. In the second game, things really get recreational for the two "let's get it over with" clubs. Ty Cobb pitches two innings against the Browns while the George Sisler pitches one scoreless inning for the Browns. The Browns win, 6–2, as Sisler hits a double off of Cobb in this downhill run to the off-season.

No information is given about the reasons behind the Cleveland refusal to make their final trip to St. Louis. I am presuming it had to do with World War I, the war-shortened season, the fact it was a meaningless game, and the probability that the scheduled doubleheader with the Browns was a money losing prospect. I'm also presuming that the Detroit Tigers were already in St. Louis and had no place else to go.

All that being said, this incident raises numerous questions: Were the Indians penalized in any way for their refusal to play out the schedule? Beyond the fact it was a pay-day, how did the American League justify the makeup DH between the Browns and Tigers?

These two games apparently counted in the standings and statistics for the Browns and Tigers, leaving us to consider a slight taint upon the sacred book of book records. Next time you consider the incredible batting average of the great George Sisler, you will have to keep in mind too that he got at least one of his career hits off a pitcher named Ty Cobb. :atthepc

Today's Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

Bill_McCurdy

09-02-2004, 05:23 AM

September 2, 1951: Tribe Does Back-To-Back-To-Back Job on Browns. The Cleveland Indians' Harry Simpson, Al Rosen and Luke Easter crush consecutive home runs in the first inning, as the Cleveland Indians go on to beat the St. Louis Browns, 5–1.

September 2, 1935: Love That Rajah. Veteran pitcher Dick Coffman (5-11) and Browns manager Rogers Hornsby get into a shoving match shortly after their train leaves St. Louis for a road trip. Coffman is cut from the team on the spot and put off the train at Edwardsville, Illinois. He will not play again this year. As a result of this (ahem!) management-labor dispute, the New York Giants will purchase veteran Coffman from the Browns a couple of months later. Coffman, who definitely was on the outs with Browns manager Rogers Hornsby after his fight on the train, will go 24–14 over the next four years for New York.

... a Dick Coffman link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/C/Coffman_Dick.stm

September 2, 1922: Sisler Streak Goes On. At Detroit, the St. Louis Browns win their second game in a row over the Tigers, 5–4. Hub Pruett allows three hits in four innings to win in relief. George Sisler hits in his 30th consecutive game.

... a Hub Pruett link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/P/Pruett_Hub.stm

Bill_McCurdy

09-03-2004, 06:41 AM

September 3, 2004: Littlefield Has Little Luck. Dick Littlefield of the St. Louis Browns two-hits the Chicago White Sox, but he learns on the rockpile of franchise luck that even a pitcher with an ERA of 1.00 can't win a game, if his own team doesn't score. Final Today: White Sox 1 - Browns 0. :gt

... a Dick Littlefield link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/L/Littlefield_Dick.stm

September 3, 1944: Browns Fight Slump Behind Kramer. After losing 13 of 17 games and dropping from first place, the St. Louis Browns turn back their principal rival, the Detroit Tigers, behind Jack Kramer. Two days later, neither St. Louis nor Detroit is at the American League top. In a move that appears to be just another page from the same old story, the New York Yankees come from out of the blue to capture first place. On this date, the satisfied Yankees are unaware that they are fighting a losing battle with baseball destiny.

... a Jack Kramer link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/K/Kramer_Jack.stm

September 3, 1920: This Looks Like A Job for Sislerman. The St. Louis Browns slug their way to a 16–7 win over the Chicago White Sox. George Sisler has three hits on the day, collecting his 257th hit of the season to set a major league record. His four total bases today also gives him a major-league record of 399 for the year. Sisler throws in three stolen bases and, giving in to the demands of the fans, George also hurls a scoreless 9th inning in relief, striking out 2.

Let's see, how does that old radio show lead-in go. Oh yeah, ... "faster than a speeding bullet, ... more powerful than a locomotive. ... able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, ..." :clapping

September 3, 1906: Cobb "Error" Leads to Browns Victory. Ty Cobb is back in the Detroit Tiger lineup for the first time in six weeks. He has a single and a steal, but he misplays a Charlie Hemphill flyball into a home run for the Browns, and the Tigers lose, 1-0, to Barney Pelty of St. Louis. Rain stops the game after seven innings.

Again, I wish we had pictures and words to *show & tell* us what happened on Cobb's "misplay." One of baseball's historic curiosities is its often arbitrary ability to make distinctions between fielding misplays and fielding errors. How a questionable play is ruled makes a big difference in the statistics of the batter, the fielder, and the pitcher. I also wonder how many other people out there this morning are wishing that they had ESPN's coverage on a game played 98 years ago today. :atthepc

... a Charlie Hemphill link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/H/Hemphill_Charlie.stm

... a Barney Pelty link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/P/Pelty_Barney.stm

... General Reference Link for Today's Facts ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

Bill_McCurdy

09-04-2004, 06:35 AM

September 4, 1922: Browns Sweep Tribe As Sisler Rolls On. At home in Sportsman's Park, the St. Louis Browns win decisively, thrashing the Cleveland Indians, 10–3 and 13–2, in a split-gate doubleheader. Urban Shocker wins his 23rd in the morning game and Ken Williams crunches his 33rd home run of the season. George Sisler is 4-for-4 in the opener and 3-for-5 in second game to run his hitting streak to 34 straight games. Vangilder is the winner in the afternoon-cap.

... an Urban Shocker link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/S/Shocker_Urban.stm

... a Ken Williams link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/W/Williams_Ken233.stm

September 4, 1920: Collins Streaks Against Browns in DH: Eddie Collins has two hits in the second game of a doubleheader against the St. Louis Browns as the Chicago White Sox win, 5–2. Collins has hit safely since August 21. He will ring up a 22-game hitting streak through September 13.

September 4, 1917: 8 in 8th Paces ChiSox By Browns. The rampaging Chicago White Sox use an 8-run 8th inning to defeat the St. Louis Browns, 13–6. Red Faber is the winner over reliever Tom Rogers.

... a Tom Rogers link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/R/Rogers_Tom.stm

Bill_McCurdy

09-05-2004, 05:08 AM

September 5, 1935: BoSox Rally Past Browns. Trailing the St. Louis Browns, 5–1, Lefty Grove of the Boston Red Sox is lifted for pinch-hitter Wes Ferrell. Ferrell comes through for the Bostons by slamming an RBI single as the Red Sox go on to score six runs in the 6th inning enroute to a 9-5 win. As luck, more than deservedness, would have it on this afternoon, Lefty Grove is the winning pitcher.

On the subject of our system for awarding wins and losses to pitchers, you have to take that statistic with a grain of salt. Just don't count on it ever changing much. The sacred Hall of Fame pitching win list is based upon the way baseball has been crediting and blaming pitchers for over 100 years. No one is going to seriously touch it. In the long meanwhile, we shall continue to watch games that no pitcher deserves to win or lose. :atthepc

September 5, 1922: Here Come The Browns (For Now)! The St. Louis Browns take over 1st place in the American League today by beating the Cleveland Indians, 10–9. Urban Shocker wins his 23rd in relief. Sadly, he shall win no more beyonf this day. In the game, Ken Williams of the Browns hits his 34th home run of the season, a grand slam.

September 5, 1921: Indians Halt Shocker Win Streak; Tribe's Smith Sets A Record. St. Louis Browns pitcher Urban Shocker takes his first loss after winning nine in a row. Elmer Smith of the Cleveland Indians has two home runs to pace a 10–5 Indians win in a morning game. Guy Morton is the winning pitcher for the Tribe.

In the afternoon game, a 12–8 St. Louis win, Smith starts off with another one homer. Having hit one in Detroit the day before, Smith has seven straight extra base hits in three games - a big league record—for 22 total bases (3 doubles, four home runs + two walks). Earl Sheehy, in 1926, will seven long hits in just two games—a ML record—but he will sandwich those around a sacrifice fly.

September 5, 1915: Sisler Homers In Losing Mound Start. George Sisler pitches the first game of a doubleheader for the St. Louis Browns against the Detroit Tigers. He gives up six runs and loses the game, 6-5. Sisler did homer in his own losing cause. - Hmmm! Maybe the Browns should simply think about giving this young pitcher Sisler a chance to play everyday. :rolleyes:

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

Bill_McCurdy

09-06-2004, 06:44 AM

September 6, 1948: Use 'Em 'Fore You Lose 'Em. The Detroit Tigers and the St. Louis Browns set an American League mark by using 37 players in their game. It must have been either "Captain Hook Day" or "I'll Show Everybody I'm a Genius Manager Day" at the old ballpark. :rolleyes:

September 6, 1924: They Don't Make Arms Like They Used To. Urban Shocker of the St. Louis Browns hurls both games of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox. He completes both games, winning each by identical scores of 6-2. He strikes out only batter in the two games, and that may be a partial clue to solving the mystery of how some pitchers could do the iron-man routine in the early 20th century. By getting the batters to make contact outs early in the pitch count, a fellow might pitch all day and into the twilight.

September 6, 1913: Rickey Takes Over As Browns Manager. Jimmy Austin is replaced as interim manager of the St. Louis Browns by Branch Rickey. Austin (2-6) had taken over briefly for George Stovall (50-84) about a week earler. Rickey (5-6) takes over now to finish the season, but with an eye to the future. Rickey will go on to manage the Browns to a 71-82 record in 1914 before dipping to a 63-91 mark in 1915 and ending The Mahatma's career as a field general. What's the lesson here? I don't know. Maybe it's best summed up as: Incompetence 2 - Genius 0.

... a George Stovall link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/S/Stovall_George.stm

... a Jimmy Austin link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/A/Austin_Jimmy.stm

... a Branch Rickey link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/R/Rickey_Branch.stm

September 6, 1902: They Oughta Name An Award for Him. The Boston Red Sox defeat the St. Louis Browns today, 6-5, as pitcher Cy Young wins his 30th game of the year. He will win two more to close the 1902 season with a 32-11 record. Young, of course, will go on to finish his career with 511 wins through his last season of 1911. No wonder his career wins record may last forever. In 1902 alone, Cy Young started 43 games, completed 41, and also made two relief appearances. Can you think of any pitcher today who could come close to the 384.2 innings that Cy Young worked in 1902? For that matter, can you possibly think of a club out there today who would even let one of their pitchers try?

As we so often remind ourselves, it's a different game today. Cy Young's career wins record is as much a testament to that difference as it is to his pitching ability. Cy Young was baseball's testimony to the concept of Labor Day. There were more than a few underpaid and overworked laborers toiling away at record paces in America's growing industrial furnace in those days too. :atthepc

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

Happy Labor Day, Everybody! :waving

Bill_McCurdy

09-07-2004, 06:12 AM

September 7, 1889: Not OUR Browns. For those who still haven't heard the news, the 19th century club that played in the American Association as the "St. Louis Browns" was not our beloved franchise. They simply broke in our nickname for us until the real Browns came along in 1902 to start playing their way to a half century of almost pure ignominy. The 19th century version of the Browns would find a new nickname and live to face a different history in the National League as the "St. Louis Cardinals." In the absence of any easy reporting this morning on what happened in our Browns club history on Sept. 7th, here's a funny report on something that did go wrong for our earlier nicknamed counterparts on an 1889 day in Brooklyn. :atthepc

In the most controversial game in American Association history, the St. Louis Browns (later Cardinals) walk off the field in Brooklyn while leading 4–2 in the 9th inning. They claim it is too dark to play, but the lighted candles in front of their bench by club owner Chris Von der Ahe make umpire Fred Goldsmith determined to finish the game no matter what. Several St. Louis players are hit with bottles as they leave the grounds.

Today's Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

Bill_McCurdy

09-08-2004, 08:26 AM

September 8, 1922: The Day The Pennant Music Died. The New York Yankees go back on top of the American League pennant race, this time to stay, beating the Senators, 8–1, behind Carl Mays. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Browns lose to Detroit, 8–3. New York's win is triggered by Wally Pipp's 6th inning 3-run homer off Walter Johnson, the 2nd homer Wally has dinged off the Senator's ace in nine days.

The Detroit Tigers beat the Browns, 8–3, on Bobby Veach's two homers off Urban Shocker. First baseman Lu Blue pulls off two unassisted DPs, tying the American League record, and both are off line drives by Johnny Tobin.

September 8, 1917: Browns Players Sue Owner For Slander. Following yesterday's loss to the Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Browns owner Phil Ball accuses his players of laying down on the job because they dislike manager Fielder Jones. Browns shortstop Doc Lavan and seconf baseman Del Pratt sue owner Ball for $50,000 damages over his alleged slanderous statements in St. Louis newspapers. Both players are in the lineup today, however, when the Detroit Tigers edge the Browns, 1–0 in 12 innings. Ty Cobb triples off the right fence in the 12th and then scores the winning run on a sac fly.

No report on the weather for September 8, 1917, but the skies were pretty dark for managment and labor on this day in Browns history. :gt

,,, a Phil Ball link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/B/Ball_Phil_deCateesby.stm

... a Fielder Jones link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/J/Jones_Fielder.stm

... a Doc Lavan link ...http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/L/Lavan_Doc.stm

... a Del Pratt link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/P/Pratt_Del.stm

Today's General Reference link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

Bill_McCurdy

09-09-2004, 04:16 AM

September 9, 1945: Fowler No-Hits Browns. Dick Fowler of the Philadelphia Athletics returns from 3 years with the Canadian Army and pitches a no-hitter, walking 4 and beating the St. Louis Browns, 1-0, in the 2nd game of a doubleheader. A triple by Hal Peck leads to the winning run in the 9th. It is Fowler's first start since his return and his first major league shutout. The no-hitter is the first by an Athletic since 1916.

September 9, 1928: Shocker Dead at 38. At age 38, Yankee pitcher and former Brown Urban Shocker dies of pneumonia in Denver, where he had gone for his health. Only now does it become known that he had suffered from an enlarged heart and was unable to sleep lying down for two years. Shocker, who never had a losing season, was 18-6 in 1927 but appeared in only one game in 1928. In 1922, Shocker was 24-17 for the Browns club that lost out to the Yankees by a single game.

Quiz: What happens to players who become Yankee-Beaters?
Answer: Eventually, they become Yankees. ;)

... an Urban Shocker link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/S/Shocker_Urban.stm

September 9, 1922: Baby Doll Leads Browns Past Tigers. Baby Doll Jacobson collects three triples to lead the St. Louis Browns to a 16–0 whitewash of the Detroit Tigers. The victory, the most lopsided in Browns' history, goes to pitcher Elam Vangilder. St. Louis totals 20 hits with Ken Williams hitting a homer in his 5th straight game, his 37th of the year. Sisler has three hits to keep his hit streak alive, as the Browns keep pace with the New York Yankees, who were winners in 10 innings against Washington.

... a Baby Doll Jacobson link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/J/Jacobson_Baby_Doll.stm

... an Elam Vangilder link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/V/Vangilder_Elam.stm

September 9, 1909: Browns Release Dineen. Bill Dinneen, winner of three games in the first World Series as a member of the Boston Red Sox, is released today by the St. Louis Browns. Dineen becomes an American League umpire, a position he will hold through 1937.

... a Bill Dineen link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/D/Dineen_Bill.stm

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

Bill_McCurdy

09-10-2004, 06:02 AM

September 10, 1935: Browns Extend Mack-Men Misery. The St. Louis Browns take an 8–6 win over the Philadelphia Athletics, handing the Mack-Men their 13th straight loss. Jimmie Foxx is 2-for-3 for the A's, while Tom Carey and Ed Coleman each have three hits for the Browns. For Coleman, it was a nice day against his former club. Coleman came over to the Browns from the A's, along with pitcher Merritt "Sugar" Cain, in a May 21st trade for pitcher George Blaeholder.

... a Tom Carey link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/C/Carey_Tom.stm

... an Ed Coleman link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/C/Coleman_Ed.stm

... a Sugar Cain link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/C/Cain_Sugar.stm

... a Geroge Blaeholder link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/B/Blaeholder_George.stm

September 10, 1926: Browns Halt McCurdy Streak. In the St. Louis Browns' 5–4 win over the Chicago White Sox, pitcher Win Ballou stops catcher Harry McCurdy's consecutive game hitting streak at 10. Win also wins.

... a Win Ballou link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/B/Ballou_Win.stm

... a Harry McCurdy link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/M/McCurdy_Harry.stm

September 10, 1908: Browns In Hunt, But Falling Fast. The Detroit Tigers take their 2nd straight extra-inning game from the Chicago White Sox by a score of 6-5 in 11 innings. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Indians are beating up on the St. Louis Browns, 5-2. The American League race now looks like this:

Detroit 75-52 *
Chicago 72-57 (4 games behind)
St. Louis 71-57 (4.5 games behind)

* The Tigers are well on their way to becoming the last club that will fall to the Chicago Cubs in a World Series. It's now been 96 years since the Cubs defeated the Tigers in the 1908 Fall Classic. At least the Cubs won it, once upon a time. Our dearly departed Browns never did. Now it's too late for any kind of change that might :hp

... Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

Bill_McCurdy

09-11-2004, 06:54 AM

September 11, 1927: Browns Avoid Season Sweep By NY. After losing 21 games in a row to the New York Yankees, the St. Louis Browns win their last meeting, 6-2, behind Milt Gaston's 5-hitter. No team has ever swept a 22-game season series. One National League team, the 1909 Cubs, went 21-1 against the Braves.

a personal note: On January 27, 1996, Milt Gaston celebrated his 100th birthday. Some time after the fact, I sent him a card, a letter, and a baseball that I asked him to sign for me, if possible. I didn't hear anything for weeks. Since I'd told Milt that he could just keep the baseball, if signing and sending it back was too big a deal, I just assumed that my request was too much for the 100 year old former Brown and didn't worry about it. My main reason for writing was to let him know that there are still those of us out here who honor the Browns, sometimes especially those who played before our time. When the news came on April 26, 1996 that Milt Gaston had passed away, most of us were saddened, but unsurprised. The man had made it to 100 with a few months to spare and was ready to go. What more could anyone ask of life at that age.

Here comes the spooky part. I still get goose bumps thinking about it. A few days later, I received a raggedly wrapped baseball box. It was the same box that I had sent to Milt Gaston weeks earlier. When I opened the box, there was the ball, with Milt Gaston's shaky signature scrawled upon it, and that wasn't all. Milt had signed a photo of himself in a Browns uniform, and then folded the photo and stuffed it into the box with the baseball. And this all happened within days after Milt Gaston's passing. I couldn't tell when the package had been mailed because it was pretty beat up upon arrival. It just made me feel that Milt Gaston had appreciated my reaching out to him. The package came with no note, just the two signed items. It was addressed in the same shaky hand that signed the ball, and it had been sealed with strange looking tape that looked as though it had been torn from its container. It may have been the last baseball that Milt Gaston ever signed. I guess he signed it. I like to think that signing and sending that ball and picture back to me was just part of Milt Gaston's last unfinished business with an old fan. Like "Ruth's Called Shot," that's the way this little personal baseball miracle plays out in my mind, even if I never know the whole truth about how this happened. All I can tell you for sure is this: it's a very chilling experience to get mail from someone you know is already dead.

Congratulations, Milt! Today's the anniversary of that time you stopped the '27 Yankees from sweeping the season series with our Browns. :waving

... a Milt Gaston link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/G/Gaston_Milt.stm

... one more Gaston link ... http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/gastomi01.shtml

September 11, 1922: Browns Survive Tiger Attack. The St. Louis Browns are down, 4–3, to the Detroit Tigers in the 9th, but a walk and a George Sisler triple ties the game. Marty McManus then lines a single to win it, 5–4, for reliever Hub Pruett. Unfortunately, Sisler falls on his shoulder in the 7th while stretching for a ball, but he stays in the game in spite of the painful injury.

... a George Sisler link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/S/Sisler_George.stm

... a Marty McManus link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/M/McManus_Marty.stm

... a Hub Pruett link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/P/Pruett_Hub.stm

September 11, 1912: Who Would Get The "L" Today? In St. Louis, Browns starter Jack Powell leaves after seven innings, losing 3–0 to the New York Highlanders. Reliever George Baumgartner gives up two more runs in the 8th, but the Browns score four in the bottom of the inning to cut the losing margin to 5–4. The New York Times reports the loss to Baumgartner, who pitched poorly. :noidea Will baseball ever come up with a unifom rule about the "W" and "L" pitching awards in games like this one? By today's standards, Powell would have been assigned the "L."

September 11, 1907: Brown's Blanked. Chicago's Doc White blanks the Browns, 2-0. However, his one base on balls ends his AL record run of 65 1/3 IP without issuing a walk. He will win a career high 27 games and walk only 38 in 291 innings pitched.

September 11, 1905: Browns Buy Jake Powell. The New York Highlanders sell workhorse pitcher Jack Powell (8-13) to the St. Louis Browns. Powell won 23 games in 1904, pitching 390 1/3 innings.

... a Jake Powell link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/P/Powell_Jack.stm

Bill_McCurdy

09-12-2004, 06:05 AM

September 12, 1908: Browns Lose Again. In the dogfight for the American League pennant, the Chicago White Sox play their 4th straight extra-inning game at Detroit, a feat that now totals 43 innings. The White Sox win their 2nd straight over the Tigers, while the St. Louis Browns lose their 2nd in a row to the Cleveland Indians.

In spite of the fact that they are falling out of the race and headed toward a 4th place finish, the Browns are on their way to the best attendance year in their seven year history. The Browns' final gate of 618,947 will triple the tab for the 1908 National League Cardinals. It is 1908, and the future of the St. Louis Browns is looking good. :)

... Attendance Reference ... see the new subject thread in this forum that is dedicated to a year-by-year comparison of Browns and Cardinals attendance over the course of their half century of competition in St. Louis (1902-53).

... Today's Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

Bill_McCurdy

09-13-2004, 04:39 AM

September 13, 1922: Sisler Out; Pennant Drive & Hitting Streak in Jeopardy. The St. Louis Browns announce that George Sisler has severely strained ligaments and cannot lift his right arm over his head. He might be out for the remainder of the season, jeopardizing the Browns' pennant chances and Sisler's 39-game hitting streak. Ironically, the injury occurred when Sisler tried to catch a throw on a hit by Ty Cobb, whose streak he is trying to break. Without Sisler, the Browns rally to beat the Detroit Tigers, 8–6. Bay Doll Jacobson, playing 1st base, makes two errors.

September 13, 1909: Browns "Help" Cobb Achieve Rare Record. Ty Cobb clinches the American League home run title with his 9th round-tripper. It is an inside-the-park drive against the St. Louis Browns. In fact, all of Cobb's nine home runs this '09 season are inside-the-park jobs, including two on July 15th. Ty Cobb is the only player in the 20th century to lead his league in home runs without hitting a single ball out of the park. Only Sam Crawford (12 in 1901) has hit more inside-the-park homers in a single year than Cobb attains this season. - Well, there's another record that we may safely assume is now safe forever. No way it can happen again in 2004. Eh, it's too late. Now, as for the prospects of either league's HR leader hitting only inside-the-parkers in 2005, don't bet the ranch. Don't even bet a washer from a faucet in one of the bathrooms in the ranch. :rolleyes:

September 13, 1908: Waddell Halts Tigers. St. Louis Browns pitcher Rube Waddell gives up a Detroit run in the first when Ty Cobb triples home Matty McIntyre, but Rube ties the game himself when he singles a run home in the 2nd. Waddell allows nothing after the 1st and the Browns win, 2-1, when Syd Smith singles in the winning run in the bottom of the 11th.

... a Rube Waddell link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/W/Waddell_Rube.stm

... a Syd Smith link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/S/Smith_Syd.stm

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

Bill_McCurdy

09-14-2004, 05:22 AM

September 14, 1950: Browns On A Roll. "Browns On A Roll" may read like a recipe for the club being served up as an appetizer for pennant hungry contenders per usual. True as that usually was most of the time, including the bulk of the '50 season, the Browns are on a different kind of roll this week. They are rolling like an armored tank. The St. Louis Browns stretch their win streak to eight games by beating the Boston Red Sox, 6–3, for only their second win over the Beantowners in twenty games this year to date. The Browns' eight game win streak is the longest for the club since their 1944 American League championship year. Their defeat today drops the Bosox two games behind the Yanks. Ted Williams is the bright spot for Boston. With his fractured elbow now healed, Williams pinch hits in the eighth inning. Teddy Ballgame responds by cracking out a double. In spite of this positive flurry, the Browns will go on to finish 7th in 1950 with a final season record of 58-96.

September 14, 1934: "If At 1st You Don't Succeed, Try, Try Again!" Bobo Newsom of the St. Louis walks the first 4 batters he faces and promptly departs the first game of a doubleheader with the Philadelphia Athletics. The Browns will lose to the A's, 9-7, in the first game. Not to be long discouraged, Newsom starts the seond game too. This time he begins with 4 straight strikeouts as the Browns go on to win a sply by a 5-2 score.

... a Bobo Newsom link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/N/Newsom_Bobo.stm

September 14, 1921: Big Train Hits Browns. Washington's Walter Johnson gives up three hits but still faces just 27 batters in edging the Browns 1–0. Following two singles in the 4th, George Sisler's line drive is turned into a triple play. Jack Tobin singles in the 7th, but Johnson picks him off. Tobin will set a American League record this year with 179 singles, a mark that Sam Rice will top in 1925.

... a Jack Tobin link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/T/Tobin_Jack.stm

Bill_McCurdy

09-15-2004, 05:29 AM

September 15, 1950: The Return of Ted Williams. Ted Williams returns to the Boston Red Sox starting lineup. He blasts a home run and three singles in a 12–9 Boston victory over the St. Louis Browns. The Red Sox will come within two games of the first place Yankees this week, but will end up in third place, behind both New York and Detroit.

September 15, 1944: Stern Warning Denied. Radio announcer Bill Stern reports on a scandal involving the St. Louis Browns. A Chicago newspaper attributes the Browns' recent slump to the fact that the team wants a larger park for the World Series. (Go figure. We don't have all the details on this little tale-wagging whirlpool without further research, but think about the quality of this logic as it flows to us in summary form. Would losing enough games to miss the World Series altogether help a club get a larger ballpark built for a team that was trying to get to the big show for the first time in 43 years?) Four days after the Chicago story breaks, Bill Stern repudiates the notion that it was ever true.

For those who don't remember him, Bill Stern in the 1940's was to sports what Dan Rather is to general news today. You had to take anything he said with a whole box of Morton's Salt to find a bias-free grain of truth. :rolleyes:

September 15, 1922: On The Way To Heartbreak Ridge. The St. Louis Browns pull to within a half game of the New York Yankees, who are losers to the Chicago White Sox, by rallying to beat the Boston Red Sox, 7–1. Elam Vangilder scatters five hits to get the win. St. Louis trailed, 1–0, after six and a half innings before coming back.

September 15, 1907: Wrong Way To History. Enter Rod Serling for an introduction to this one: "The man we see walking down the street, the well-dressed, portly fellow with the big cigar, and even bigger smile, is Mr. Hugo Dusenberg, an ordinary St. Louis baseball fan. ... A kind and jolly type, by nature, Hugo is especially happy today because there's a hint of autumn in the air and he's on his way to a Browns baseball game. ... Little does Hugo suspect at this moment in time - that he's about to do something today that will guarantee his place forever in ... the twilight zone of baseball history." :eek:

At the Browns-Tigers game in St. Louis, a soda bottle thrown by a fan, Hugo Dusenberg, fells umpire Billy Evans. The crowd beats up Hugo before the police come to his rescue. Dusenberg is fined $100. Evans is carried from the field and hospitalized, but he is not seriously injured.

westsidegrounds

09-15-2004, 04:51 PM

[B]September 15, 1944: Stern Warning Denied. Radio announcer Bill Stern reports on a scandal involving the St. Louis Browns. A Chicago newspaper attributes the Browns' recent slump to the fact that the team wants a larger park for the World Series. .

Could it have been that it was the American League that wanted the Browns to not win (supposedly)? Because as you point out, the Browns were gonna play in their own stadium, if they won.

As of the 15th, the Yanks were right in the race, and the Stadium would certainly hold bigger crowds than Sportsman's Park.

Bill_McCurdy

09-15-2004, 05:06 PM

"Could it have been that it was the American League that wanted the Browns to not win (supposedly)? Because as you point out, the Browns were gonna play in their own stadium, if they won." - Westsidegrounds

I don't know, WSG. The brief report only referred to the team's wishes, not the league's. It would be interesting to know how much difference it made to the other 14 clubs about who played in the World Series. I'm not sure how much the other clubs shared in the WS gate back in 1944. Also, there was no TV money and I doubt seriously if radio rights spread much money, if any, to the 14 "losers."

If anyone out there can shed some light for us here on this Stern issue, please do so. Sometimes short reports are all we need to know. In this instance, we got just enough information to be confounded. :crazy

Bill_McCurdy

09-16-2004, 05:24 AM

September 16, 1944: Browns Recapture Lead. Jack Kramer's one-hitter against the Chicago White Sox propels the St. Louis Browns back into first place in the American League.

... a Jack Kramer link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/K/Kramer_Jack.stm

September 16, 1940: "Lucky" Lucadello! Rookie Johnny Lucadello of the St. Louis Browns hits home runs from each side of the plate versus the New York Yankees in a 16-4 St. Louis Browns win. Only Wally Schang, in 1916, had accomplished the same in the American League. Mickey Mantle will become the next AL player to do it in 1995. Adding to the supposition of rookie luck is the fact these are the only HRs Lucadello will hit all year. :atthepc

... a Johnny Lucadello link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/L/Lucadello_Johnny.stm

September 16, 1922: Showdown in St. Louis. Pennant fever rages in St. Louis, as the New York Yankees come to town with a half-game lead. Bob Shawkey outpitches Urban Shocker 2–1, as George Sisler ties Ty Cobb's 1911 record by hitting in his 40th straight game. While chasing a fly ball in the 9th, New York OF Whitey Witt is hit in the head and knocked cold by a soda bottle thrown from the bleachers.* American League President Ban Johnson will initially offer a $1,000 reward for the name of the bottle-thrower. To calm the crowds, the American League offers the less plausible theory that Witt stepped on the bottle as he was running and that it flew up and hit him. The incident leads to a ban on the sale of bottled drinks in ballparks.

* No reports on the location of aging Browns fan Hugo Dusenberg on this particular occasion. If you read yesterday's posts for this date in Browns history, you immediately will understand why Dusenberg's name comes to mind as one of "the usual suspects." ;)

... Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

Bill_McCurdy

09-17-2004, 05:35 AM

September 17, 1931: A Bad News Browns Afternoon. In the first of two, the New York Yankees and Red Ruffing rough up the St. Louis Browns and George Blaeholder, 17–0. Bill Dickey's grand slam is the big blow. The Yanks also take the nitecap, 6–1, behind Lefty Gomez's three hitter and Babe Ruth's 41st and 42nd homers of the year. Makes you wonder. How do you suppose the Brownies spent the rest of that day, once they finally got away from the ballpark? :crazy :crazy

... a George Blaeholder link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/B/Blaeholder_George.stm

September 17, 1925: Dog Day Afternoon. This date in Browns history seems to be chocked full of redundancy and double failure. Unfortunately, September 17th is not an isolated case. Behind hurlers Ted Wingfield and Paul Zahniser, the Boston Red Sox shut out the St. Louis Browns twice, winning 2–0 and 4–0. :crazy :crazy

September 17, 1922: Those Unruly St. Louis Fans Again. St. Louis Browns southpaw Hub Pruett, who has fanned Babe Ruth in 9 of 10 times of contest with each other this season, is finally touched for a home run by the Bambino. Pruett holds on to beat the Yankees, 5–1. Yankee outfielder Whitey Witt, who was hit in the head with a flying bottle yesterday, receives an ovation, but the partisan crowd in center field at Sportsman's Park is quick to wave white hankies in the 8th inning for Yanks pinch-hitter Norm McMillan. Police make them stop. .... What? ... What? ... :noidea ... At any rate, George Sisler has a single to extend his hitting streak to 41 games.

... a Hub Pruett link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/P/Pruett_Hub.stm

September 17, 1916: Sisler's Last Mound Victory. St. Louis Browns pitcher George Sisler wins out, 1–0, over Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators. It is the last win of Sisler's pitching careeer, as his batting prowess soon dictates him a place in the starting everyday lineup as a first baseman. Sisler also will play two games as a left-handed third baseman before his days of moving around are done. Over the course of his career, George Sisler compiled a pitching record of 5 wins, 6 losses, and an E.R.A. of 2.35. He appeared in 24 games as a pitcher, completing 9 of the 12 starts that he had.

Bill_McCurdy

09-18-2004, 07:48 AM

September 18, 1951: Byrne Slams Sens. In the first of two games today, St. Louis Browns pitcher Tommy Byrne hits a grand slam off the Washington Senators Sid Hudson in the 9th inning to ice the game, 8-0. It's the first grand slam for the Browns this year. In the nitecap, Byrne cracks a 10th-inning pinch single to give the Browns a 3–2 victory.

... a Tommy Byrne link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/B/Byrne_Tommy.stm

September 18, 1938: Details Would've Been Helpful! Although they drop a doubleheader today to the St. Louis Browns, the New York Yankees clinch the pennant. (Assume that the NY magic number over Boston or Cleveland was down to 1 or 2 - and that the chaser club also lost their game or even a DH. The Yankees end up winning the 1938 American League pennant by 9.5 games over Boston. So, it was pretty much downhill for the contenders from this date that the Yankees clinched. Again, it would've been helpful to have found some details on how the Browns double-dosed New York today. :grouchy

September 18, 1934: More Bad Luck for Bobo & The Browns. Bobo Newsom of the St. Louis Browns continues a run of unusual bad luck, losing a no-hitter after getting two outs in the 10th inning. Two walks and a single produce the game's only run as Wes Ferrell of the Boston Red Sox hurls a 10-hit shutout, 1-0.

... a Bobo Newsom link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/N/Newsom_Bobo.stm

September 18, 1922: That Pennant-Fatal Day. New York's Whitey Witt, his head bandaged from being hit by a bottle, drives in two in the 9th for a 3–2 Yankee win over the St. Louis Browns at Sportsman's Park. The win allows New York to leave St. Louis with a 1.5 game lead over the Browns. The Yankees will finish one game on top, clinching the pennant on the 30th of September with a 3–1 win in Boston. More bad news today: George Sisler's 41-game hitting streak is stopped by New York's Joe Bush, the same pitcher he had started the streak against on July 27th. :mad:

... Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/SEPTEMBER18.stm

Bill_McCurdy

09-19-2004, 07:24 AM

September 19, 1922: Ken Williams Gets HR #39. Against the Washington Senators and Walter Johnson, Ken Williams crushes his 39th and final home run of the year in the 4th inning. Pat Collins, subbing for the still hurting George Sisler at 1B, adds another solo home run in the 7th to give the St. Louis Browns a 2–1 lead. Unfortunately, the Senators rally to win, 4-3, with Walter Johnson earning the win over Elam Vangilder. Sisler pinch hits, but strikes out. If it seems as though the Browns are contstantly facing Walter Johnson, that's only because they are, but so is everyone else. With each club having only 7 opponents in the "old days," you see your foes much more often and you play them more games per season. Throw in the fact that clubs go with 4-man rotations, sometimes even use their great starters more often, while also using their great ones in relief and - what do you get? If you're the Browns, you get to see guys like Walter Johnson more often than you do your unemployed and not-really-looking-all-that-hard-for-new-work brother-in-law. :atthepc

... a Ken Williams link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/W/Williams_Ken233.stm

... a Pat Collins link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/C/Collins_Pat.stm

September 19, 1920: Browns Not Intimidated By Movie Star Ruth. In New York, Babe Ruth's movie opens at Madison Square Garden. It has been retitled Heading Home. In St. Louis, the Browns show no respect for the Bambino's debut as a movie star. They beat the New York Yankees, 6–1. ;)

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/SEPTEMBER19.stm

Bill_McCurdy

09-20-2004, 04:59 AM

September 20, 1924: Browns Derail Old Train. Pitching on two days rest in St. Louis, the great veteran Walter Johnson is pounded out of the box by the Browns and pinch hit for in the 2nd. Each team collects 18 hits as the St. Louis Browns outslug and under-wobble the Washington Senators, 15–14. Goose Goslin gives Washington a 14–13 lead in the 10th with his 2nd home run of the game, but a wild throw to 2nd in the bottom of the 10th by reliever Firpo Marberry gives the win to the Browns.

September 20, 1923: NY Clinches 3rd AL Pennant Against Browns. It is only a baby of a dynasty, but make no mistake. It is a baby dynasty that is starting to make all the other clubs cry. The New York Yankees clinch their 3rd straight pennant today, beating the St. Louis Browns, 4–3, to pad their big lead to 18 games. Their final margin this year will be 16.

September 20, 1908: Browns Derail New Train. Little do they know on this day, but they only have about 1,000 more years ahead of them to deal with this routine menace. Today things go well. Behind the 17 strikeouts bagged by starter Rube Waddell, the St. Louis Browns defeat young Walter Johnson and the Washington Nationals (aka Senators) in 10 innings by a score of 2-1. :atthepc

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/SEPTEMBER20.stm

Bill_McCurdy

09-21-2004, 06:14 AM

September 21, 1935: Tigers Clinch Pennant on Brown Carpet Ride. The Detroit Tigers clinch the American League pennant with a double win over the St. Louis Browns today, winning 6–2 and 2–0. Eldon Auker wins the nitecap with a complete game shutout, while Tommy Bridges takes the opener. The Tigers will coast the rest of the way, going 1–6, while the Yankees will go 6–1. No report is provided on the Browns' last week, but it doesn't matter. They aren't going anywhere, anyway. :o

September 21, 1933: Senators Clinch Pennant Against Browns. With lefty Walter Stewart pitching, the Washington Senators eliminate the New York Yankees and clinch the American League pennant in a 2–1 home win over the St. Louis Browns. Any claims the Senators embrace for their years of hardship are too often exploded by their sporadic escapes from mediocrity. Their 1933 AL crown is their 3rd league championship. The Sens will go on to lose the '33 World Series to the New York Giants in 5 games. Ten years earlier, however, Washington had defeated the Giants to take the '24 Series in 7. The following year, the Senators turned a back-to-back AL pennant run, but lost the '25 Series in 7 games to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

September 21, 1928: Ruffing Roughs Up Browns. At St. Louis, Boston's Red Ruffing smashes a 3-run homer in the 7th and pitches the Red Sox to a 5–3 win over the Browns. ..... Ouch! :mad:

September 21, 1922: Sisler Named AL MVP. The American League reinstates the MVP award, last given in 1914, appointing a committee of one writer from each city, headed by I.E. Sanborn of the Chicago Tribune. As a player-manager, Ty Cobb is not eligible, and the trophy is awarded to George Sisler of the St. Louis Browns. The National League will pick up the idea two years later.

September 21, 1908: Baked Brownies Are Footnotes in Baseball History: The Cleveland Naps take the American League lead, beating the New York Highlanders, while the Detroit Tigers take two from the Browns at St. Louis. With two weeks to go, 3.5 games separate four teams. The Tigers will go on from here to win the 1908 AL crown by a mere half game over Cleveland. Had the Browns split their DH with Detroit today, Cleveland would've won the AL pennant and been the team to face the Chicago Cubs in the 1908 World Series. - Who knows? Maybe Cleveland would've beaten the Cubs. Then we wouldn't have to be constantly reminded that 1908 was the last time the Cubs ever won a World Series. Instead, we'd be reminded that 1907 was the last time the Cubs ever won it all. - Apply these same rules of "what might have been" to your own life sometime and see what you come up with.

:confused: :atthepc :crazy

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/SEPTEMBER21.stm

Bob Hannah

09-21-2004, 07:07 AM

[B]September 21, 1908: Baked Brownies Are Footnotes in Baseball History: The Cleveland Naps take the American League lead, beating the New York Highlanders, while the Detroit Tigers take two from the Browns at St. Louis. With two weeks to go, 3.5 games separate four teams. The Tigers will go on from here to win the 1908 AL crown by a mere half game over Cleveland...

The '08 National League race was also one that should be remembered-Giants, Cubs, and Pirates fighting it out all summer. "Merkles's Boner" forced a one game playoff, Cubs v. Giants. The Series was rather an anti-climax after the regular season. The 1908 regular season may have the most exciting on record for big league baseball. :lookitup

Bill_McCurdy

09-22-2004, 06:15 AM

September 22, 1935: Earl Dukes Detroit. The St. Louis Browns use fresh face Earl Caldwell, recently called up from San Antonio of the Texas League, to defeat the league-leading Detroit Tigers, 1–0, on three hits. Schoolboy Rowe is the loser. Rowe's error in the 6th allows the only run. Caldwell isn't a rookie. He pitched briefly with Philadelphia in the National League back in 1928 and he will hang around the major leagues for about the equivalent of eight full seasons before finally hanging it up after 1948.

... an Earl Caldwell link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/C/Caldwell_Earl.stm

September 22, 1911: Browns Go: 000 000 000 000 000 000. It's another double dip downer day as starters Jim Scott and Frank Lange of the Chicago White Sox both apply whitewashes to the St. Louis Browns. The White Sox win the double bill by scores of 5–0 and 1–0. :crazy :crazy

September 22, 1909: Original Browns Manager Steps Down. Jimmy McAleer of the St. Louis Browns, one of the American League's original managers, resigns today after eight years at the helm. McAleer will take over as the new deep thinker of the Washington Nationals.

... a Jimmy McAleer link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/M/McAleer_Jimmy.stm

... Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/SEPTEMBER22.stm

Bill_McCurdy

09-23-2004, 05:37 AM

September 23, 1933: Browns Lose to Tigers; Tigers Lose Manager. Despite the 5th-place Detroit Tigers' 5–3 win over the St. Louis Browns, manager Bucky Harris submits his resignation. Del Baker takes over as interim manager of the Tigers at the every end and goes 2-0. Although Babe Ruth's name will be prominent in the newspapers as a possible replacement, the '34 Tiger job will go to Mickey Cochrane. The Browns are merely wallpaper to this story and, for the most part, to this date in baseball history, at least, as it's currently being reported by our main source. We need to get our hands on the archival files of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. :)

September 23, 1915: Sisler Relieves. In the first of two games, the New York Yankees shut out the St. Louis Browns, 7–0. George Sisler pitches one perfect inning of relief for St. Louis. Unfortunately, our source apparently felt that we didn't really care about the results of Game Two. As a result, no score is given for the nitecap. Heck! They don't even tell us who won! :mad: Baseball history writers should never assume that Browns fans don't want to know. We do want to know. We can handle the truth. :eek:

In the meanwhile, have a great Browns fan day. - While you're at it, watch out for the goose eggs. Some days are full of them. ;)

Today's General(ly Poor) Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/SEPTEMBER23.stm

Bill_McCurdy

09-24-2004, 06:05 AM

September 24, 1933: Anonymous Browns Avoid No No. Detroit's Tommy Bridges reaches the 9th inning with a no-hitter for the 3rd time this season and the 4th time in two years. He yields a pair of hits, as the Detroit Tigers beat the St. Louis Browns, 7–0. Unfortunately, our source fails to reveal the names of the Browns players who ruin Bridges' no-hit bid.

September 24, 1921: "Nuthin' To It, You 2004 Wimps!" - Double Duty Davis. St. Louis Browns pitcher Dixie Davis pitches both ends of the doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox, scattering nine hits and losing the opener, 2–1, then coasting to an 11–0 win in the nitecap.

What do you suppose Browns manager Lee Fohl was thinking when he made the decision to start Davis in the second game? Maybe something like: "Well, Davis did just pitch nine innings, but he scattered those nine hits he gave up pretty good, even though he lost. Yeah, I may as well start him again in the second game." :eek:

... a Dixie Davis link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/D/Davis_Dixie.stm

September 24, 1919: White Sox Clinch Against Browns. The Chicago White Sox ride a 6-5 win over the St. Louis Browns to clinch the 1919 American League pennant. The final margin will be 3.5 games over the Cleveland Indians. Does any American League pennant winner ever wrap it up against any club other than the Browns? :noidea

The Browns will head from here to the usual shade of off-season anonymity. On the other hand, eight of the White Sox players will head from here to a 1920 lifetime ban from baseball for allegedly doing some very bad things in the 1919 World Series.

:waving :waving :waving :waving :waving :waving :waving :waving

September 24, 1916: Sisler Loses. In the first game of a doubleheader, St. Louis Browns first baseman George Sisler pitches his second game in eight days, tossing a complete game, but losing, 2–0, to Harry Seibold of the Philadelphia Athletics.

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/SEPTEMBER24.stm

Bill_McCurdy

09-25-2004, 05:32 AM

September 25, 1944: Tigers & Browns Head to Pennant Wire in Dead Heat. Going into the final Monday of the season, the Detroit Tigers hold a one-game lead over the St. Louis Browns, with the New York Yankees now out of the running. (Gee, that sentence felt funny when I wrote it down, I think I'd better type it in again, just to be sure that we're still not simply dreaming about something that happened sixty years ago.) Going into the final Monday of the season, the Tigers hold a one-game lead over the Browns with the New York Yankees now out of the running. (That's the part that reads wierd, even when you type it twice.) The Browns get big help today from the Men of Connie Mack. Russ Christopher of the Phildadelphia Athletics throttles the Tigers, 2-1, to produce a tie for the lead between the Browns and Detroit. :atthepc

September 25, 1926: Yankees Clinch Against Browns in Record Time. The New York Yankees do what they usually do. They just do it faster today. New York takes two from the St. Louis Browns to nail down the American League flag, winning the opener 10–2 behind Herb Pennock. Ruth's grand slam is the big blow. In the nitecap, Lou Gehrig homers in the 3rd inning, off Milt Gaston, while Ruth matches him with a 2-run home run in the 6th off Win Ballou. Ruth adds a solo shot in the 9th, his 46th, off Joe Giard to seal the Waite Hoyt 10–4 victory. Despite the score, the game is played in a new American League record 55 minutes. The National League record is 51 minutes, set on September 28, 1919.

... a Milt Gaston link ...http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/G/Gaston_Milt.stm

... a Win Ballou link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/B/Ballou_Win.stm

... a Joe Giard link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/G/Giard_Joe.stm

September 25, 1910: Johnson 1-Hits Browns. Walter Johnson of Washington tosses the first of his two career one-runner games, missing a perfect game when a grounder skips by shortstop George McBride for a single. Johnson's one-hitter is good for a 3–0 victory over the St. Louis Browns. Even though it is early in franchise history, the Browns demonstrate their availability today as the canvas for the masterpiece work of others. :mad:

Have a nice Saturday, everybody! :waving

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/SEPTEMBER25.stm

Bill_McCurdy

09-26-2004, 05:57 AM

September 26, 1953: The Last Brownie Homer. Here's one for your next game of baseball trivia down at the barber shop or hair styling salon, depending on your gender or level of hoi-paloi-ness. I'm a barber shop guy myself. In today's game, Billy Hunter becomes the last St. Louis Browns player to hit an official American League home run. In spite of Hunter's long reach into the final record books of our grieving Brownie Nation, St. Louis loses to the Chicago White Sox, 6-3.

September 26, 1926: Browns Sweep Yanks in Record-Time for DH. The St. Louis Browns beat the New York Yankees twice today. The 6–1 and 6–2 wins were completed in a total time of only 2 hours, 7 minutes, a major league record for a twin bill. Unless there's a duplicative mistake in our source's reporting, the second game time ties the record established only yesterday for the fastest in American League history at 55 minutes. Man! These guys really want to get this season down and done, don't they?

In spite of the record time finish, the Yankees total 19 hits on the day, while the Browns collect 26 in the two games. Boy! Do we ever need a time machine to go see this one? How on earth do two clubs collect 45 hits and still manage to finish a doubleheader in a little over two hours?? :confused:

Babe Ruth has one at bat in Game Two, then sits, and misses reliever George Sisler, who tosses two scoreless innings to finish for St. Louis. When the Browns score four in the 8th, Sisler picks up the victory.

On the year, Ruth has 47 homers - over twice the number of runner-up Al Simmons of Philadelphia, who finishes with 19. Ruth also leads the American League in 1926 with 139 runs scored, 155 RBI, and 144 bases on balls. Ruth is batting .372, second to Detroit's Heinie Manush, who will go 6 for 9 on the last day of the '26 season to finish at .378.

Browns coach Jimmie Austin, 46 years old, participates in the nitecap and contributes to the win by knocking in a run with a double and then stealing home. He is not the oldest to steal a base (Arlie Latham stole one back in 1909 for the New York Giants at the age of 49!*), but he is the oldest to steal home. Latham and Austin, - they represent two more facts for your next trivia game, and here's one more. - The Yankees use Fred Merkle in his final game in the big leagues today. Merkle replaces Lou Gehrig at first base in the 6th inning of Game Two.

* Baseball Library.Com gives Latham credit for being 50 at the time of his stolen base, but I checked it further and found them to be wrong. Latham was born on March 15, 1860. Therefore, he could only have been 49 during the 1909 season. If he were 50 at the time he stole that base, then he had to have done it during the 1910 season, but that's unlikely. The MacMillan Baseball Encyclopedia lists 1909 as Latham's last season. That's good enough settlement for me on this one.
:lookitup

September 26, 1920: Thank You For Your Support! An overflowing Sunday crowd of 30,000 fans cram Sportsman's Park to see today's game. I'm not sure what they are giving away to attract such an end of the year crowd. I doubt that it was "George Sisler Bobble Head Day," don't you? At any rate, the fans turn out today for whatever reason, even though the third place Browns are deep on their way to finishing the 1920 season a hopeless 19.5 games behind the pennant winning Cleveland Indians, who also happen to be the Brownie opposition on this festive autumn afternoon. :confused:

Unfortunately for the happy and dedicated fans of St. Louis, the Cleveland Indians spoil things by topping the Browns, 7–5, behind seven innings of strong relief from George Uhle. Joe Sewell knocks home four runs and Steve O'Neill contributes a drive that hits a mounted policeman's horse for a ground rule double. "... What??? ... Ground Rule Double??? ... Ground rule double, my horse's a**!!!" ... Officer Krupke.

:grouchy

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/SEPTEMBER26.stm

Bill_McCurdy

09-27-2004, 05:48 AM

September 27, 1953: The Lost Hurrah. The St. Louis Browns play both their last game in Sportsman's Park and the last game in the franchise's 52-year history. Fitting their established lore, the Browns lose, 2-1, to Billy Pierce and the Chicago White Sox in 10 innings for their 100th defeat of the season. In the process, reserve first baseman Ed Mickelson drives in Johnny Groth in the 4th inning for the last run and RBI in Browns franchise history. - What follows is the modest parody I wrote about this flicker of life in active Browns play.

The Lost Hurrah: September 27, 1953
Chicago White Sox 2 - St. Louis Browns 1.

(A respectful parody of "Casey At The Bat" by Ernest L. Thayer in application to the last game ever played by our beloved Browns.)

by Bill McCurdy (1997)

The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Brownie nine that day;
They were moving from St. Louis - to a place quite far away,
And all because Bill Veeck had said, "I can't afford to stay,"
The team was playing their last game - in that fabled Brownie way.

With hopes of winning buried deep - beneath all known dismay,
The Brownies ate their cellar fate, but still charged out to play.
In aim to halt a last hard loss - in a season dead since May,
They sent Pillette out to the mound - to speak their final say.

The White Sox were that last dance foe - at the former Sportsman's Park,
And our pitcher pulsed the pallor of those few fans in the dark.
To the dank and empty stands they came, - one final, futile time,
To witness their dear Brownies reach - ignominy sublime.

When Mickelson then knocked in Groth - for the first run of the game,
It was to be the last Browns score, - from here to kingdom came.
And all the hopes that fanned once more, - in that third inning spree,
Were briefly blowing in the wind, - but lost eternally.

For over seven innings then, - Dee bleached the White Sox out,
And the Browns were up by one to oh, - when Rivera launched his clout.
That homer tied the score at one, - and then the game ran on.
Until eleven innings played, - the franchise was not gone.

But Minnie's double won the game - for the lefty, Billy Pierce,
And Dee picked up the last Browns loss; - one hundred times is fierce!
And when Jim Dyck flew out to end - the Browns' last time at bat,
The SL Browns were here no more, and that was that, - was that!

Oh, somewhere in this favored land, the sun is shining bright;
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light;
And somewhere men are laughing, - and little children shout,
But there's no joy in Sislerville, - the Brownies have pulled out. :(

Other things happened on this day in Browns history, but I will have to cover them later when I have more time. My first attempt to post this date in Browns history resulted in an electronic abortion that cost me about 45-60 minutes of work. Pretty appropriate outcome for an old Brownie fan (and there's that oxymoron again) eh? - Work hard and have it all result in nothing!?!

Nothing like starting off Monday as an oxymoron! :grouchy

... Much later, we shall try to add what got bleeped yesterday by the electronic gremlins ... :grouchy

September 27, 1944: Browns Argue Selves Into Hole. The St. Louis Browns give the American League lead back to the Detroit Tigers by insisting on playing the Boston Red Sox in the rain under the arcs - and then losing, 4-1. The Red Sox are hapy for the relief. The Sox ended a 10-game losing streak with their victory.

September 27, 1928: "There's No Place Like Home!" - Dorothy Manush. At St. Louis, Bump Hadley pitches the Washington Senators to a 6–5 win over the St. Louis Browns. Goslin, leading the American League in hitting, is 2 for 4, while his rival, Heinie Manush of the Browns, has one hit, a 3-run home run in the Browns 5-run 9th. Manush has 13 homers this year, all at home. Goslin will go on to edge Manush for the batting average title by the slim margin of .379 to .378.

... a Heinie Manush Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/M/Manush_Heinie.stm

September 27, 1921: Shocker Shocks Yankees. The St. Louis Browns' Urban Shocker stops the Yankees, 2–0, racking up his 5th win in nine decisions against New York this year. It is Shocker's 27th win of the year and the kind of success that isn't lost upon his vanquished foes. As Shocker continues to thrive over the years, the Yankees stop him in a way that works well often for them over the years. During the 1924-25 off-season, New York will unload a bunch of lesser lights on the Browns in a trade for Shocker. :(

September 27, 1915: Sisler in No-Decision Mound Start. St. Louis Browns first baseman George Sisler makes his second pitching start this month. He gets no decision, despite giving up four runs in seven innings. The Boston Red Sox beat St. Louis, 8–4.

September 27, 1904: Much Adieu About Nothing. In a home start, Willie Sudhoff of the St. Louis Browns squares off against Chief Bender of the Philadelphia Athletics. The two men carry their teams through ten full innings without either club drawing blood. The game ends in a 0-0 tie due to darkness,

... a Willie Sudhoff link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/S/Sudhoff_Willie.stm

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/SEPTEMBER27.stm

Bill_McCurdy

09-28-2004, 06:29 AM

September 28, 1947: Dizzy Dean Pitches for Browns. On the season's last day, the St. Louis Browns, desperate for a ticket seller, bring announcer Dizzy Dean in to pitch against the Chicago White Sox. Diz gives up only 3 hits in 4 innings and laces a clean single in his only at bat. Unfortunately, a pulled leg muscle forces his early retirement. The White Sox score all their runs in the 9th to win 5-2. Even with Diz pitching, the game draws less than 16,000, and the Browns finish the year with only 320,000 attendance, less than half that of 1946. Three days before the finale, a Browns' game drew only 350. (I refer you to the quote from Ned Garver that I use as my posting tag line on this forum. Things didn't get better at the turnstiles when Garver came along. Any sudden bump up in Brownie attendance during the early '50s proved to be little more than what the stock market calls a dead cat bounce.)

September 28, 1935: Browns Swept Into Off-Season. The Cleveland Indians sweep the St. Louis Browns with Joe Vosmik (.350) going 1 for 7 at the day's end. He still leads Buddy Myers by two points.

September 28, 1928: Crowder Crows. At St. Louis, Browns pitcher Alvin Crowder beats his former teammates, the Washington Senators, by a 4–3 count. Crowder finishes the season with the American League's best record, 21 wins against only 5 losses. Crowder will later return to Washington and win 50 games in two years for the "Nats."

... an Alvin Crowder link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/C/Crowder_General.stm

September 28, 1912: Foul Play. A scant few hundred fans see what some contemporaries called the worst game in American League history as the New York Highlanders trounce the St. Louis Browns, 18–12. The teams accumulate 29 hits, 20 walks, and 12 errors. New York scores in each of seven innings, stealing a record 15 bases - 7 pilfers off catcher Jim Stephens in two innings, followed by eight thefts off Nig Clarke. Hal Chase and Birdie Cree lead the thieves with four steals each. Five Highlanders runners are thrown out.

September 28, 1903: Red Sox Blank Browns. The Boston Red Sox blank the St. Louis Browns, 6-0, for their 20th shutout of the year.

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/SEPTEMBER28.stm

westsidegrounds

09-28-2004, 04:50 PM

[QUOTE=Bill_McCurdy][B
[B]September 28, 1912: Foul Play. A scant few hundred fans see what some contemporaries called the worst game in American League history as the New York Highlanders trounce the St. Louis Browns, 18–12. The teams accumulate 29 hits, 20 walks, and 12 errors. New York scores in each of seven innings, stealing a record 15 bases - 7 pilfers off catcher Jim Stephens in two innings, followed by eight thefts off Nig Clarke. Hal Chase and Birdie Cree lead the thieves with four steals each. Five Highlanders runners are thrown out.
/QUOTE]

This was a battle (?) between two teams who finished the season with records of 53-101 (the Brownies, yay!) and 50-102 (John McGraw probably enjoyed reading the AL final standings that year).

It was not unknown in those days for two teams, playing for nothing at the end of a season, to "have some fun" with the Grand Old Game ... kinda suspect this may have been what was going on here.

Different times!

Bill_McCurdy

09-29-2004, 05:28 AM

September 29, 1953: Last Season Ends; Veeck Sells Out. A Baltimore syndicate headed by Baltimore Mayor Tom D'Alesandro buys Bill Veeck's interest in the St. Louis Browns for $ 2,475,000. (Yes, that's 2.475 million only. This was 1953. Today you couldn't buy a lousy middle relief pitcher for that kind of money.) Eager to see him gone, the American League quickly approves the shift of the St. Louis Browns franchise to Baltimore - without Bill Veeck. :evil

September 29, 1902: First Season Ends; Hope Checks In. The American Season ends with the Philadelphia Athletics winning the pennant, but by only five games over the future-hopeful St. Louis Browns. :) Philadelphia's Socks Seybold hits 16 home runs in 1902 for the highest season total to lead the American League until a fellow named Babe Ruth comes along and slams an incredible 29 homers in 1919. :atthepc

Bill_McCurdy

09-30-2004, 06:15 AM

September 30, 1951: Garver Wins 20th for Last Place Browns. Preceding the St. Louis Browns' season closer, the Harlem Globetrotters defeat a team led by baseball clown Max Patkin. The basketball game is played on a wooden court set up behind third base. Then St. Louis ace Ned Garver cops his 20th game of the season, defeating the Chicago White Sox, 9–5. Garver (20-12) becomes the only player ever to win 20 for a last place team that loses 100 games, as the Browns win just 32 other times. The '51 Browns finish the American League season in the 8th and last place slot with a record of 52-102 and a full 46 games behind the champion New York Yankees. Garver's achievement gives rise to the story of what happens to him when he later asks Browns owner Bill Veeck for a raise prior to the '52 season because of his 20-win season. Veeck will turn Garver down with this explanation: "We could've finished last without you." :eek:

... a Max Patkin link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/P/Patkin_Max.stm

... a Ned Garver link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/P/Patkin_Max.stm

September 30, 1944: Browns & Tigers in Dead Heat. The St. Louis Browns remain tied with the Detroit Tigers for first place in the American League as Dennis Galehouse goes all the way, winning, 2-0, for his 9th victory of the year. In spite of the down-to-the-wire pennant race, paid attendance at Sportsman's Park today is 12,982.

September 30, 1928: Goslin Edges Browns' Manush for AL Batting Title. In the Washington Senators' 9–1 win over the St. Louis Browns on this last day of the season, Washington outfielder Goose Goslin, for the 3rd day in a row, gets two hits, one a 9th inning looping single, to edge the Browns outfielder Heinie Manush, .379 to .378. It is Goose's only batting title in his 18-year career. Senator ace Sam Jones volunteers to pitch to stop Manush, while Blaeholder tries the same for St. Louis. Blaeholder gets Goslin in his first two at bats, but Goose then hits a 5th inning home run.

September 30, 1922: Gloom & Doom in Sislerville. The New York Yankees clinch their 2nd pennant by beating the Boston Red Sox, 3–1, behind Waite Hoyt and Joe Bush. The New York victory over Boston ends the hopes of the Browns hope for a 1st pennant. The '22 Browns will finish 1 game behind the champion Yankees. (Oh well, if the Browns can take the American League in '23 & '24, they will be tied with the Yankees with 2 pennants each.) :laugh

September 30, 1915: Browns Help Red Sox. The Boston Red Sox clinch the American League pennant as St. Louis beats Detroit, giving Boston a 2.5 game margin. The World Series is now set for another Boston-Philadelphia matchup, but with the leagues reversed. In the 1914 World Series, the Boston Braves played the Philadelphia Athletics. This year it will be the Boston Red Sox versus the Philadelphia Phillies.

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

Bill_McCurdy

10-01-2004, 05:10 AM

October 1, 1953: Too Late Now To Matter. Bill Veeck resigns today as President of the St. Louis Browns. With the sale of his interests in the club to Baltimore interests and the approved moove of te franchise to that Maryland city, Veeck's actions today are heavily anti-climactic. :(

October 1, 1950: Zernial Bangs 4 HRs on Last Day Against Browns. Gus Zernial of the Chicago White Sox hit one homer in a 4-3 first game win over the visiting St. Louis Browns. He adds three more long balls in the nightcap, a 10-6 loss, to tie an American League record for a twin bill and set a club record with 29 homers, 10 of which came against St. Louis. Zeke Bonura held the Sox homer record with 27, set in 1934, and tied by Joe Kuhel in 1940.

October 1, 1944: Browns Win Only Pennant On Final Day! It finally has happened. The Browns win the pennant! What day! The St. Louis Browns celebrate their first sellout crowd in 20 years by bringing home the American League bacon. In full view of the 37,815 fans who pack Sportsman's Park on this day of rare beauty, St. Louis clinches the long-coveted AL flag on the final day of the season by sweeping the New York Yankees and winning today's game by a count of 5-2. The Browns are paced by a pair of 2-run homers by outfielder Chet Laabs. The little used and hard-drinking character known as Sig Jakucki is the winning pitcher on a day when steady results were needed. When it counted in 1944, Jakucki came through with the goods. Sadly, Sig's drinking will win the long game, forcing him out of baseball in 1945.

... a Sig Jakucki link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/J/Jakucki_Sig.stm

October 1, 1921: Browns Finishing Strong. On the road, the St. Louis Browns beat the Detroit Tigers, 11–6, in 11 innings of their next to final game of the season. Detroit is without Ty Cobb, who was suspended for an over-the-top argument with an umpire a week ago in Washington (though Detroit has not played since the 26th). Detroit's Harry Heilmann is 0 for 5 and down to .396. He'll go 1 for 4 tomorrow, but will lead the American League in hitting with a .394 average.

October 1, 1920: Indicted Black Sox Fall To Browns. In their first game following the indictment of eight players for fixing the 1919 World Series, the Chicago White Sox lose to St. Louis, 8-6, while the Cleveland Indians split a pair with the Detroit Tigers. Chicago trails Cleveland by 2 games with 2 games left to play.

October 1, 1916: Sandlot Time For Two Unserious Teams. In a 6–3 win over the Detroit Tigers, the St. Louis Browns steal eight bases for a total of 234 steals, an American League season record until the 1976 Oakland Athletics swipe 341. Detroit adds seven steals of its own for a combined team total of 15 steals, tying the American League record for two clubs that the New York Highlanders set by themselves on September 28, 1911. :dance

Today's General Reference Link ...http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

Bill_McCurdy

10-02-2004, 05:16 AM

October 2, 1949: "It's A Travestmockery!" In a promotional stunt that (ahem!) seems to place pumping the gate ahead of the integrity of the game, the St. Louis Browns use a different pitcher in each of their 9 innings of play against the Detroit Tigers. Detroit wins 4-3. ;)

October 2, 1943: Browns Drop Pair to NY. The New York Yankees take two from the St. Louis Browns, 5-1 and 7-6, for their 14th sweep of a doubleheader, an American League mark. Bud Metheny hits a home run in the opener for only the Yankees' 100th roundtripper of the season. :hp

October 2, 1938: Bobo Newsom Wins 20th. Bobo Newsom wins his 20th game for the 7th place St. Louis Browns. Sadly, our source saw no value in reporting the score of the game or which team was the opposition. :ughh

... a Bobo Newsom link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/N/Newsom_Bobo.stm

October 2, 1920: Kerr Beats Browns, But White Sox Lose Pennant Chase. Little Dickie Kerr of the Chicago White Sox beats the St. Louis Browns, 10-7, but the Cleveland Indians also win, 10-1, to clinch the American League pennant.

Today's General Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today.stm

westsidegrounds

10-02-2004, 02:13 PM

[B]October 2, 1938: Bobo Newsom Wins 20th. Bobo Newsom wins his 20th game for the 7th place St. Louis Browns. ]

4-3 over the Sox at Comiskey.

Bill_McCurdy

10-03-2004, 05:54 AM

October 3, 1944: Street Car Series Starts Tomorrow! The Mound City is a abuzz over the start of the All-St. Louis World Series tomorrow afternoon at Sportsman's Park. The National League Cardinals will be the home team in Games 1 and 2. The American League Browns will be the home club in Games 3, 4, & 5 (if there is one). :rolleyes: Should the series go the distance, the Cards will take the home team advantage in Games 6 & 7.

Mort Cooper (22-7, 2.46) gets the call tomorrow as the Cardinals' opening game starter. In an apparent undermatch, Denny Galehouse (9-10, 3.12) will go for the Browns. Yes, those who cannot get tickets will be able to hear all games on the radio.
:radio

October 3, 1929: His "Cousin" Is a General. At St. Louis, the Browns General Crowder tops the Indians, 3–2, in 10 innings. Accounting for the Indians scoring is Earl Averill's 2-run home run, his 18th of the year and his 5th off "The General." Only George Kelly's six homers off Vic Aldridge in 1923 (and later on, Ted Williams in 1941, off Johnny Rigney, and Ted Kluszewski in 1954, off Max Surkont) will top Earl's 5, according to homer historian Dave Vincent.

October 3, 1920: Sisler's # 257 Sets Season Hit Record. In the St. Louis Browns' 16-7 win over the Chicago White Sox, George Sisler gets his 257th hit of the season to set a major league record. He also hurls a scoreless 9th inning in relief, becoming the only player in baseball history to set a new season hit total and also to pitch in the record-setting game. :rolleyes: - Sisler's new record will last a very long time, and way beyond the days of the 154-game season schedule. It will fall in 2004, only two days short of lasting for a full 84 years. Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners will break Sisler's record in Game 160 of a 162 game schedule in 2004.

October 3, 1908: Browns Blanked. The Detroit Tigers roll to their 10th straight win when Wild Bill Donovan shuts out the St. Louis Browns, 6–0, while the Cleveland Naps lose, 3–2, to the Chicago White Sox. Detroit leads the American League by 1.5 games.

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/OCTOBER3.stm

Bill_McCurdy

10-04-2004, 05:20 AM

October 4, 1944: McQuinn's HR Paces Browns By Cards In Game 1 of WS! The first all St. Louis World Seris opens with the Browns beating the Cardinals, 2-1, on George McQuinn's 2-run home run. Denny Galehouse is the winning pitcher. Mort Cooper is the loser for the Cardinals in spite of a stellar pitching performance. McQuinn's homer was only one of two hits the Browns managed all day. Galehouse scatters 7 Cardinal hits and goes the distance for the victorious American Leaguers. It is the first World Series in which all the games are played west of the Mississippi River. The Series is dubbed the Streetcar Series and is played with no days off.

October 4, 1925: More Fun On Last Day For "Also-Rans": Harry Heilmann of the Tigers bangs out six hits in Detroit's doubleheader sweep of the St. Louis Browns, 10–4 and 11–6, to edge out teammate Ty Cobb for the batting crown, .393 to .389. Cobb bats over .300 for the 20th time. In the second game, the final game of the season, managers George Sisler of the Browns and Ty Cobb of the Tigers both pitch in relief in for the two clubs, won by Detroit 11–6. Cobb is perfect in his one inning, while Sisler holds the Tigers scoreless in two.

October 4, 1923: The King of Doubles. Cleveland's Tris Speaker connects against St. Louis the Browns for his 57th double of the season as the visiting Tribe win, 5–1. Speaker's final total of 59 is a record that will be beaten in 1931 by Earl Webb (67), but his career-high 793 (later revised down to 792) is still tops in big league history.

October 4, 1912: Tribe in Train Wreck on Way To Play Browns. After playing an exhibition game in Ray Chapman's hometown of Herrin, Illinois, the Cleveland Naps board a train for the season finale in St. Louis against the Browns. The train is involved in an accident near Southwick, Missouri, and, while no players are injured, the engineer is killed. No report is available on how the train wreck effected the playing of the season's last game. My guess is that the clubs went ahead and played the scheduled game, but I don't know that for a fact. Anyone with any information on this incident is encouraged to post forth on this thread.

October 4, 1908: Ump's Call Results in Tie Game. In a next-to-last-day game at St. Louis, the Cleveland Naps are forced to settle with a frustrating 3–3 tie with the St. Louis Browns. The outcome is sealed when umpire Jack Egan makes a controversial out call against the Naps at first base. Most observers thought that Bill Hinchman of the Naps beat the 9th inning throw, but umpire Egan's call results in a tie game.

(Where are you when we really need you, Post-Dispatch?) :lookitup

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/OCTOBER4.stm

westsidegrounds

10-04-2004, 01:28 PM

[B]
[B]
[B]October 4, 1908: Ump's Call Results in Tie Game. In a closing game at St. Louis, the Cleveland Naps are forced to settle with a frustrating 3–3 tie with the St. Louis Browns. The outcome is sealed when umpire Jack Egan makes a controversial out call against the Naps at first base. Most observers thought that Bill Hinchman of the Naps beat the 9th inning throw, but umpire Egan's call results in a tie game.

OK, now this one smells bad.

The Browns finished the 1908 season in 4th place, a not-at-all-terrible 6 1/2 games out, that's all right, BUT

Detroit won the pennant with a record of 90-63.

Cleveland finished second. 90-64. 1/2 game back.

Ya gotta wonder.

Bill_McCurdy

10-05-2004, 04:59 AM

OK, now this one smells bad.

The Browns finished the 1908 season in 4th place, a not-at-all-terrible 6 1/2 games out, that's all right, BUT

Detroit won the pennant with a record of 90-63.

Cleveland finished second. 90-64. 1/2 game back.

Ya gotta wonder.

... Westsidegrounds

Couldn't agree more, WSG, but I made an error in yesterday's report that I have since corrected in the October 4th post for the sake of those who may read this later. This game was not the last game of the season, as I originally reported. I assumed wrongly that it was the last game because of the October date. My apologies for the error. As you will find from reading the Oct. 5th entries, the Browns and Naps made up for this no-decision on Oct. 4th by playing a doubleheader on Oct. 5th, the real last day of the scheduled season. We still can't tell from the limited data provided by Baseball Library.Com if the second game of this Oct. 5th DH is actually a totally new game - or simply a resumption of the Oct. 4th tie. No matter, as you shall also see on the Oct. 5th post, the Oct. 4th controversy probably did cost Cleveland the 1908 pennant. Instead of getting a win on Oct. 4th, the Indians had to play a DH with the Browns the following day.

Bill_McCurdy

10-05-2004, 05:44 AM

October 5, 1944: Cards Win, 3-2, in 11; Series Tied with Browns, 1-1. The Streetcar Series is heating up. Nels Potter (19-7, 2.83) started for the Browns against Max Lanier (17-12, 2.65) for the Cards, but neither figured in the final decision. Blix Donnelly (2-1, 2.12) took over for the Cards in the 8th with the scored tied, 2-2. In four innings of pitching, Donnelly struck out 7 Browns and allowed only 3 balls to be hit out of the infield. The Cardinals won in the 11th on a pinch hit single by Ken O'Dea with two runners on. Ray Sanders scores the winning run for the Cards. The Browns hurt themselves early today. Two errors by Potter and one by Mark Christman gave the Cards 2, early-inning, unearned runs. Donnelly picked up the deserved win. Bob Muncrief (13-8. 3.08), who hurled the last 4.1 innings for the Browns, took the loss. With the Series now even at a game each, action continues tomorrow with the Browns now assuming the role of home team at the same old Sportsman's Park against the "visiting" Cardinals.

October 5, 1911: When The Pendulum of Power Was "All Owners." Players from the St. Louis Browns and all other big league clubs got another reminder today of who runs things in their labor-management relationship with the owners. Baseball's National Commission first sells the motion picture rights to the World Series for $3,500. When the players demand a share of it, the Commission simply cancels the deal. I guess the owners figured that it was another "all or nothing deal" opportunity to show the players that their rights to demand anything were non-existent. - "Ain't" greed grand! :crazy

October 5, 1908: Fallout From Yesterday's Tie: Browns Hurt Cleveland Pennant Hopes. With a game to make up after yesterday's controversial 3-3 tie, the St. Louis Browns host the Cleveland Naps in a doubleheader. The Browns end the Naps' pennant hopes with a 3–1 win in the opener. Cleveland takes the 2nd game, 5–3, to end the season with a 90–64 record. If the Tigers win tomorrow, their 90–63 will top Cleveland, whereas if the White Sox win, their 89-63 record will be four points ahead of the Naps. Based on these newly discovered facts (as of this morning), it looks as though that game the Naps "lost" to a controversial tie yesterday may have cost them the pennant.

Note: I'm stung by the danger of assumption-error here. Our source does not tell us if the second game that Cleveland won today by a 5-3 score was the result of a new full game - or merely a resumption of that 3-3 tie that ended in controversy yesterday. :confused:

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/OCTOBER5.stm

westsidegrounds

10-05-2004, 01:43 PM

I guess the likeliest interpretation would be that one of the doubleheader games was the makeup game for the tie ... they wouldn't have had a DH for the last day of the season on the regular schedule, would they?

I did find that in 1908 Nap Lajoie himself lead the AL in games played, with 157 - so it looks as if the Naps had more than their share of ties that year... apparently The Curse Of Rocky Colavito extends back in time too.

Bill_McCurdy

10-06-2004, 05:06 AM

October 6, 1944: Browns Take 2-1 Lead in World Series. The St. Louis Browns take a 2-1 game lead in the World Series with a 6-2 victory for Jack Kramer, who fans 10. Five singles, a walk, and a wild pitch by Cardinal reliever Fred Schmidt give the Browns 4 runs in the 3rd. Cardinal starter Ted Wilks (17-4, 2.65) takes the loss after going only 2.2 innings deep into the game. Kramer (17-13, 2.49) goes the distance for the Browns, giving up 2 runs and 7 scattered hits on the day.

October 6, 1907: This Could Be The Start of Something Big! ;) On the last day of the season, the St. Louis Browns pound the Detroit Tigers twice, winning 10–4 and 10–3. What's with all these last day doubleheaders? My guess is that clubs used them to make up earlier season games that had been rained out or suspended by darkness. :atthepc

October 6, 1905: Lowly Browns Help A's Win Pennant. The Philadelphia Athletics clinch the American League pennant while losing to the Washington Nationals because the last place St. Louis Browns defeat the 2nd place Chicago White Sox, taking them out of mathematical possibility. Elmer Flick of the Cleveland Naps leads the American League in batting with a .306 mark.

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/OCTOBER6.stm

Bill_McCurdy

10-07-2004, 05:28 AM

October 7, 1953: "The Quality of Mercy Is Not Strained. It Dropeth As The Gentle Rain From Heaven (... from the hearts of Brownie fans). Bill Veeck tells fans and stockholders that he faces bankruptcy unless they drop their suit to block the move of the Browns to Baltimore. With the compassion that only St. Louisans seem able to muster for those suffering the sting of baseball-related adversity, stockholders will drop their suit against Veeck and reluctantly allow the Browns to ride off into the sunset of history. They won't actually ride off into the sunset. Such a course would take the Browns west to Los Angeles or other such places which are much too far away to ever support big league baseball. No, the merciful reaction of St. Louisans to a pleading Veeck is the last door latch unfastened for the Browns' ride off into the sunrise and their 1954 metamorphosis into the Baltimore (Ugh!) Orioles. :(

October 7, 1944: Cards "Cat-Claw" Browns. WS Even at 2-2. The St. Louis Cardinals even the World Series with a 5-1 win by lefty Harry ""The Cat" Brecheen (16-5, 2.85). Brecheen goes the distance, scattering 9 hits and stranding 10. Sig Jackuki (13-9, 3.55) goes only 3 innings as the Browns starting and losing pitcher. Stan Musial's 3 hits pace the Cardinals to an early 5-0 lead. The Browns mount their only threat of the day in the 8th, but it is cut short by a spectacular double play started by legendary Cardinal shortstop Marty Marion. Game 5 is scheduled to be played tomorrow. :atthepc

Today's General Baseball Reference ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/OCTOBER7.stm

Bill_McCurdy

10-08-2004, 05:32 AM

October 8, 1944: Cards Down Browns in Game 5; Take 3-2 Lead in Series. It's a pretty fair strikout pitching duel today between Mort Cooper (22-7, 2.46) of the Cardinals and Denny Galehouse (9-10, 3.12) of the Browns. Cooper fans 12 on the day; Denny Galehouse registers 10 "K"s. In the end, the Cards win 3-0 on the backs of homers by Ray Sanders and Danny Litwhiler to take a 3-2 lead in games. Game 6 is a go for tomorrow with the Browns hoping to pull even. The Cardinals can end it all with another win.

GO BROWNS! BEAT THE CARDS IN GAME 6! :clapping ;) :clapping

Today's General Reference ... MacMillan's Baseball Encyclopedia.

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/OCTOBER8.stm

Hmmm. As you may have noticed, or should have expected, the deeper we go into October, the harder it is to find baseball facts of the day for any club, but probably even more so for our guys. I will continue to post daily facts as they uncover - and maybe even "cheat" a little sometimes by writing a short piece or string of general facts that could be of interest to Browns fans on days when there is nothing else to include. Can't promise you to always have something, but I will try. The rest of you are invited to join in too. :atthepc

Bill_McCurdy

10-09-2004, 06:24 AM

October 9, 1951: Veeck Hires Hornsby To Manage Browns. In New York, St. Louis Browns owner Bill Veeck, Jr. hires Rogers Hornsby to a three-year contract to manage the Browns. "The Rajah," who last managed in the majors in 1937 as skipper of the Browns, was fired by Bill Veeck, Sr. in 1932 when Hornsby managed the Cubs. Hornsby chooses the Browns offer over a similar one by the Cardinals, who just let Marty Marion go as manager.

October 9, 1944: Cards Win Six-Game Streetcar Series With Browns. Emil Verban drives in 3 runs as the Cardinals top the Browns, 3-1, winning the World Series, 4 games to 2. Ted Wilks (13-4, 2.65) is the pitching hero for the Cards when he enters the game in the 6th with the Cards leading, 3-1, one out on the Browns, and Brownie runners at 2nd and 3rd. Wilks not only pitches out of the inning, he retires all 11 batters he faces, including strike outs of 4 pinch hitters, to get one of the most deserved saves in World Series history. Cards starter Max Lanier (17-12, 2.65) gets the win. Browns starter Nels Potter (19-7, 2.83) takes the loss. George McQuinn of the losing Browns (Is that an oxymoron?) hits .438 for the Series. The winning Cardinals get a whopping $4,626 each for their post-season work; the losing Browns* take $2,743, the lowest player shares since 1933.

* Wait a minute! An oxymoron is nothing more than a stated exercise in logical incongruity. What we have here is little more than a solid example of expressed practical redundancy!

October 9, 1910: You Get No "Assists" for Cheating, Mr. O'Connor! The battle for the American League batting title is decided on the final day, when Detroit's Ty Cobb edges Cleveland's Napoleon Lajoie, .3850687 to .3840947. Neither man covers himself with Hall of Fame level glory. Lajoie goes 8 for 8 in a doubleheader with the St. Louis Browns, accepting six "gift" hits on bunt singles when Browns rookie 3rd baseman Red Corriden is apparently purposely stationed by Manager O'Connor at the edge of the outfield grass. The prejudiced St. Louis scorer also credits the popular Nap Lajoie with a "hit" on the Brownie shortstop Bobby Wallace's wild throw to first base. In Lajoie's last at bat, he is safe at first on an error call, but is credited with a sacrifice bunt since a man was on base at the time. The St. Louis Post is just one of the papers to be openly critical of the move against Cobb. "All St. Louis is up in arms over the deplorable spectacle, conceived in stupidity and executed in jealousy." The Browns win the opener, 5–4, and Cleveland takes the nitecap, 3–0, with both managers, Jack O'Connor and Deacon McGuire catching. O'Connor is behind the plate for just an inning, but Maguire goes all the way.

Cobb, meanwhile, rather than risk his average, sits out the last two games, the Tigers beating the White Sox in the finale, 2–1. Ban Johnson investigates and clears everyone concerned, enabling Ty Cobb to win the 3rd of nine straight batting crowns. The embarrassed Chalmers Auto Company awards cars to both Ty and Nap. In 1981 The Sporting News uncovers an error -crediting a 2 for 3 game twice to Cobb—that, if corrected, would give the championship to Nap Lajoie. But the commissioner's committee votes unanimously to leave history unchanged. :eek:

Does that ruling to ignore the error of history make sense? Of course, it does. It's a ruling by the Commissioner of Baseball and his special committee - and this group assumes all of the impeccable power of a Pope in consultation with his College of Cardinals in 1981. The difference in 2004 is that now the "College of Cardinals" is comprised of owners with much more power to overrule, or summarily fire the Pope, any time he does something they really don't like. - Or so it seems.

... a Red Corriden link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/C/Corriden_Red.stm

... a Bobby Wallace link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/W/Wallace_Bobby.stm

... a Jack O'Connor link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/W/Wallace_Bobby.stm

General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/OCTOBER9.stm

westsidegrounds

10-09-2004, 03:14 PM

[B]

[B]October 9, 1910: . Ban Johnson investigates and clears everyone concerned,

O'Connor never managed again, although his 47-107 record that year may have had something to do with that.

Bill_McCurdy

10-10-2004, 04:53 AM

(Regarding Browns Manager Jack O'Connor and the shenanigans detailed in our "fact of the day" for 10/09/1910.) O'Connor never managed again, although his 47-107 record that year may have had something to do with that. - Westsidegrounds

You're right, WSG! On October 15, 1910, St. Louis manager Jack O'Connor was fired by St. Louis Browns president Hedges for his role in the Lajoie-Cobb batting title travesty. Coach Harry Howell was also fired for allegedly delivering an offer to the official scorer E.V. Parrish to change his error call to a hit. O'Connor never worked in baseball again after that fatal day he chose to help Lajoie and hurt Cobb by messing with the integrity of the game. If memory serves, and I will have to research this assertion as a double-check, O'Connor and Howell were both effectively banned from the game for their roles in this embarrassing moment in baseball history.

October 10th: Fact To Be Added Later. At this writing, we don't have a ready known fact about anything of note that happened on this date in the history of the St. Louis Browns, but this is where it will be edited-in, should one later come to light. For now, we must sadly, but incompletely assume that - on this date in Browns history - nothing happened. In light of that 1910 Nap Lajoie boondoggle, we know implicitly that much was happening behind closed doors on October 10, 1910 in reaction to the actions of manager O'Connor and coach Howell. What I wouldn't give to have a transcript of what those ancient ownership walls could tell us. - At any rate, while we're holding this space in our time-line for some fact(s) that may come to light later, here's a little profile about one of the most fabled players in the club's early history:

A Brownie Profile of The Day: Ken Williams. The Brownie left fielder (1918-1927) in one of the greatest outfields in baseball history, double-threat Ken Williams was ahead of his time. In 1922 he became the first man to collect 30 homers and 30 stolen bases in the same season, a feat not equaled for 34 years. Despite a late start (he wasn't a regular in the majors until he was 30 years old), Williams slugged 196 homers and batted .319, while leading the American League in slugging, total bases, homers, RBI, and extra-base hits at various times in his career. An aggressive player with few friends outside his own team, Williams earned the distinction of being Ty Cobb's most hated opponent. To be hated by Cobb, Ken Williams had to be doing a lot things right as a worthy opponent. :atthepc

... a Ken Williams reference link ... http://www.thebaseballpage.com/past/pp/williamsken/

Bill_McCurdy

10-11-2004, 05:11 AM

October 11, 1926: Sisler Out As Manager. On the heels of a 7th place finish and his 62-92 record in 1926, the St. Louis Browns announce that George Sisler will be back as a player, but not as manager, in 1927. Sisler will be replaced as manager by Dan Howley. - During his three year tenure as the playing manager, Sisler didn't do too bad by Brownie standards. In 1924, Sisler led the Browns to a 74-78 record that was good enough for a 4th place, 1st division finish. In 1925, the Sisler-led Browns broke .500 and finished 3rd in the American League with an 82-71 record. - How well will Dan Howley do in Sisler's place? Howley will lead the '27 Browns to a 59-94 mark and a familiar 7th place finish.

Sisler Note: Perhaps it was coincidental, but the famous defensive skills of George Sisler were severely tested during the three years of his 1924-1926 period as manager of the Browns. During his first two seasons at the helm, George Sisler led American League first sackers in the commitment of errors.

:lookitup

Today's Reference Link ...http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/OCTOBER11.stm

Bill_McCurdy

10-12-2004, 06:48 AM

October 12th (1902-1953): Nothing jumps easily off the page for this date in history. It is now the season of the World Series - a time of year which, except for 1944, customarily found the St. Louis Browns dispersing to snooze and booze away the winter months at home. :p We may discover something for this date later. If and when that happens, a fact for this date in St. Louis Browns history will be added here - as it is discovered via the internet, the library, the bookstore, a research expedition to the hinterlands, or rescue from its hiding place in some long ago forgotten attic trunk. :atthepc

Til then, here's a profile from Browns history.

Oh Baby Doll! At Mobile (Southern League) in 1912, the grandstand band played "Oh, You Beautiful Doll" after Jacobson's Opening Day homer, and the next day's paper captioned his photo, "Baby Doll." After a decade in the minors, he spent 1917 in the majors, served a year in the military, and returned as a Browns' regular at 28. The best of Jacobson's ML career was contained in seven straight years over .300 (1919-25), five of them with Ken Williams and Jack Tobin flanking him in the Browns' best-remembered outfield. A burly righthander who swung a light bat, he hit well for average, if not for power. For all his heft (at 6'3" and 215-lb, he was the league's biggest man), he was also a capable fielder. At one time he held 13 fielding marks; his 484 putouts in 1924 stood as a record for 24 years. In 1927 he played seven consecutive games for the Red Sox without a putout or assist.

Today's Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/J/Jacobson_Baby_Doll.stm

Bill_McCurdy

10-13-2004, 05:49 AM

October 13, 2004: Mike Blyzka Died Today. This news only reached me on 11/14/04 by e-mail from Erv Fischer. I'm adding notice here in respect for a fine man who valued his time with the franchise - even to the extent of continuing to come to the annual Brownie Round Ups in St. Louis from his home in Cheyenne, Wyoming in spite of failing health and limited mobility.

Former righthanded Browns pitcher Mike Blyzka died today In Cheyenne, Wyoming at the age of 75. Had he lived, he would've been 76 this coming Christmas Day.

Blyzka's short time in the big leagues (1953-54) gained him two distictions. He was both a member of the last Browns club - and also one of the original Baltimore Orioles. His record of 3-11 with a 5.58 E.R.A. was nothing short of unspectacular, but this is one of those times when stats do not speak for the man.

Mike Blyzka was a quiet and kind man who loved baseball - a man who was simply grateful for the opportunity of having made it to the big leagues at all. For years, he was a regular attendee of the annual May reunions of former Browns in St. Louis - and he came each time I knew him in spite of various health issues which limited his ability to get around. He just enjoyed being around baseball people and his family of friends that were the Browns and the fans who still remembered the kid from Hamtramck, Michigan.

God rest your soul, Gentle Mike, and save us a place in Heaven's hotel lobby. We've got other baseball stories to tell and have a fews laughs about. Til then, just know that we members of the Browns Fan Club will miss you.

October 13, 1913: Browns-Cards City Series Ends In Donneybrook! In St. Louis, the City Series between the Browns and the Cardinals ends in a fight. In today's doubleheader, the Cardinals had taken the first game, 5–2. The second game is tied, 1–1, after four innings when a brawl breaks out. Since there had been several other fights in the series, and because the series was played outside the auspices of the National Commission, the umpires announce that they have had it, and retire to the clubhouse. The series ends abruptly at three wins apiece, with one tie. Each Brownie player receives $77.22 for their work in all seven games. No extra pay is awarded for the fight that causes a cancellation of the seventh and undeciding game.

Here's an example of history that easily falls in the cracks without ready access to the records of contemporary St. Louis newspapers. When I wrote yesterday that there was nothing to report for that date, we didn't know that this series was going on. Sounds like the players took their post-season series pretty seriously too. - How does a club get its players to hang around after the season to play an exhibition series that really means nothing to the rest of the world? - I guess that $77.22 payday per player speaks loudly to that point. Makes good sense, doesn't it? The players only had to play seven games to earn those big bucks. That was a whole lot of money back in 1913, Mr. Alex Rodriguez!

:atthepc

Todays' General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/OCTOBER13.stm

Bill_McCurdy

10-14-2004, 06:37 AM

October 14, 1927: Browns Nemesis Johnson Retires. He was a long-time problem for the Browns and every other club in the American League not-named-Senators-or-Nationals, but today that nemesis ended. Walter Johnson of Washington announces his retirement as a player. From here, he will sign a 2-year contract to manage Newark of the International League and he will later return to the majors as a manager for his old club, the Washington Senators.

... a Walter Johnson link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/J/Johnson_Walter.stm

October 14, 1914: Birthday Note. Former Browns and Cardinals pitcher Harry "The Cat" Brecheen is born in Broken Bow, Oklahoma.

October 14, 1908: Browns Ask: "What's The Problem?" After finishing the season in 4th place, and 6.5 games behind the American League champions, the St. Louis Browns shed no tears over the World Series attendance problem in Detroit. Before 6,210 paying fans, the smallest crowd in World Series history, the host Detroit Tigers are tamed on three hits by Orval Overall, who fans 10 in a 2–0 win for the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs win the series in five games, but they haven't repeated as World Champions in 96 years and counting through 2004.

This is interesting, given the apparent availability of space at this game. Upset over seating arrangements at the World Series, sports reporters form a professional group that will become the Baseball Writers Association of America. Too bad the Tigers couldn't have been more flexible and creative by filling in their open areas with sportswriters. Had they done so, they might've nipped the formation of the BBWAA in the bud. :p

Today's General Reference Links ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/cgi-bin/today/today2S.pl

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/OCTOBER14.stm

Bill_McCurdy

10-15-2004, 04:59 AM

October 15, 1910: Browns Fire O'Connor & Howell. St. Louis manager Jack O'Connor is fired today by St. Louis Browns president Hedges for his role in the Lajoie/Cobb batting title travesty. Also fired is coach Harry Howell for allegedly delivering an offer to the official scorer E.V. Parrish to change his error call to a hit that gave Lajoie another "gift" hit on the last day of the season. The two Browns "mentors" had been involved a few days earlier in an obvious collusion to help Nap Lajoie of the Cleveland Indians win the batting title over Ty Cobb of the Detroit Tigers by allowing the former to bunt safely for easy base hits. In the end, O'Connor and Howell are disgraced and driven out of baseball. (See the October 9th post on this thread for the original report on this matter.)

O'Connor was no stranger to the bizarre prior to the Lajoie incident. Back on July 6, 1901, O'Connor was a catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates. When the Pirates and New York Giants protested over the competence of umpire Harry Colgan and threatened to boycott playing a regualr season game, National League president Nick Young acceded to their protest and allowed the Giants and Pirates to officiate their own game in Pittsburgh. New York's Charlie Buelow and Pirate Jack O'Connor called the game, which then was won by the Bucs, 6-2. Based upon what we now know about O'Connor, do you suppose his presence in the game as an umpire may have given his club a slight edge? :eek:

Today's General Reference Link. ...http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/OCTOBER15.stm

Bill_McCurdy

10-16-2004, 06:08 AM

October 16, 1951: Garver Proposes MLB Pay Plan. In a letter written to Major League Baseball officials, pitcher New Garver of the St. Louis Browns offers a pay plan that would ameliorate the ill effects of the reserve system he supports. Garver would have the salaries of players on consistent tail-ender clubs be determined by a rating system developed by the owners. If the club does not match the "average" salary actually given to members of his team, then that player would have the right to be traded to some other club that can afford his services. Garver adds that he "doesn't care where I play, as long as I get a ‘fair' salary."

Garver's plan has as much chance of getting off the ground as a wingless airplane, but we must remember that 1951 was an especially happy, but trying year for Ned Garver. For one thing, he went 20-12 for a last place Browns team that finished with a 52-102 record. Garver was the first pitcher to win 20 games for a last place club, but that point will do him no good in his pursuit of a raise for 1952. A few months after the failure-on-deaf-ears death of Garver's Loser Wage Plan, he will approach Browns owner Bill Veeck about a raise for being a 20-game winner on a last place club. In response, Bill Veeck allegedly declines Garver's raise on the basis of this paraphrased recollection of his logic: "So, Ned, you won 20 games for us, but we still finished last. What good did your wins really do for us? We could've finished last without you." :evil

October 16, 1928: Manush Loses Out on MVP Award. Gordon "Mickey" Cochrane of the Philadelphia Athletics wins the American League MVP honors, edging Heinie Manush of St. Louis Browns by a mere 2 points. Because of the rules in place at that time, neither Babe Ruth nor Lou Gehrig is eligible, having each won that accolade previously. Go figure this one. In 1928, catcher Mickey Cochrane hit .293 for the 2nd place A's, leading the league only in defensive put outs with 645 and errors committed with 25. Outfielder Manush, on the other hand, finishes with a .378 batting average for the surprisingly high 3rd place Browns, and also leads the league with 245 hits and 47 doubles.

Man! Manush bats .378 and falls only 12 hits short of tying George Sisler for the all time season hit total record - and he still loses the MVP vote to a guy who doesn't hit .300 on the year! - Again we musk ask: How did the voters justify picking Cochrane over Manush as the American League's 1928 Most Valuable Player? :eek:

October 16, 1911: Browns Whip Cards; Take City Series. At Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, the Browns whip the Cardinals, 5–1, to sweep the St. Louis City Series with five wins. The first game ended in a scoreless tie. :atthepc

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/OCTOBER16.stm

Bill_McCurdy

10-17-2004, 06:48 AM

October 17, 1953: Wrigley Hires Veeck. Bill Veeck wastes no time getting a new job after selling his interests in the th St. Louis Browns to the group from Baltimore. He becomes a special adviser to Phil Wrigley of the Chicago Cubs. Veeck's return to association with the Cubs takes him back to his roots in baseball. He got his start at Wrigley Field at age 11 doing odd jobs there while his father served as club president.

Veeck's departure from St. Louis will be far from the end of his contributions to baseball lore, although nothing will ever rival the memory of his Eddie Gaedel stunt on August 19, 1951. At any rate, here's a brief recap of Veeck's major quiet and not-so-quiet achievements in baseball. There were others too numerous to mention here:

1937: As a 23 year old groundskeeper at Wrigley Field, Veeck plants ivy at the base of the outfield walls.

1941: As owner of the minor league Milwaukee Brewers, Veeck installs portable outfield walls that can be moved in or out, depending on the power-hitting ability of the opposing team.

1942: Veeck attempts to buy the Philadelphia Phillies. He plans to stock the club with talent from the Negro League. When Commissioner Landis and National League owners learn what Veeck is up to, they block Veeck by buying the troubled franchise until it can be re-sold to another segregationist owner.

1946: Veeck establishes baby-sitting services at the ballpark in Cleveland to encourage greater family attendance.

1947: At Cleveland, Veeck integrates the American League by signing Larry Doby and, later, Satchel Paige to play for the Indians.

1948: The Veeck-built Cleveland Indians win the World Series.

1951: Veeck sends a midget to bat in one game for the Browns. He also stages a night in which the fans are allowed to "sort of" manage the club in St. Louis.

1952: Bill Veeck introduces Bat Day to baseball at Sportsman's Park.

1960: At Comiskey Park, Veeck introduces ballpark fireworks and he also installs the famous exploding scoreboard at old Comiskey.

1976: Veeck stages a bicentennial celebration for Opening Day at Comiskey Park in which he participates as the peg-legged fifer. (Veeck, of course, was one-legged as a result of a World War II injury.) - This same year, Veeck has a shower installed in the bleachers so that fans may cool off during the games. - He also reactivates 54-year old Minnie Minoso so that the aging former star will be able to say that he has played in four different decades.

1979: When the White lose their Opening Day game, 10-2, Veeck gives all the disapponinted fans free admission to their next contest. - That same year, Veeck convinces broadcaster Harry Caray to start singing "Take Me out To The Ballgame" during the 7th inning stretch. (Too bad about that idea.) :eek: - Of course, this also is the year that the White Sox are forced to forfeit a game because of "Disco Night." (Do you recall that one?) Fans are invited to bring their disco records to the ballpark so that they may all be exploded as a mock protest of that musical genre. The fans bring their disco records, allright, but they get beered-up and start throwing them around Comiskey like lethal frisbees. Players and fans alike are put in danger. When order cannot be restored, even under threat of forfeiture by the umpires, that's exactly what happens.

1980: Veeck brings back Minoso in Chicago to play in his fifth decade of big league baseball.

My favorite Veeck story is the one about how he used a hole in his prosthetic leg as a receptacle for cigarette ashes and even bragged about being the world's only walking ash tray. - They don't make 'em like Bill Veeck anymore. :atthepc

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/OCTOBER17.stm

Bill_McCurdy

10-18-2004, 05:07 AM

October 18, 1953: Going, Going, Gone! The new Orioles (ne: St. Louis Browns) agree to pay the International League a grand total of $48,749 for its territorial rights in Baltimore. News of this transaction serves to reenforce reality for St. Louis fans. ...

... The Browns are gone! They aren't coming back! :ughh

A Brownie Profile: George Stovall, Mr. Laid Back. George Stovall took over as manager of the St. Louis Browns from Bobby Wallace in the 40th game of the 1912 season. Under Stovall, the 1912 Browns went 41-74 and finished in 7th place with an overall record of 53-101. The next year, the 1913 Browns posted a 50-84 before Stovall was replaced by Jimmy Austin and Branch Rickey over the last 19 games on their way to a 57-96 record that was good enough for a cellar finish in the American League.

Thw history books don't tell us anything about how George Stovall spent the days of October 18th in 1912 and 1913, but it's likely that those brief times passed without much fanfare - but with a beer or two. Stovall had a strong reputation as an easy going manager who enjoyed great popularity with his players.

"I suppose I am a rather easy boss," Stovall once said. "Ball players are pretty intelligent people and it is generally safe to trust their welfare to their own hands. The player who won't take of himself is his own worst enemy, and it's doubtful if a manager can compel him to do so. When a man is in uniform I expect him to live up to certain rules. After the game is over, I believe in allowing considerable latitude." (from "Batting" by F.C. Lane, 1925)

Rumors of Stovall's team slogan to his Browns players shocked some and amused most. Prior to games, according to writer F.C. Lane, George Stovall supposedly told his players: "Two kegs of beer if we win and one keg anyway."

Hmmm! - Wonder what got him fired? :rolleyes:

General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/OCTOBER18.stm

Bill_McCurdy

10-19-2004, 06:21 AM

October 19, 2004: Brownie Profile / Frank Mancuso. While I was growing up in the East End of Houston neighborhood of Pecan Park, we kids got to know the mothers in our area pretty well. It was important information when you were playing sandlot ball. You had to know which yards might cost you your only baseball - if you hit it through the wrong window or geranium bed. One of the safe houses during the late forties and early fifties was located on the northeast corner of Japonica at Flowers streets. That was the home of Mrs. Mancuso, the mother of two major leaguers named Gus and Frank. God rest your soul, Mrs. M., and thank you for always letting us hunt down those stray balls in your flower bed.

The younger brother of National League catcher Gus Mancuso, Frank suffered a back injury during WWII paratrooper training that knocked him out of the service and hampered his career from 1943 forward. Amazingly, Frank was back in baseball in 1944 - and in time to find himself on the roster of the St. Louis Browns during their only championship year. Mancuso split catching duties with Red Hayworth on the '44 Browns as the club amazed the baseball world by winning the pennant. Frank's play sometimes was limited by back pain and another sad effect of the injury. He had a hard time looking straight up into the air because of the back problem. That's a serious problem for any catcher, isn't it? Having the ability to look straight up for foul balls is part of the job description.

Mancuso's limitations from the injury saw him riding the bench in the '44 World Series, but Frank made good use of three plate appearances by banging out two singles. Over the years since, Mancuso has really enjoyed living with with the knowledge that his career World Series batting average is .667.

Frank Mancuso's four injury-limited seasons with the Browns (1944-46) and Washington Senators (1947) only produced a .241 career batting average, but his one full season (119 games in 1945) found him hitting .268. It's too bad we cannot fairly measure what might have been. Frank had been a promising .300 hitter as a minor leaguer while he was coming up in the systems of the New York Giants first - and then the Browns. I got to see Frank catch for my home town Houston Buffs in 1953 and, of course, I also got to see his mom just about every day during the spring and summer months.

Following his retirement from baseball, Frank Mancuso ran for city council in Houston. He was elected and then spent the next 30 years in the same public service. During that time, Mancuso did a lot of good things for the kids of Houston, always working to expand sports facilities that served inner city children especially. An audit of council spending near the end of his political career speaks volumes for what it did not find in the record of one Frank Mancuso. He was the only member of Houston's city council who had never used a penny of city money to justify travel to someplace like Paris or London in the name of promoting trade with Houston. Paris, France? Frank Mancuso didn't spend money going to Paris, Texas.

For his minor league achievements - and for his humanitarian contributions to children and the future of baseball - Frank Mancuso was inducted into the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003. This wonderful native Houstonian and strong Brownie loyalist turned 86 on May 23rd of this year.

Bill_McCurdy

10-20-2004, 05:21 AM

October 20, 1901: New Browns Raid Cards for Players. The American League's Milwaukee Brewers will be moving to St. Louis next season and they will adopt the mascot name abandoned by the same town National League Cardinals. The new St. Louis Browns today also wasted no time stocking up on players raided from the roster of their NL brethren. The Browns sign seven Cardinals, including their three top hitters - Jesse Burkett, Emmet Heidrick, and Bobby Wallace, in addition to and half the pitching staff. With no player agreement in place, the new American League comes to town to do as much damage to their National League competition as possible.

Wouldn't you love to have a transcript of what the Cardinal brass thought and said about this Browns player raid?

:ughh :mad: :grouchy

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/OCTOBER20.stm

Bill_McCurdy

10-21-2004, 06:19 AM

October 21, 1957: Browns-Itis Spreading. The Washington Senators reject the initial overtures of Minneapolis and St. Paul to move the team to the Twin Cities. Today's decision will not be the end of temptation.

When the Milwaukee Brewers moved to St. Louis in 1902, they finalized a pattern of franchise location stability that would survive for half a century. From 1902 through 1952, the sixteen major league clubs operated in the same cities, but that all began to change in 1953 when the Boston Braves suddenly moved to the midwest, becoming the Milwaukee Braves. Of arcane note is the fact that Milwaukee was involved on both ends of that period of sameness.

As we know, the Browns moved to Baltimore in 1954, becoming the Orioles. That move was quickly followed in 1955 by the A's move from Philadelphia to Kansas City. The dam really broke from there. When the Dodgers and Giants moved to California in 1958, it became obvious to even the most obstinate opponents of change. - Maintaining the status quo forever is not the world we live in.

Relocation was never just about losing teams moving elsewhere. When two winning clubs like the Giants and Dodgers leave New York City, in spite of their loyal fan support, it's about something that now looms as the mightiest force in MLB in 2004.

Today it's not about our love of the game - nor a loyalty of club owners and players to their fans. Today it's about money - monster-size money. When big money talks, clubs and players walk. :mad:

Maybe it's always been that way on some lesser financial scale. After all, the human ego and the desire for power and greed were not the inventions of free agency. Those traits in the human condition have been around forever.

In the innocence of my younger years, I fully embraced the illusion that all of my favorite Browns and Cardinals players stayed in St. Louis out of loyalty. Maybe some did, but it was the reserve clause that kept all players from having any choice.

Bill_McCurdy

10-22-2004, 05:57 AM

October 22, 1933: Browns Owner Dies. Phil Ball, millionaire owner of the St. Louis Browns, dies. Manager Rogers Hornsby will run the team.

Ball was a fascinating character. Ball became wealthy building refrigeration plants and, with Harry Sinclair, financed the St. Louis club in the Federal League. As part of the settlement with that league, the AL allowed him to buy the Browns in 1916 for $750,000. He remained owner until 1932. Ball became a strong supporter of Ban Johnson, opposed the hiring of Judge Landis, and for six years never voted in support of Landis. An early aviation enthusiast, he was director of several airplane companies and bought the factory where Lindbergh's plane was built.

His inability to get along with the intrusive Ball led directly to GM Branch Rickey leaving the Browns and casting his lot with the same town Cardinals. That move alone changed the direction of St. Louis baseball history and, years later, it would be the Cardinals who remained as the only MLB club in St. Louis. :atthepc

October 22, 1926: Former Browns Manager Fired By Red Sox. Manager Lee Fohl resigns after two last-place finishes with the Red Sox. :ughh

October 22, 1923: Former Browns Manager Hired By Red Sox. The Red Sox name Lee Fohl as their new manager. Fohl was fired in July as the Browns manager. :)

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/OCTOBER22.stm

Bill_McCurdy

10-23-2004, 06:29 AM

October 23, 1951: Former Browns Mentor Addresses Congress. Baseball renaissance man Branch Rickey, who left the Browns in 1919 because he could not get along with owner Phil Ball, is still a force in baseball some 32 years later. The father of the farm system is called upon to defend his innovation today against the threat of anti-trust action by the federal government. Rickey contends that the farm system is the only thing that saved baseball during the Depression. He asks Congress for legislation that will protect it from monopoly suits.

October 23, 1945: Rickey Defies Color Line. GM Branch Rickey announces the signing of Jackie Robinson by the Dodger organization in direct defiance of the racist ownership alliance that has kept blacks out of the big leagues since the 19th century. Way to go, Branch! :clapping

Wow! How much difference would Branch Rickey have made to Browns history had he remained with the organization rather than taking his gifted baseball mind and incredible business acumen to the Cardinals? A picture is worth a thousand words. Think of - Eddie Gaedel in a Cardinals uniform! :D

a Branch Rickey Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/R/Rickey_Branch.stm

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/OCTOBER23.stm

Bill_McCurdy

10-24-2004, 05:31 AM

October 24, 2004: Brownie Health Tips From the 1920's.

Ken Williams, Slugging Browns Outfielder, 1918-27: "One reason for my successful hitting is that I always keep in good condition. I live in one of the greatest game countries in the world, Western Oregon. But I seldom go hunting or fishing. I'd rather drive a car. I went all the way home (from St. Louis) in my car last fall. Then I went down through Southern California, through Texas and up to Kansas City. I travelled several thousand miles over all kinds of roads and averaged twenty-seven miles an hour on the trip. Driving a car trains your eyes and hands and keeps you in the open air. That's the main thing, to keep in batting trim."

Maybe I should end my 30 plus years of retirement from rag-tag level baseball and try out for the St. Louis Cardinals next spring. Based on Ken Williams's assessment of how important driving is to the development of eye-hand motor coordination, I should easily become the first National Leaguer to hit .400 since Bill Terry of the New York Giants did it with .401 back in 1930. ;)

Hank Severeid, Browns catcher, 1915-25: (Severied never complained of being tired and he routinely caught both ends of doubleheaders. Hank gave himself credit for a natural inclination toward staying in shape.) "The Norwegians are used to physical exertion. They lead a healthy life, mainly in the open. When they want go anywhere, they walk, or if it is winter, travel on skiis. They eat simple wholesome food without the sugar and nicknacks which spoil the teeth and ruin the digestion of Americans. I inherited natural physical strength, good blood and good habits. The rest I have done for myself."

Severeid understood the value of the low carb diet much earlier than Dr. Atkins - or so it seems! :D

Reference: Williams and Severeid material quoted from page 185 of "Batting" by F.C. Lane.

October 24, 1908: Was Casey Kazem There To Chart It? Singing sensation Billy Murray hits the charts with "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," the second, and most popular, of three versions to be released within a five-week period. Ironically, Murray's 1903 hit, "Tessie," is quickly adopted by Boston's Royal Rooters as their official theme song, much to the chagrin of Red Sox foes.

Today's General Reference: http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/OCTOBER24.stm

Bill_McCurdy

10-25-2004, 05:32 AM

October 25, 2004: Remembering Harlond Clift. He was the greatest third baseman in the history of the St. Louis Browns, but even the exceptional player sometimes gets lost in the abyss of regular defeat of his team. From 1934 through 1943, the Browns compiled an average season record of 62-90 and, in two of those seasons, they lost over 100 games.

It was a formula for being overlooked. Harlond Clift was the most consistent power-hitting third baseman of his era, but he was selected to the All-Star team only once. When he hit 29 homers in 1937, it was an MLB record for third basemen. He improved in 1938 with 34 home runs, placing third on the American League leader board. In fact, Harlond Clift led the league's third basemen in home runs for four straight years, 1936-39. In his nine full seasons with the Browns, Clift averaged 19 homers, 31 doubles, and 104 walks, hitting .300 twice and slugging .500 three times.

Clift also was one of the best fielders in the league. His 50 double plays and 405 assists in 1937 were records until Graig Nettles broke them in 1971, and Clift's 637 total chances in 1937 remains as the second-best mark of th 20th century. When he retired, his 309 double plays had broken Pie Traynor's career mark for third basemen.

Traded to the Washington Senators in 1943, Harlond Clift missed the Browns' lone American League championship run the next year. If you're out there, Don Mattingly, we feel sure you know a little something about how Harlond Clift felt when he missed out on that trip to the Promised Land.

As things often go, illness and injury ended the career of Harlond Clift in 1945.

Today's reference link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/C/Clift_Harlond.stm

westsidegrounds

10-25-2004, 03:32 PM

[B]
Ball was a fascinating character. Ball became wealthy building refrigeration plants ]

So ...... he was a refrigerator magnate?

Bill_McCurdy

10-25-2004, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by Bill_McCurdy: "Ball was a fascinating character. Ball became wealthy building refrigeration plants."

Originally Posted by Westsidegrounds: "So ...... he was a refrigerator magnate?" :rolleyes:

:crazy You betcha, WSG. - And, once he chased Rickey over to the Cards, the light no longer came on whenever Ball opened the Brownie 'fridge door in search of his next (or first) snack of success. Sadly for Ball and the Browns, Rickey also took all of his championship recipes with him too. :ughh

Bill_McCurdy

10-26-2004, 07:29 AM

October 26, 2004: Jack Tobin, A Brownie Profile. Jack Tobin was a St. Louis native who began his major league career with his hometown entry in the Federal League. In 1915 he led the league with 625 at bats and 184 hits. He joined the Browns in 1916 after the Federal League folded. A 5'8" 142 pound lefthanded batter, Tobin excelled at dragging a bunt for a base hit. He could also hit away with authority, powering as many as 13 homers a season and averaging 32 doubles and 12 triples a year from 1920 through 1924. He also hit two grand slams off Walter Johnson.

Tobin had four straight 200-hit seasons and batted well over .300 each year from 1919 though 1923. His career-high .352 came in 1921, when he led the American League with 671 times at bat. Jack was the leadoff man for the potent 1922 Browns, who finished one game behind the pennant-winning Yankees. In 1922-23, Tobin joined Ken Williams and Baby Doll Jacobson in a .300-hitting outfield. He coached for the Browns from 1944 through 1948 and then scouted for them for a while.

Little Jack Tobin is simply another reason why the St. Louis Browns almost took it all in 1922. It still saddens me to think too long about how we lost the pennant that year by a single game. :atthepc

Today's Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/T/Tobin_Jack.stm

Bill_McCurdy

10-27-2004, 06:12 AM

October 27, 2004: The Spirit of St. Louis: The History of the St. Louis Cardinals and Browns. If you haven't read this history of St. Louis baseball by Peter Golenbock, I recommend you do so. It is, by far, the most comprehensive anthology of how baseball took root in the hearts of 19th century St. Louisans and became the home of both those original Browns who became the Cardinals - and the Brewers from Milwaukee who came to to town in 1902 and became the 20th century Browns that this website exists to celebrate. If you want a one-stop whole picture of the dynamics that went into the struggle between the Cardinals and Browns for the hearts of the people, this is the book you really need to read. It's about four years old now, I think, but it's still quite available in stock or by order from major bookstores. It's also easy to order online. Here's a link that will give you more information. ...

http://www.golenbockbooks.com/stlouischap.htm

A Brownie Profile: Elam Vangilder. Elam Vangilder pitched for the St. Louis Browns from 1919 through 1927, establishing a club record for most games pitched (323). His 19-13 record in 1922 led the majors and also was his career best mark. He also led the American League with 11 relief wins in 1925. Along the way, Vangilder halted two of minor league baseball's greatest hitting streaks: Joe Wilhoit's 69-game streak, while Elam was pitching for Tulsa (Western League) on August 20, 1919; and Reading's Joe Quellich's string of 15 consecutive hits, while Vangilder was on the mound for Montreal (International League) on August 12, 1929.

On December 2, 1927, Vangilder was traded by the Browns to Detroit, along with infielder Chick Galloway and outfielder Harry Rice. In exchange for Vangilder and company, the Browns acquired first baseman Lu Blue and outfielder Heinie Manush in a nice find for the Browns. Future Hall of Famer Manush would go on to hit .378 for the 1928 Browns and come very close to winning the batting championship.

Meanwhile, the lamp of Vangilder's big league career was going out like a weak candle in a gentle breeze. It ended early in 1929. Elam finished with a career record of 99 wins, 102 losses, and an E.R.A. of 4.29. The Cape Girardeau, Missouri native died in his birthplace in 1977 at the age of 81.

Vangilder Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/V/Vangilder_Elam.stm

Bill_McCurdy

10-28-2004, 05:28 AM

October 28, 1954: The Franchise Moving Beat Goes On. The Braves moved from Boston to Milwaukee in 1953. The Browns moved from St. Louis to Baltimore in 1954 and changed their name to Orioles. Now things are stirring hard in Philadelphia. MLB club owners today vote down the sale of the Athletics to a Philadelphia syndicate. A week from now, Arnold Johnson will buy a controlling interest in the Athletics from the Mack family for 3.5 million and move the team to Kansas City. No, they don't become the Royals, they remain the Athletics. The Royals will come later. The Kansas City Athletics (1955-67) eventually move to Oakland in 1968. The Kansas City Royals are born as an expansion team in 1969 - but the beat goes on. There will be numerous other franchise births and relocations from 1954 through 2004, but most cities who lose clubs will not get replacement franchises in the future.

Of the 16 clubs that existed unchanged for fifty years (1902-52), the following legendary names no longer exist as living, breathing entities in their original cities:

American League
Philadelphia Athletics
St. Louis Browns
Washington Senators *

* If the new 3rd incarnation of a Washington club in 2005 really wants the name "Senators", they will have to buy it from the Texas Rangers, who own the rights from their brief term in Washington as the 2nd coming of that club.

National League
Boston Braves
Brooklyn Dodgers
New York Giants

Today's Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/OCTOBER28.stm

Bill_McCurdy

10-29-2004, 04:49 AM

A Brownie Profile: Hub Pruett. Breaking in with the great '22 Browns, lefty Hub Pruett quickly gained respect by striking out Babe Ruth, 10 of the first 13 times he faced him. Pruett threw a screwball that simply gave Ruth fits. Unfortunately, Hub had far less success against the rest of league. His dominance of The Bambino was just one of those bizarre pairings that happens every now and then.

The screwball that baffled Ruth gave Pruett a chronic sore arm, although he went 7-7 with a 2.33 E.R.A. in his 1922 rookie year. Pruett studied medicine in the off-season and left baseball with the Browns to set up practice in St. Louis after three seasons (1922-24). Pruett made a comeback with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1927, but he went 7-17 with an ugly 6.05 E.R.A. By the end of the 1932 season, Pruett had made two final stops with the New York Giants and Boston Braves and was gone for good. Hub finished with a career record of 29 wins, 48 losses, and a 4.63 E.R.A.

a general reference link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/P/Pruett_Hub.stm

Bill_McCurdy

10-30-2004, 06:29 AM

October 30, 2004, A Brownie Profile: Roy Sievers. A St. Louis native signed by the Browns, Sievers was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1949, batting .306 with 16 home runs and 75 RBI. He hit just .238 the following season, then was hindered by a shoulder separation suffered while making a diving catch in 1951; after reporting early for spring training in 1952, he dislocated his right arm during infield practice. The Browns traded him to the Senators for Gil Coan in February 1954. In Washington, Sievers became a favorite of Richard Nixon (then vice president), driving in 100 or more runs and playing at least 144 games each year from 1954 through 1958. In 1957, though his club came in last, Sievers led the AL with 42 home runs and became the first Senator to win the RBI crown (114) since Goose Goslin in 1924. He tied an AL record in July and August of 1957 by homering in six consecutive contests - a mark since eclipsed by Don Mattingly. He remained productive through 1963 with the Phillies; that year, he matched Jimmie Foxx as the only players to pinch hit grand slams in both the AL and NL. In mid-1964 he was sold to the expansion Senators.

Roy Sievers is also a very likeable guy and one of the regular attendees of the Browns reunion banquets each May in St. Louis. It's too bad that the Browns had to trade him away to have all of his most productive years in Washington, but that's baseball. And that's life. :atthepc

a general reference link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/S/Sievers_Roy.stm

Aa3rt

10-30-2004, 07:06 AM

Thanks for the profile, Bill. Another Browns-Senators connection-I love it! :)

westsidegrounds

10-30-2004, 04:38 PM

A Brownie Profile: Hub Pruett. [/url]

"Hub" is short for Hubert, so I guess it's pronounced "Hube"? (i.e., rhymes with Cube).

Nickname was "Shucks", which I think I read sometime came from a radio broadcast - he was asked about a good pitching outing & said something like "Shucks, it wasn't nothin' ..." after that, whenever guys wanted to razz him they'd yell "Hey, "Shucks"!"

...ballplayers can be so cruel .... :laugh

Bill_McCurdy

10-31-2004, 07:16 AM

http://images.andale.com/f2/109/101/8479184/1029795862469_5430.gif

October 31, 2004: Happy Halloween, Brownie Fans!

On another slow news day in the Brownie Calendar of History, here's my humble offering of how a certain group of movie monsters could have been assembled to make up the most horror-bull lineup in St. Louis Browns history. We'll get back to serious stuff tomorrow.

Count Dracula, Pitcher: Although he wields a pretty mean bat, the starting pitcher for the Halloween Browns leaves a little to be desired when it comes to his pitching prowess. - For one thing, he's only able pitch in night games, for some reason that he had written into his contract. - Another bizarre contract stipulation? Dracula has the only locker in the Browns clubhouse that rests horizonatlly on the floor. As a pitcher, "The Count" has a fastball and a nickel curve, but the latter really sucks. Other teams hit him hard and - when Dracula gets knocked out of the box - he really gets knocked out of the box.

The Blob, Catcher: Best defensive guy on the whole Halloween Browns club. Nothing gets past him - and he's always good for a cover up story any time something goes wrong for the Browns, which is often.

The Frankenstein Monster, 1st Base: Lack of mobility caused Frankie's move here from the outfield, but his powerful bat forced the Browns to make a place for him. Does a monster job on 1st and is hitting on a pace to break the home run record of Barry Bonds. Frankie was struck by lightning in the first inning a recent game with the Yankees. He not only stayed in the game, he also hit monster-job homers in each of his five trips to the plate.

Forrest "Spook" Jacobs, 2nd Base: "Spook" makes the club because I've liked his nickname since his minor league days with the Fort Worth Cats. He was the kind of guy who should've been a Brown in reality, but somehow pleased or angered the baseball gods (depending on your perspective), and got sent to the majors by way of the Athletics and their own version of baseball horror.

Dr. Henry Jekyll, 3rd Base: The most frustrating guy on the club. At times, he plays defense on the hot corner like Brooks Robinson to the nth degree. Other days, his defense is absolutely horrible. After Jekyll made 6 throwing errors in the 1st inning of a game against the Tigers recently, the Brownie fans were ready to kill him. "You'd better hide, mister!" shouted one Browns fan from the 3rd base railing of the stands.

Lawrence "The Wolfman" Talbot, Shortstop: Covers a lot ground in a hurry. A speedy 2.5 seconds to 1st leadoff man, Talbot scratches out a lot of hits that otherwise would be outs. Great on defense and generally plays the game in a "go for the jugular" mode. Only has a bad game every once in a blue moon.

Godzilla, Left Field: Nobody hits one over this guy's head, except the lawyers. "Godzi" is currently being sued for malicious negligence by both the Yankees and Red Sox for damage to parts of their ballparks on a recent road trip. At Yankee Stadium, the Yankees are trying to hold Godzi responsible for flattening "Monument Valley" while in pursuit of a fly ball. At Fenway, Godzi is accused of destroying the left field wall with his fist in a fit of rage. Of course, he destroyed it. If they made a movie entitled "Godzilla vs. The Green Monster", you'd expect Godzi to win, wouldn't you?

The Mummy, Center Field: Weakest defensive spot on the club. With no budding Tori Hunter or Carlos Beltran on the roster, the Halloween Browns had to settle for "The Mummy" after they failed to sign either Jim Edmonds or Spiderman. Slow afoot and with very limited range - every ball hit to center field is a potential homer with "Mum" in the big pasture. Brownie teammates attribute much of "Mum's" problems to his self-centered attitude. "He could do a whole lot better if he weren't so dadgum wrapped up in himself," offered Spook Jacobs.

The Invisible Man, Right Field: "I.M." plays right field with all the ability of a Larry Walker. The problem is - he's not particularly reliable. You never know if he's actually going to show up to play until somebody on the other club hits a can-of-corn fly to right field.* - If "I.M." is out there, you will see the ball seem to suddenly stop in mid-air about five feet from the ground. Then you will see the ball sort of make a semi-circle and quickly whip itself back to the infield on a clothesline trajectory.

If "I.M." is taking the night off, even a can-of-corn will likely drop in for a home run to right field. Who's going to go get it in time to prevent such? The Mummy? The Frankenstein Monster? Spook Jacobs?

* Technically speaking, "I.M." doesn't even show up when he does show up!

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Forgive me this once. I promise not to do this again. It was just my way of saying BOO! :crazy

westsidegrounds

10-31-2004, 03:01 PM

http://images.andale.com/f2/109/101/8479184/1029795862469_5430.gif

October 31, 2004: Happy Halloween, Brownie Fans!

The Invisible Man, Right Field: "I.M." plays right field with all the ability of a Larry Walker. The problem is - he's not particularly reliable. You never know if he's actually going to show up to play until somebody on the other club hits a can-of-corn fly to right field.* - If "I.M." is out there, you will see the ball seem to suddenly stop in mid-air about five feet from the ground. Then you will see the ball sort of make a semi-circle and quickly whip itself back to the infield on a clothesline trajectory.

Thing is, the I.M.'s clothes don't turn invisible, so if that's all you see then he must be ... let's just say nobody wants to sit next to him on the bench ...

Bill_McCurdy

10-31-2004, 04:13 PM

Thing is, the I.M.'s clothes don't turn invisible, so if that's all you see then he must be ... let's just say nobody wants to sit next to him on the bench ... westsidegrounds :laugh

You make a very good point, WSG, - but how would they rest of the team even know where I.M. was sitting, unless he bumped into them, or breathed heavily, or made a giveaway noise of some kind? :eek:

Next thought would be to find him a compatible teammate. Now that he's a free agent, maybe the Halloween Browns could sign Moises Alou as I.M.'s bench mate - and maybe even sign Dusty Baker as the new manager. After all, Dusty knows a thing or two about managing horror shows. :rolleyes:

Then there's that other disappearing man, Sammy Sosa. Hmmm, ... I wonder if maybe Sammy could get along well with I.M. After all, they both play right field - and sometimes they both get into that pattern of not showing up. ... :ughh

westsidegrounds

10-31-2004, 06:24 PM

Hey, if you're including Spook Jacobs, you might also consider making room for Creepy Crespi, and Jo-Jo Moore - the Gause Ghost.

This Browns aggregation might play an exhibition game against the Wichita Witches ...

And now it's time to get into my Bud Selig costume & go trick or treating ... have a great Halloween, everybody!

Bob Hannah

10-31-2004, 06:39 PM

http://images.andale.com/f2/109/101/8479184/1029795862469_5430.gif

October 31, 2004: Happy Halloween, Brownie Fans!

Forgive me this once. I promise not to do this again. It was just my way of saying BOO! :crazy
Forgive? You are to be lauded for this offering, Bill, it really made my night! Imaginative and humorous. Thank you. Can't wait for your next howliday offering.

Bill_McCurdy

11-01-2004, 06:07 AM

November 1, 1949: A Theme That Never Played for The Browns. The Gillette Razor Blade Company buys the World Series television rights for $1.37 million, with the money derived to be dedicated to the players pension fund. Gillette will soon introduce World Series televiewers to the slogan and musical jingle, "Look Sharp! Feel Sharp! Be Sharp!" Unfortunately, the Browns never looked, felt, or performed sharply enough to hear the Gillette theme played for them as participants in the World Series.

November 1, 1946: Veeck Undergoes Amputation. The right foot of Cleveland owner Bill Veeck is amputated as a result of a war injury in the South Pacific two years earlier. Veeck has had a major impact on the art of big league baseball promotion in a mere half season of Indians ownership. For example, a minor but typical change made by Veeck is the regular posting of National League scores on the Cleveland scoreboard, a departure from the long-standing practice of both leagues simply ignoring each other, except for the All Star Game and World Series.

Man! If it weren't for people like Branch Rickey, and Bill Veeck joining him in the post-WWII era, baseball may well have strangled in the mossback minds of most owners in that era. How little they all knew back in 1946 how many other novel marketing tricks Bill Veeck had up his sleeve for baseball in the years to come. 1946 was only the start of his genius promotional run. Veeck was like a free-spirited, creativity-cutting power mower running wildly amuck on the placid lawn of baseball tradition.

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/NOVEMBER1.stm

Bill_McCurdy

11-02-2004, 05:50 AM

November 2, 1913: Federal League Grabs Ex-Brown as 1st Theft from MLB. The Federal League began an ominously symbolic assault upon MLB by signing a former Browns manager as the first field person stolen from the established organization of major league baseball. Former St. Louis Browns manager George Stovall is the first MLB player to jump to the Federal League, signing to manage Kansas City. With glib salesman Jim Gilmore as its president, and backed by several millionaires, including oil magnate Harry Sinclair and Brooklyn baker Robert Ward, the Federal League declares open war two weeks later by announcing they will not honor the ML's reserve clause. It will prove a long, costly struggle, similar to the American League's beginnings, but with more losers than winners.

Rumors that the Federal League adopted Stovall's managerial slogan as their war cry in the battle against MLB are unfounded. The Feds never said: "Two kegs of beer if we force organized baseball to recognize us. - One keg if we don't." :ughh

November 2, 1881: Birth of Those "Other" Browns. The American Association of Professionals is founded with the motto "Liberty to All." The members are St. Louis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Allegheny, Athletic, and Atlantic. This new American Asociation will be considered a major league.

The American Association was formed by midwestern clubs who resented the National League's ban on beer and Sunday baseball. Dominated by the St. Louis Browns of brewing magnate Chris von der Ahe, the league thrived, quickly making peace with the NL. However, the Players' League revolt undid the American Association, which (on the advice of the National League) expanded to 12 teams in 1890 to directly compete with the Player's League - a disastrous move that exacerbated the ills of that strife-torn year and led to the AA's being absorbed by the NL after the 1891 season.

The AA/NL Browns would change their name to the St. Louis Perfectos in 1899 and then to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1900 because of their cardinal red uniform sox. Two years later, in 1902, the Milwaukee Brewers will move to town and become the new St. Louis Browns of the American League. The club adopts the old "Browns" name to recall the glory days of Charlie Comiskey's clubs - and also as an "in your face" challenge to the same town competing Cardinals who abandoned that original identity following the 1898 season. :lookitup

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/NOVEMBER2.stm

Bill_McCurdy

11-03-2004, 06:36 AM

November 3, 1926: Sisler Out As Browns Skipper. George Sisler's tenure as playing manager of the St. Louis Browns ends today when the greatest Brownie player in history is replaced by Dan Howley. Sisler was on the job as Browns skipper from 1924 through 1926, finishing 4th, 3rd, & 7th. Howley will hold down the wheel for the Browns from 1927 through 1929, but will leave after finishing 7th, 3rd, & 4th - not a bad result for a Brownie mentor.

Howley broke into baseball as a catcher with Indianapolis of the American Association in 1906 and he appeared briefly with the Phillies in 1913. He managed at Montreal for four years, then moved to Toronto (International League), where he won a pennant in 1918. He was a coach for the Tigers in 1919 and 1921-22. He returned to Toronto, and in 1926 won a pennant to break Baltimore's streak of seven straight flags. A combative manager known for his ability to develop young pitchers, he managed the Browns and Reds for three seasons each.

Today's Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/NOVEMBER3.stm

A Brownie Profile: Dr. Bob Poser. I didn't know Dr. Bob Poser well. In fact, my only contact with him was through seeing him at two or three of the annual May reunions of the old Browns in St. Louis afew years ago. All I knew of him was that he was a retired doctor from Wisconsin who also had spent a little time in the big leagues in the 1930s after a successful career at the University of Wisconsin as a righthanded pitcher.

Ultimately, medical school and becoming a small town doctor had won Dr. Bob's heart and became the great calling that consumed his life. In spite of that louder life siren, Dr. Bob never forgot his brief time in the big leagues. At the Brownie reunions, he seemed to quietly revel in the company of other former Browns - all of whom were more famous, but none of whom went back as far as actual participants in big league play.

As a pitcher with the Chicago White Sox in 1932, and the St. Louis Browns in 1935, Poser put together a 1-1 career record with a 10.05 ERA in 5 games. Not much to write home about, but more time in the big leagues than most of us who ever played the game and dreamed of the bigs ever saw. Bob Poser's 14.1 innings pitched in two seasons put him way ahead of so many of us on that score. No matter how short his time - or how undistinguished his record - no one will ever take away the fact that he did get there - and he did play baseball in the big leagues.

Dr. Bob was truly a gentle man, as I briefly knew him. Our last contact was May 19, 2002, in the lobby of our reunion hotel in St. Louis. As I was sitting in the lobby, Dr. Bob walked in, cane in hand, to wait for his ride back to his hometown of Columbus, Wisconsin. I believe it was his son who had driven him to St. Louis - and it was the son who was getting the car to pick up Dr. Bob, age 92, at the front door.

"Let me get a picture of you before you go, Dr. Bob," I suggested. Dr. Bob just beamed. "You really want a picture of me?" he asked. "You bet I do," I responded. "You were a Brown once, weren't you?"

I took that picture. It most likely was the last photo ever taken of Dr. Bob in his lifetime. Two days later, on May 21, 2002, Dr. Bob Poser died in his sleep at home.

When I learned of Dr. Bob's death, it saddened me greatly, even though I barely knew more of him than the fact that I liked the soul that shone through the eyes of this very nice fellow. I had several copies of the photo I took made and sent them to his widow, whose address I had retrieved from the Browns Fan Club. Several weeks later, Mrs. Poser wrote to thank me.

"Bob would've been so pleased," she wrote. "He always came back from those reunions feeling a little badly that few remembered him or seemed to want his autograph. I know it made him happy that you even wanted to take his picture."

The pleasure was mine, Dr. Bob. - You once were a St. Louis Brown - and that's enough reason for me to remember you. Always.

If you care to see my last photo of Dr. Bob Poser, click on this link below to view it at my photo website. ...

http://community.webshots.com/photo/77030254/143046917fSIXYM

Bill_McCurdy

11-04-2004, 06:33 AM

November 4, 2004: A Brownie Profile / Don Gutteridge. Don's big league career started like Gangbusters with the 1936 Cardinals. Had the rest of his career gone like this one day, Don Gutteridge unarguably would be remembered today as the greatest player in the history of baseball. On his second day as a Cardinal in 1936, in a doubleheader at Ebbets Field, rookie Don Gutteridge banged out six hits, including an inside-the-park home run. Oh yeah, as icing on the cake, Don also stole home twice.

One of 70 players to play for both the Cardinals and Browns, Gutteridge was a pepperpot second baseman on the Browns' lone pennant-winner in 1944. On June 30, 1944, Gutteridge took part in five double plays in one game, setting a since-surpassed American League second basemen's record.

Later, as a coach for the Chicago White Sox, Don took over the helm when Al Lopez retired on May 4, 1969. He remained as the Chicago manager until he was fired in September 1970. It was nothing personal. The White Sox weren't winning with the talent on hand and - as writers often like to report - when a club needs to make a change to restore public confidence - it's easier to fire the manager than to can the whole team.

Don Gutteridge hit .319 in 91 ABs for the '36 Cardinals. He never hit .300 again in a full season, but he established himself as defensive presence, - first at third base - and later at second base. Over the course of his 12 year major league career (1936-48), Gutteridge collected 1,075 big league hits and batted .256.

In one of those little curiosities of baseball history, Don Gutteridge appeared twice in the World Series in opposition to his original club, the Cardinals. The first time this happened, of course, was his 1944 appearance for the Browns against the Cardinals. Two years later, Don again opposed the Cardinals in the World Series as a member of the 1946 Boston Red Sox. Unfortunately for Gutteridge, he drew the losing side on both occasions.

Don Gutteridge, now 92, still lives in his lifetime home of Pittsburg, Kansas. He remains sharp as a tack on baseball matters - and is also one of the nicest gentlemen I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. In 2002, Don Gutteridge wrote his fine autobiography with the help of Ronnie Joyner and Bill Bozman. "Don Gutteridge: In Words and Pictures" is a beautiful hard cover story of Gutteridge's life in baseball. Beyond its excellence as the story of one player from the golden years of baseball, it is another nice exposition, in words and pictures, of how life was for the ordinary ballplayer during the reserve clause era of the 1930s and 1940s.

This is not a commercial, but a recommendation to all Browns fans in particular. If you would like a signed copy of the Gutteridge book, a few copies remain available at $24.95. If you are interested, simply make out a check or money order to "Pepperpot Productions" in that amout and send it with your order and mailing instructions to:

Pepperpot Productions
P.O. Box 1016
Dunkirk, MD 20754

If you have further questions about the Gutteridge work, drop an e-mail to the book's producer, Ronnie Joyner, at ronnie@ndun.com

Joyner is the same talented writer, artist, producer, and passionate baseball man who did the graphics work for me on the book I wrote with former Browns player Jerry Witte, "A Kid From St. Louis: Jerry Witte's Life in Baseball." If you have any questions or interest in the Witte book, simply drop me an e-mail message at houston_buff@hotmail.com

Bill_McCurdy

11-05-2004, 06:42 AM

November 5, 1901: In The Beginning, ... In the beginning, St. Louis was dark and disconnected from the 1901 first season of American League baseball. Now comes American League President Ban Johnson and Chicago White Sox owner Charles Comiskey to bring new baseball light to this western border of the established National League. On this day, the two men sign a five-year lease on Sportsman's Park for ready use by an American League team in the 1902 season. Two weeks from today, the Milwaukee Brewers franchise will be officially transferred to St. Louis.

Charles Comiskey's participation in this trip to St. Louis with Ban Johnson was no accident. As a player-manager for the St. Louis Browns (now Cardinals) of the American Association from 1885 to 1888, Comiskey won four league titles. Comiskey knew the city well and was eager to place his new American League association in direct competition for the hearts and wallets of St. Louisans.

Comiskey had played a major role in putting St. Louis on the baseball map during the late 19th century. He is also remembered for a number of other things, from his role as a penurious owner whose tight pocketbook may have tilted the table of player discontent toward the 1919 Black Sox scandal to the fact that the name "Comiskey" untimately became more famous as a ballpark. In 1901, however, he remained in St. Louis consciousness as the man who first brought championship baseball to the city.

In 1901, Charles Comiskey also was long-noted as the man who wrote the book on how to play first base. In fact, Comiskey did not invent first base defense. He simply learned well and brought it to light on a bigger stage. In 1879, Chicago sandlotter Comiskey hooked up with a now forgotten baseball promoter named Ted Sullivan, who taught him the art of playing first base. Until the 1880s, most first basemen started each play with a foot on the bag. Comiskey increased his range by playing off the bag, and his success popularized that style. As a player-manager for the St. Louis Browns of the American Association.

At any rate, on this date in history, November 5, 1901, Charles Comiskey was on hand to signal the impending birth of the new St. Louis Browns.

Today's reference link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/NOVEMBER5.stm

Bill_McCurdy

11-06-2004, 06:44 AM

November 6, 2004: Speaking of Sportsman's Park. Here's some trivia about the old home of the St. Louis Browns and Cardinals:

(1.) Sportsman's Park was renamed Busch Stadium in 1953. When new Cardinals owner August Busch bought the ballpark from the Browns that same year, it gave him the right to replace the name of a St. Louis landmark with his own identity. When one has ego, money, and power - anything is possible and change may happen quickly.

(2.) The St. Louis Globe-Democrat, had an ad on the right center field wall that showed the star of the previous game. Immediately to the right of this ad, the league standings for both leagues were listed.

(3.) After the ballpark's 1953 purchase by Busch, the Anheuser Busch logo eagle was perched atop the left center field scoreboard. The Busch eagle flapped its wings after every Cardinal homer. During World War II, a War Chest promotion resided where the eagle eventually roosted.

(4.) The Herbert Hoover Boys’ Club, with a baseball diamond where the major league version used to be, resided on the site of the ballpark for years. The club still operates a service program for inner city kids on the grounds of the old ballpark. They also used to maintain a plaque at the site of home plate. I'm not sure what they are doing about historical preservation now. The last time I visited the hallowed grounds, in about 2000, the plaque was gone and there was no trace of a baseball diamond, It was all laid out for soccer.

Someone at the club told me that the plaque was stolen was some time back. They now have a plaque on the office building of the community service program to denote the place as the site of the former Sportsman's Park. Apparently they decided that it would be futile to replace the home plate plaque because there is no way to keep it from being swiped again by collectors or crumbums. As a sad result, now you can't tell exactly where home plate used to be.

:grouchy (Nice going, creep, whoever you are!) :grouchy

(5.) The Cardinals office at Sportsman's Park was located at 3623 Dodier; Browns office was around the corner at 2911 North Grand.

(6.) There were pavilion seats in the power alley in right center field. A second deck, from first base to third, was added in 1909. It was expanded to the foul poles in 1925.

(7.) Bleachers were added to parts of the outfield in 1926.

(8.) The flagpole stood in fair territory until it was removed in the 1950s.

(9.) Bill Veeck’s family lived in an apartment under the stands in the 1950s. When he bought the stadium from the Browns in 1953, Cardinals owner Gussie Busch almost named it Budweiser Stadium, but he was prevented by league and public pressure against the idea of naming a ballpark after a beer. "OK," Busch must've thought, "if I can't name it after my beer, I'll just name it after me. And while you're at it, change the name of that old "Buff Stadium" down in Houston to "Busch Stadium" too. - The world can't have too many ballparks named after me."

(10.) When the new St. Louis venue was built in the mid-1960s, a helicopter carried home plate from old Busch Stadium to (where else?) new Busch Memorial Stadium after the last game was played at the storied original park on May 8, 1966.

(11.) Sportsman's Park was the site of the 1940, 1948 and 1957 All-Star games. Of course, that '57 game was played under its new Busch name.

For further information, check out this link to "St. Louis' Big League Ballparks." There are some great photos and interesting information there about the changing dimensions of the ballpark over the years. ...

http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/american/sports.htm

Bill_McCurdy

11-07-2004, 05:16 AM

November 7, 1938: Browns Sign Fred Haney. Fred Haney is signed to manage the St. Louis Browns. Following a career spent mostly as a Detroit Tiger third baseman and a long tour in AAA baseball, Haney began his managerial career with the Toledo Mudhens of the American Association in 1936. From this date of his signing, Haney will go on to lead the 1939 Browns to a club-record 111 losses. The '39 Browns will be regarded by many historians as the worst Browns club in franchise history. As a partial result of this inauspicious start, Haney will be replaced as Browns manager by Luke Sewell after 44 games in 1941, an axe-fall which hastens his return as the manager at Toledo. Haney will shift to broadcasting games for the Hollywood Stars of the Pacific Coast League from 1943 through 1948, and will then manage the same club to two pennants in four seasons.

Haney's PCL success will success earn him the managerical job in Pittsburgh, where he will lead the Pirates to last place finishes for three years in a row (1953-55). Taking over the Milwuakee Braves in June 1956, Haney will lead them to a world championship in 1957 and a pennant in 1958. Despite finishing second in 1959, he will be fired again.

Looking back now from 2004 on the career of the conservative manager Fred Haney, it's hard to know if he really led the Browns and Pirates to last place finishes or the Braves to two World Series against the Yankees. Maybe, like the rest of us who simply watch the games, Fred Haney was just there in the dugout, going along for the ride, and once more proving an old adage about the cream rising. Ii's not rocket science. Good teams tend to go up and bad teams tend to go down. The worst manager in the world may not be able to keep a good team from winning - and the best manager in the world may not be able to keep a bad team from losing.

There will always be people like Fred Haney - people who are never destroyed by the bad times and never annointed by great success. Maybe it had something to do with Haney's personality. Fred Haney's bland personna aroused ire. He was once hung in effigy by Milwaukee fans during a pennant-winning campaign, but so what? Haney was resilient. You have to give him credit for his rubbery adaptability to bad career news. The man suffered the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, but he always seemed to land on his feet somewhere else. After his firing by the Braves, Haney later returned to broadcasting, and this time, he worked the NBC-TV Game of the Week. Fred Haney then added a pioneer feather to his cap by becoming the first general manager of the expansion club first known as the Los Angeles Angels.

Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on 4/25/1898, Fred Haney died in Beverly Hills California on 11/09/1977 at the age of 79. If the pattern of his life on this planet held up beyond the grave, we assume that Fred Haney merely left this old world for a better deal elsewhere. :atthepc

reference link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/H/Haney_Fred.stm

westsidegrounds

11-07-2004, 05:16 PM

Fred Haney.

A very nice appreciation of "Pudge"!

Actually I didn't know he had a nickname, I looked it up ...

Found out two more things in doing so:

He won "Executive of the Year" for his work with the Angels in '62.

He was 5'6" - maybe the shortest manager of modern times?

Man, those Milwaukee fans were rough!

Bill_McCurdy

11-08-2004, 06:02 AM

November 8, 2004: A Brownie Profile / Johnny Bera(r)dino.

http://www.1952toppsbaseballcards.com/253.jpg

Johnny Berardino, Matinee Idol

Speaking of the 1939 Browns, Johnny Berardino may been one of the most colorful guys to play for that desolate last place club of 43 wins and 111 losses. Breaking into the big leagues with the '39 Browns, the handsome 22-year old second baseman reached the majors with a background in baseball and movie acting. He had appeared in a few of the "Our Gang" comedies as a child actor, but chose baseball as his first career pursuit. Berardino hit .256 for the '39 Browns in 126 games. He remained with the Browns through the 1946 season - with three years off for military service in the South Pacific during World War II from 1943-45.

After three years as a regular at the beginning of his career, including a 16 home run season in 1940, Berardino became a utility man who was called a "one-man infield" for his versatility. He hit a grand slam off Yankee relief ace Johnny Murphy in 1940. After playing for the Browns, Indians, and Pirates by the end of 1950, Berardino appeared with all three teams, in the same order, over the last two years of his career.

Following his release by Pittsburgh in 1952, Berardino had to hock his 1948 Indians World Series ring.

Because of his striking good looks and reputation among female fans as a matinee idol, Bill Veeck once insured the infielder's face as a publicity stunt. Johnny was aware of his potential as a favorite with the ladies, and he also recognized after 13 years and the equivalent of 11 full seasons in the majors that a .249 career batting average was no pathway to fame and fortune.

At the age of 35, Berardino quit baseball after the 1952 season. He promptly dropped the second "r" from his name and returned to acting, spending over 25 years as Dr. Steve Hardy on the popular soap opera, "General Hospital."

"General Hospital" may have worked out well for Beradino, but its soupy and simple melodrama couldn't hold a candle to the soap opera that was the saga of the St. Louis Browns from 1902 to 1953. Several ancient soap opera titles could easily have been parodied into use as the title for any good biography on the St. Louis Browns. I'm torn between "Search for Tomorrow" and "As The Franchise Turns" as my favorite choice for same. :atthepc

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/B/Berardino_Johnny.stm

Bill_McCurdy

11-09-2004, 04:27 AM

November 9, 1992: McLane Buys Astros for $115 Mil. Drayton McLane Jr. of Temple, Texas officially becomes owner of the Houston Astros today, purchasing the team from John McMullen of New Jersey for $115 million. In a fast forward of only 12 years to November 9, 2004, we now find Astros owner McLane faced with the reality that he may have to cough up another $115 million to even have a chance at keeping Carlos Beltran, the best player from his 2004 club. Today's owners are paying more for individual players than they once paid for their entire franchises. What's up with the economics of baseball these days? How can it be so out-of-scale from the way most of us live in these early years of the 21st century?

By now you may be wondering - what's this have to do with the St. Louis Browns? - Read on.

November 9, 1953: Supreme Court Rules In Favor of Baseball. The U.S. Supreme Court decides today by a 7-2 margin that baseball is a sport and not a business and, therefore, not subject to anti-trust laws. The ruling is made in a case involving New York Yankee farm hand George Toolson, who refused to move from AAA to AA.

The ruling is obviously correct. Anyone with eyes to see should understand that the recent move of the Browns from St. Louis to Baltimore was simply a sporting proposition that had nothing whatsoever to do with business and the secondary pursuit of that almighty dollar. ;)

Baseball. Love the sport. Hate the business. :atthepc

Bill_McCurdy

11-10-2004, 05:37 AM

November 10, 2004: A Brownie Profile / Rube Waddell.

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/photos/headshots/Waddell_Rube.gif

Rambunctious Rube

Best remembered as a member of the deadball era Philadelphia Athletics, the great lefty known as George Edward (Rube) Waddell went 19-14 with a 1.89 ERA for the 1908 St. Louis Browns. He had been acquired for mere cash from Connie Mack and the A's following his 19-13, 2.15 ERA mark with Philadelphia in 1907. If you look only at the record book on Waddell, you will see that his performance for the A's from 1902 to 1907 was the stuff that insured his eventual Hall of Fame selection. On facts alone, there's no way a club simply sells a player like Waddell for cash, - especially not in the days of the reserve clause, when clubs had no worries about good ones getting away.

Rube's sale to the Browns was testament to his ability for trying the patience of even the mild-mannered and gentle genius that was Connie Mack. In today's terms, Rube Waddell was a "high maintenance contributor" whose great ability to win finally tumbled under the greater weight of problems he brought to Mr. Mack's peace of mind.

Here are some thumbnail facts about Waddell which only add to his lore over time as one of the great eccentrics (crackpots) in baseball history:

Success In Spite of Self. Connie Mack called Rube Waddell one of the best lefties of all time. With a sharp-breaking curve and a fastball comparable to the great Walter Johnson, Rube collected 50 career shutouts. His (K/W) strikeout-to-walk ratio was almost 3-to-1. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946.

Was There Something In The Water Where Rube Grew Up? Who knows? Maybe it was just a bump in his gene pool. Waddell grew up on the farmlands around Bradford, PA. "He often missed school," said his sister, "but I could always find him playing ball, fishing or following a fire engine."

Early Times. Waddell pitched for a college team for one year, and for town teams at $25 a game, before signing his first contract with Louisville (NL) in 1897. He was playing for Pittsburgh when, unhappy with the stern discipline of manager Fred Clarke, he jumped the club. Clarke, preferring not to have to deal with the flaky hurler, let him go.

Enter Mr. Mack. Connie Mack "borrowed" Waddell from the Pirates' Barney Dreyfuss for his Milwaukee team in the newly christened American League, which was still a minor league in 1900. On August 19, Milwaukee played a doubleheader against the White Sox. Waddell went all the way in the 17-inning opener, winning it 3-2 on his own triple. The two managers agreed the second game would be five innings. Mack, knowing Waddell was an avid fisherman, asked him, "...how would you like to go fishing at Pewaukee for three days instead of going with us to Kansas City? All you have to do is pitch the second game." Waddell threw a five-inning shutout.

Big Years With The A's. Waddell joined Mack's Philadelphia Athletics in 1902 and went 24-7, leading the AL in strikeouts for the first of six straight seasons. In 1904 he struck out 349 - an AL record that stood for over 70 years until it was surpassed by Nolan Ryan. (He had been credited with 343 until after Bob Feller fanned 348 in 1946. Further digging into past records later increased Waddell's total to 349 K's.) In 1905 he led the league with 26 wins, 8 relief wins, 46 appearances, 287 strikeouts, and a 1.48 ERA.

Money Meant Nothing. It was rumored that gamblers paid Waddell to fake an arm injury and sit out the 1905 World Series against the Giants. "That's ridiculous," maintained Mack. "Money meant nothing to him." In truth, Waddell had fallen on his left arm while horsing around with teammate Andy Coakley. It stiffened up overnight, and he didn't pitch again that season. Though he pitched four more ML seasons, he never again threw with the same snap.

It is believed Waddell never made more than $2,800 a year, and he spent money as fast as he got it. For a time the A's paid him in dollar bills, hoping to make his money last longer. He was forever borrowing or conning extra money out of Mack.

Prior to Paige Antics. Who knows? Maybe Satchel Paige later stole a page from the Book of Rube. Twenty years prior to Paige, Waddell enjoyed waving his teammates off the field and then striking out the side. He actually did so only in exhibition games, since the rules prohibit playing with fewer than nine men on the field in regulation play.

In a league game in Detroit, Waddell had his outfielders come in close and sit down on the grass. He struck out the side. Once the stunt almost backfired. Pitching an exhibition in Memphis, he took the field alone with his catcher, Doc Powers, for the last three innings. With two out in the ninth, Powers dropped a third strike, allowing the batter to reach first. The next two hitters patted flies that fell behind the mound. Waddell ran himself ragged but finally fanned the last man.

"Rasslin' Rube & Other Over-The-Top Tricks. Waddell wrestled alligators in Florida, hung around in firehouses, married two women who then left him, and tended bar when he wasn't the saloon's best customer. He held up the start of games he was scheduled to pitch while he played marbles with children outside the park. There was a provision in Waddell's contract barring him from eating Animal Crackers in bed. In those days, two players had to share a double bed on the road, and Ossie Schreckengost was Waddell's catcher and roommate. "Schreck wouldn't sign unless he saw that clause in Waddell's contract," said Mack, "so I wrote it in there, and the Rube stuck to it."

Peer Reactions. Though Waddell was always a fan favorite, his erratic behavior and declining effectiveness strained the tolerance of his teammates. Some threatened not to report in the spring of 1908 unless Mack got rid of him. As a result, Waddell was shipped to the Browns for cash and team peace of mind. On July 29, 1908, new Brownie Rube tied what was then the AL single-game strikeout record by fanning 16 of his former A's teammates.

April Fool Decline & Demise. By 1910 Waddell was back in the minors. He won 20 games for Joe Cantillon's Minneapolis (American Association) club in 1911. In the spring of 1912, he was staying at Cantillon's house in Hickman, Kentucky, when a nearby river flooded. Standing in icy water, Waddell helped pile sandbags on the embankments. The incident affected his health; though he went 12-6 that year, he collapsed while with Virginia (Northern League) in 1913 and landed in a sanatorium in San Antonio, Texas. He died there in 1914 - ironically, on April Fool's Day.

Rube Waddell was only 37 years old at the time of his death.

In Time, They Remembered. For several years there was no monument on Waddell's grave. The president of the San Antonio ballclub told Connie Mack and John McGraw, whose Giants trained there. They raised enough money to put up a six-foot granite marker. Waddell was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Committee on Baseball Veterans in 1946.

My thanks to "NLM" of the Baseball Library for organizing most of the facts I've chosen to use here. If you care to read that version of this report, click on to ...

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/W/Waddell_Rube.stm

As a kid, I remember reading with fascination the story of Waddell's crackers-in-bed behavior, but I never heard that they were "Animal Crackers" until now. As much as I love ferreting out the truth about historical minutiae, I will have to leave the "Saltine versus Animal" question lingering low on my list of things to find out about someday. There's too much else on my plate right now. And so little time. Besides, my imagination tells me that Rube probably never lost a moment of sleep thinking about his behavior or it's consequences to himself and others. Why should we care what kinds of crackers he ate in bed? :atthepc

Bill_McCurdy

11-11-2004, 06:44 AM

November 11, 2004: A Veterans Day Salute. On this day of honor to those who have served our country in the military, we pause to remember a former Brown who never had the chance to receive this day of national respect from a grateful nation. Bob Neighbors of the 1939 Browns is but one of those brave men who put himself in harm's way in defense of these United States during the Korean War and never returned.

On August 8, 1952, Air Force pilot Robert Neighbors was flying a mission over North Korea when his B-26 bomber was shot down. On that same day back in St. Louis, no one had any idea. In fact, it's likely that most Brownie fans at that time had no memory of the short-term shortstop from 13 years earlier. The few fans who showed up at Sportsman's Park on that day to witness another ordinary game near the end of another hopeless Browns season could have had no way of knowing what was happening a half world away on this same date.

On that fateful day in North Korea, Duane Pillette of the Browns was facing off against Bob Feller of the Cleveland Indians in a game that hardly meant a thing. The Browns were 18 games under .500 on August 8, 1952 and they were well on their way to another 7th place finish in the American League. In the end, neither Pillette nor Feller were particularly effective as the Browns lost a 10-9 slugfest to the Tribe and closed the door on another seemingly forgettable day at the yard.

Forgettable in the short term, but not forever - because of Bob Neighbors.

Neighbors was listed as missing in action when his plane failed to return to base on 8/08/52. It was not until several months following the 7/23/53 armistice in Korea that Bob Neighbors was officially declared dead. He left behind him a wife, Kitty, and a two-year old son, Cameron.

In the year 2000, on the 50th anniversary of the Korean War, Commissioner Bud Selig paid tribute to 100 men who had traded in their major league flannels for military service in Korea. As he spoke to the group who had assembled to honor those Korean veterans, Selig's words touched eloquence.

"Major Neighbors hailed from a family that embodied the admirable ethic of service to country," Selig told the gathering. Then, speaking directly about Bob Neighbors, the Commissioner's attention turned to a career Air Force man in the crowd. "Cam, I thank you for all that you, your father and your family have done for your country."

The recipient of Selig's praise was Cameron Neighbors, a career Air Force man - and the son of the late Bob Neighbors. That little two-year old who lost his father in Korea had grown up to be a military man too.

Bob Neighbors' time in the big leagues back in 1939 had amounted only to 7 games, 11 official times at bat, and 2 hits - one a homer at Fenway Park. He is remembered today for a much more significant home run - the one he hit for his country and, by example, for his son.

God bless you, in memoriam, on this Veteran's Day, Bob Neighbors. May we never forget you and those who have served our country with courage and valor.

Source material for this article was excerpted from a beautifully written and much more detailed account of Bob Neighbors' life in the current Fall 2004 issue of Pop Flies, the newsletter of the St. Louis Browns Historical Society. That beautiful tribute to Bob Neighbors was written by Ronnie Joyner.

November 11, 1953: First The Browns. Now Marion. The ownership of the "new" Baltimore Orioles continues to erase ties with their historic past. In a move which surprises few, the Orioles hire amiable Jimmy Dykes as their first fiekd mentor. Dykes, who recently was released as the manager of the Philadelphia Athletics, succeeds St. Louis icon Marty Marion as the manager of the Baltimore Orioles.

Reference link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/NOVEMBER11.stm

Bill_McCurdy

11-12-2004, 05:27 AM

November 12, 2004: Former Brown To Be Honored Tonight. Infielder Debs Garms, who broke into the majors with the St. Louis Browns in 1932, is scheduled for for posthumous induction tonight into the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame in Houston. Garms. most noable achievement came in 1940 when he won the National League batting title as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Born June 26, 1908, the Bangs, Texas native joins seven previously recognized Browns in the Hall. Please note that Dizzy Dean makes this list only because of his one-game publicity stunt appearance on the mound for the 1947 Browns. That being said, other former Brownie members of the TBHOF and their induction years include: Tex Shirley (1981), Rogers Hornsby (1983), Sam West (1983), Bob Muncrief (1984), Dizzy Dean (1987), Jerry Witte (1992), and Frank Mancuso (2003).

Here's a link to the Houston Chronicle coverage of the induction ceremony. ...

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2897269

November 12, 1936: New Brownie Owners Have Big Plans. Three years after the death of Phil Ball, wealthy owner of the St. Louis Browns, his estate sells the team to a syndicate headed by Donald L. Barnes and William O. DeWitt. As the new owners of Sportsman's Park, Barnes and DeWitt their announce plans to install lights and bring night baseball to the American League. It is an idea that is wholly endorsed by the Cardinals as well. With the progressive Branch Rickey at the helm of the Redbird brain trust, one would expect nothing less.

Today's reference link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/NOVEMBER12.stm

Bill_McCurdy

11-13-2004, 06:37 AM

November 13, 2004: Happy Birthday, Jim Delsing! :clapping

Former Browns outfielder Jim Delsing, born in 1925, is 79 years old on this date in Browns history. Jim Delsing is best remembered as the pinch runner in 1951 for midget Eddie Gaedel. Delsing hit .300 several times in the minors and made the Northern League, Pacific Coast League, and American Association all-star teams. His best big league batting average was .288 with the 1953 Tigers. His son Jim is a member of the PGA golf tour.

Too bad there was no videotape available on August 19, 1951 when Delsing took over for Gaedel as the runner at first following the little guy's laughable, but most memorable walk in baseball history. Word is that Gaedel gave Delsing the traditional pat on the butt for relieving him of his duties as a runner. Now that would've been a moment of record, especially if it had included the look on Jim Delsing's face when he received that supportive salutation from his fiesty, albeit vertically challenged teammate! :eek:

November 13, 1963: Former Browns Player & Manager Ruel Dies. Muddy Ruel died today at the age of 67. The native St. Louisan broke into the big leagues as a 19 year old catcher for the 1915 Browns, but he had the inglorious distinction of going 0 for 14 with 5 walks and 5 strikeouts in his total times at bat.

Ruel made it back to the big leagues with the Yankees (1917-20) and Red Sox (1921-22), but he really came into his own with the Senators (1923-31) before going to the Tigers in a trade in 1931. Ruel then saw part time service with the Tigers (1932), Browns (1933), and White Sox (1934) before retiring as an active player. He finished with a .275 BA in 1,461 games, and he left the game as a veteran of two World Series appearances with the Senators in 1924-25. Ruel returned to the Browns as their 1947 manager, but his one year at the helm produced only a 59-95 club and another last place finish for the St. Louis American League club.

What's in a nickname? "Muddy" picked up his nickname as a boy, improvising a messy game using a mud ball. He became one of baseball's most diversified participants, working jobs that ranged from star catcher to assistant to Commissioner Happy Chandler. Ruel was smart. He acquired a law degree from Washington University, and was later admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Ruel's best offensive year was 1923, when he hit .316 and collected 142 hits for the Washington Senators.

today's reference link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/R/Ruel_Muddy.stm

Bill_McCurdy

11-14-2004, 06:29 AM

November 14, 1963: Oscar Melillo Dies at 64. Oscar "Ski" Melillo died today at the age of 64. The Browns 2nd baseman from 1926 through an early season trade in 1935, Melillo had his best year in 1931 when he collected 189 hits and registered a .306 batting average. Oscar played out the balance of his career (1935-37) with the Boston Red Sox, finishing with 1,316 career hits and a career batting average of .260.

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/photos/headshots/Melillo_Oscar.gif
"He fought to the fin-itch,
Cause he ate his spinach!"

Melillo's career, and life, were threatened by Bright's disease, an often fatal kidney inflammation. He doggedly stuck to a doctor's prescribed diet of spinach, and nothing but spinach, until cured. That commitment allowed the fellow they already called "Ski" for the usual anatomical reasons to acquire the second nickname of "Spinach." He must have missed out on the name of "Popeye" by hitting the public eye prior to the great popularity of the spinach-empowered cartoon sailor man.

A smooth-fielding second baseman, Melillo was a Browns regular for nearly a decade. He later became a popular big league coach, serving as a loyal lieutenant to Lou Boudreau with the Indians, Red Sox, and A's.

Bill_McCurdy

11-15-2004, 03:31 AM

November 15, 1939: Barely There, But Not Forgotten. Former Brown Tom Richardson died today in Onawa, Iowa at the age of 56. Richardson was born in Louisville, Illinois on August 7, 1883. In between those two dates, little else is publicly known in baseball annals about a man who was the Brownie equivalent of Moonlight Graham. Unlike the fabled Giant Graham, who only had the chance for one half inning of defensive play in right field as his only major league experience, Richardson actually got a time at bat in his only trip to the plate for the 1917 Browns. Whereas, Graham's lore finally earned him full development as a quasi-fictional character in the movie, Field of Dreams, the mystery of Richardson's story has gone unexplored - until now - as far as I know. Perhaps someone has written about him previously and I just missed it.

Who was Tom Richardson? How did he get to the majors in 1917 via the Browns? Why did he only get one time at bat before he disappeared forever from the landscape of big league ball? I wish we knew. All I have to go on are the minimal lines afforded him in Macmillan's Baseball Encyclopedia. They don't tell us much, but anything is something when you start with nothing.

Richardson is listed as a righthanded hitter and thrower who stood six feet tall and weighed 190 pounds. That tells us something. It says that he was a big man for his era. A lot of players in that pre-1920 era stood far short of the old benchmark on tallness of six feet.

The fact that Macmillan's lists no position for Richardson tells us that his one plate appearance was as a pinch hitter. If he had played a single moment in the field, the encyclopedia would've given him note. It didn't happen for this Tom.

What did Tom do with his one opportunity? Well, he didn't get a hit, but they didn't strike him out either. That tells us that he was capable of making contact with the ball, but how much contact, we have no idea. It might've been nothing more than a squibber-nick that landed fair - only to be quickly grabbed by an alert catcher and rammed into the ribs of a novice hitter. It also could've been a smash that drove the left fielder way back for a home run robbing catch, but that's less likely. If Tom Richardson had been capable of that kind of pop in his first time at bat, there most surely would've been a second chance.

In the end, we don't know where Richardson hit the ball, or how hard he hit it. Even though he was "oh for one" in his career, we don't even know if they got him out. After all, he may have been safe on an error or fielder's choice.

One final, but blatant clue remains before us. - Richardson was 34 years old when he got his one shot at bat - with no "BB"s or "K"s to extend or further define his talent as a hitter. - What was a 34 year old doing in this spot? To answer that question, we have to remember that this was the Browns for whom "One AB" Richardson played for. (I just gave Tom a much needed nickname.) Even in the days which far preceded the coming of showman Bill Veeck, maybe this was "One Lucky Fan Gets To Hit Day!" at Sportsman's Park. ;)

At any rate, thanks for dying on this otherwise big hole of a date in Browns history, Tom "One AB" Richardson. It gave me something to write about - and it gave all of us plenty to wonder about - even if it is - much adieu about nothing. :atthepc

Bill_McCurdy

11-16-2004, 06:54 AM

November 16, 2004: A Brownie Profile: Clint Courtney. They called him "Scrap Iron" - and for good reason. The fiesty bespectacled catcher, the first receiver to wear glasses, earned a fearless, if not always intelligent reputation as a constant battler.

http://thm-b.search.vip.re2.yahoo.com/image/491458906

I first saw Courtney play when he caught for the 1950 AA Texas League regular season champion Beaumont Roughnecks. Beaumont lost in the first round of the Shaughnessy Playoffs that year to the eventual Texas League champions, the San Antonio Missions, who just happened to be the Browns farm club in that minor league circuit. Frank Saucier of the Missions, the man who became famous the following year as the only fellow to have a midget pinch hit for him, was the batting champion of the Texas League in 1950 with a .343 mark.

The 1950 Beaumont club featured another famous future star in Gil McDougald, who would go on to become the first member of the Roughneck club to earn consecutive Sporting News Rookie of The Year honors by taking the award as a member of the 1951 Yankees. McDougald led the 1950 Texas League with 187 hits.

Clint Courtney would win the 1952 honors as American League Rookie of the Year honors and there was a definite Beaumont connection to that story from the start. By 1952, Rogers Hornsby was now the manager of the Browns. Two years earlier, he had managed Courtney at Beaumont in the Yankee chain. At Hornsby's insistence, the Browns obtained Courtney from New York in a Nov. 23, 1951 trade for pitcher Jim McDonald. It was one of those rare times when the Browns got the better value in a trade with the Yankees.

Courtney hit .286 with 5 homers and 50 RBIs in 116 games for the '52 Browns to earn him The Sporting News nod as rookie of the year. Courtney could hit. He twice batted over .300 as a platoon player.

"Scrap Iron's" most famous baseball brawl came in 1953 when the Browns met the Yankees. Courtney and Phil Rizzuto collided at second base, and Billy Martin jumped on Courtney in a wild melee that nearly provoked a riot among the few fans at St. Louis. The incident produced a then American League record aggregate of $850 in fines.

Sadly, Clint Courtney died young at the age of 48 on June 16, 1975 while he was serving as manager of Richmond in the AAA International League. His death came exactly two years to the day after he was hired for the position.

Today's reference link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/C/Courtney_Clint.stm

Bill_McCurdy

11-17-2004, 03:53 AM

November 17, 1953: Browns Officially Dead.

http://members.aol.com/smessin983/Halloween/99stiffsm.jpg

Today it finally happened. We all knew it was coming, but on this day, like a wave of anticlimax, it rolled onto the beaches of our minds as we had expected - and we barely felt the ripple. The newspapers hardly said a thing about it either. The obituaries had been written some months ago. Today the St. Louis Browns officially became the Baltimore Baseball Club Inc. In the process, the Baltimore franchise board officially changed its name to the Orioles.

R.I.P.S.L.B

Today's reference link ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/cgi-bin/today/todays.pl

westsidegrounds

11-17-2004, 02:29 PM

[[B]What did Tom do with his one opportunity?

He made it onto the AL leaderboard for 1917, as it happens: Number Ten in the "Oldest Player" category (baseballreference.com, going by "age at start of season", lists him as 33).

He was however only the third oldest player on that '17 SLB team, after Gettysburg Eddie Plank (41) and Jimmy Austin (37).

Bill_McCurdy

11-18-2004, 05:36 AM

November 18, 1947: Fire Sale in Brownsville.

http://www.vintagecardtraders.org/virtual/52topps/52topps-084.jpg
SS Vern Stephens Was
A Top Dollar Commodity.

Over the course of two technically separate trades, yesterday and today, the Boston Red Sox acquire All-Star shortstop Vern Stephens, infielder Billy Hitchcock, and pitchers Jack Kramer and Ellis Kinder from the Browns - in exchange for Roy Partee, Jim Wilson, Al Widmar, Eddie Pellagrini, Pete Layden, Joe Ostrowski, Sam Dente, Clem Driesewerd, Bill Sommers, and ..... oh yeah .... $375,000. :radio

Today's Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/NOVEMBER18.stm

Baseball Library.Com presents this information as though it is only one deal. It was really two cascading, but separate trades. For additional information on the separate character of the actual two transactions made on November 17-18, 1947, please consult the trade section of MacMillan's "The Baseball Encyclopedia." Through MacMillan's, I could only account for 9 players coming to the Browns. Baseball Library.Com reports that 10 Red Sox players moved to the Browns for those fewer, but more established Brownie players - and all that moolah.

Bill_McCurdy

11-19-2004, 05:37 AM

November 19, 1952: The 50's Not All Squeaky Clean.

http://re2.mm-a.yimg.com/image/436831197
"Harridge was as shocked as I was
on the night I learned that gambling
was going on at Rick's Cafe Americain."

Maybe it was the recent election of Dwight David Eisenhower as our new president that stirred him into action today. Maybe it's simply part of the media's far-reaching conspiracy to later present the decade of the 1950s as an era of blissful innocence. Whatever the reason, American League President Will Harridge says there will be greater fines for managers who use abusive language while arguing with umpires next year.

Abusive language, Will? What on earth are you talking about? Why, anyone with any sense of history in 2004 will later know that "abusive language" didn't exist in American culture back in the 1950s. It only came along in the 1960s, along with the growth of rock 'n roll, Woodstock, and the anti-war movement.

American League managers? Using abusive language in their disagreements with umpires prior to 1953? :grouchy :eek: :grouchy

Don't make us, laugh Will. ;)

November 19, 1937: "Grab Your Coat - And Get Your Hat" (song intro): It is not a sunny day for the smiling guy who wears his cap at a jaunty angle as the St. Louis Browns hand manager Jim Bottomley his walking papers. Sunny Jim replaced Rogers Hornsby at mid-season, but posted only s 21-58 record as the Browns sunk to the bottom of the barrel with an overall record of 46 wins and 108 losses. Bottomley will be replaced at the 1938 Browns helm by another former Cardinal, Gabby Street.

Street will not be the end of the Browns' fascination with the hiring of former Cardinals, but this obsession fails to transform the Browns into winners by virtue of association with those who previously have smelled the roses in the National League with the birds-on-a-bat bunch. :atthepc

Today's reference link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/NOVEMBER19.stm

Bill_McCurdy

11-20-2004, 05:48 AM

November 20, 1934: Campbell Escapes Brownie Soup.

http://tigerscentral.com/players/c/campbell_bruce.jpg
Bruce Campbell "Escaped" Browns
To Indians, But Ended Up His Days
With the Tigers & Senators.

Outfielder Bruce Campbell hit .279 with 9 homers for the 1934 6th place St. Louis Browns. He is rewarded by the Browns today with a trade that sends him to the 3rd place Cleveland Indians for past-his-prime infielder Johnny Burnett, pitcher Bob Weiland, and, of course, that always popular addition at the end of most Brownie trades - $cash$. Weiland will go 0-2 with a 9.56 E.R.A. for the 1935 Browns. Weiland will be out of the big leagues in 1936, but he will come back in 1937 for the Cardinals as a 15 game winner in 1937 and a 16 game winner in 1938.

Campbell will hit well over .300 over the course of his first three years in Cleveland (1935-1937) and he will never hit lower than .275 in an MLB career that continues through 1942.

Just our Brownie luck, as per usual, the other club got the better talent exchange in this deal. At least we got enough cash to pay the Christmas bills.

Today's reference link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/NOVEMBER20.stm

Bill_McCurdy

11-21-2004, 06:20 AM

November 21, 1949: Veeck Opens Door To Brownie Future. Bill Veeck takes a step toward becoming the major player in the final chapter of the St. Louis Browns. Today Veeck sells the Cleveland Indians for $2.2 million dollars to a local syndicate headed by Ellis Ryan. Hank Greenberg will be the new general manager of the Tribe.

Veeck sold the Indians for only 2.2 mil??? - Yeah, I know. That was a lot more dough in 1949, but it's nothing compared to the dollar level we've reached in 2004. Changing economics and the increasing corporate structure of major league ownership simply make some things more certain in this duller era of vanishing individuality, George Steinbrenner notwithstanding.

One major certainty about the way things are in 2004 is this one, in my humble opinion. - The day of the P.T. Barnum types is pretty much done. Oh sure, there always will be owners with big egos who burst upon the baseball scene, but the big money risks involved in the 21st century corporate mindset of the game take true individual showmanship from improbability to almost virtual certainty. There will never be another owner quite like Bill Veeck.

Today's reference link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/NOVEMBER21.stm

Bill_McCurdy

11-22-2004, 06:42 AM

November 22, 1951: Ney, Ohio. Garver Mulls It Over.

http://re2.mm-a.yimg.com/image/296595722
Ned Garver Was 20-12
For The Last Place, 52-102
1951 Browns. So ... What's
That Worth, Mr. Veeck?

Browns star pitcher Ned Garver mulls over how big a raise he should get for winning 20 games and losing only 12 for the last place Browns who won only 52 games total while losing 102 on the season. In spite of Garver's heroics, the 1951 Browns finished a full 10 games behind the 7th place Washington Senators - and 46 full games behind the American League and World Series champion New York Yankees.

When Garver finally gets around to meeting with Browns owner Bill Veeck to discuss a raise for the 1952 season, he will be turned down for any increase in pay on the heels of some pristine logic offered by the wily Veeck as a plausible explanation. It supposedly was the same reasoning offered to Ralph Kiner a few years earlier when the big slugger tried to claim a raise from the 8th place Pittsburgh Pirates for his home run production.

What did Veeck supposedly tell Garver in refusing his raise request? - Now let's not always see the same hands!

Answer: "We could've finished last without you!" :crazy

My apologies. November 22nd is just another slow day of record in St. Louis Browns history.

Bill_McCurdy

11-23-2004, 03:20 AM

November 23, 1930: Mr. Touchdown, USA! At the Polo Grounds in New York today, St. Louis Browns outfielder Red Badgro, playing for the NFL New York Giants, catches a TD pass against the Green Bay Packers. It is Badgro's 3rd touchdown catch of the season, all from Benny Friedman. In 1981, Badgro will be elected to the Hall of Fame - for football, not baseball.

In baseball, Badgro was a .257 hitting outfielder for the 1929-1930 Browns in 143 games. He hit only 2 homers in 382 official career times at bat and soon gave up the National Pastime for that other sport - the one they play in the off-season with that oval pigskin they like to call a ball.

Based on results, it's obvious that Badgro made the best choice for himself. Like his celebrated two-sport contemporaries - Jim Thorpe, Ernie Nevers, and George Halas - Badgro made a much bigger name for himself as a football player. He had starred as an end at the University of Southern California who eventually played for all three of the New York football teams, the Yankees, Giants, and Dodgers, from 1927 to 1936. In 1981, he was to become the oldest man ever elected to the Professional Football Hall of Fame.

The following two versions of that old football hero song, Mr. Touchdown, USA, are dedicated to Red Badgro and all the other guys who excelled at the autumn sport - only to find that the game played with a bat, ball, and glove in the spring was a little tougher challenge.

Mr. Touchdown, USA - For Being A Great Football Player! :dance

http://re2.mm-a.yimg.com/image/230390180

They used to call him Mr. Touchdown!
They used to call him Old TD!
He could run! And he could throw!
Give him the ball and then - look at him go!

Hip! Hip! Hooray for Mr. Touchdown!
He's gonna beat 'em today!
Let's give a long, loud cheer - for the hero of the year!
Mr. Touchdown, USA!

Mr. Touchback, USA - If You Had Played Football As You Did Baseball! :crazy

http://re2.mm-a.yimg.com/image/326248878

They used to call him Mr. Touchback!
They used to call him Old TB!
He couldn't run! And he couldn't pass!
Give him the ball and he'd - fall on his ass!

No Hip-Hooray for Mr. Touchback!
He's gonna beat us today!
Let's give a long, loud jeer - for the bonehead of the year!
Mr. Touchback, USA!

Sorry, folks, I couldn't resist. Writing parodies is just one of those things I do on another slow date in Brownie history.

Bob Hannah

11-23-2004, 03:45 AM

Bill you are a great way to start the day! :laugh Halloween and Thanksgiving must spur the humorous side of you. Looking forward to St. Nick's visit!

Bill_McCurdy

11-24-2004, 05:39 AM

November 24, 1912: Future Brown Tony Giuliani Born Today.

http://www.ebbets-field.com/By%20the%20Numbers/Player%20Photos/Giuliani,%20T.jpg

Tony Giuliani As a Dodger.

His name is only remindful of the more famous politician, but there's no relation that I could find in my brief research. Angelo John (Tony) Giuliani is born today in St. Paul, Minnesota. St. Paul will remain his lifelong home. Tony will die in St. Paul on 10/08/04, about six weeks short of his 92nd birthday.

Giuliani is destined for a seven year career as a major league catcher (1936-1943), breaking in his first two years as a St. Louis Brown. Not much to write home about Tony's accomplishments along the way. Tony neither plays often nor does much in his 674 times at bat. He hits only .233 over his MLB career. He leaves the game needing only 715 more home runs to best the career mark of Babe Ruth.

Former Minnesota Twins Public Relations Director Tom Mee was quoted in the Pioneer Press on the day after Giuliani's death that "he (Tony Giuliani) was a baseball icon for the state of Minnesota. He liked to tell the story that he broke in with the Browns the same year Joe DiMaggio broke in with the New York Yankees. He said, 'Out of the two of us, one made the Hall of Fame. That's a pretty good percentage.' "

Good thinking, Tony, and one more thing. At least, you were good enough to get there and hang around for seven years. :)

Our condolences to your friends and family on the late news here of your recent passing. You obviously made enough impression on the Minnesota baseball community to escape leaving this old ballpark in total anonymity.

Baseball is fortunate for every oldtimer whose life goes into extra innings on the actuarial chart. Add Tony Giuliani to your reasons for gratitude this Thanksgiving, Brownie fans. It sounds as though he lived a life that was filled with a love of the game and a humorous appreciation for the opportunity he had as a young man. Those old guys have a way of spreading the joy and extending the bond of our game to all the rookies coming up in the younger generations.

Godspeed, Tony Giuliani. Now hit one for the rest of us down here in the minor league, will you? Not all of us have the ability to end up playing for the Yankees in this world, but it would be nice to be drafted by the Angels in the next life - when the time comes. ;)

Today's reference link ... http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=giulito01

Bill_McCurdy

11-25-2004, 07:57 AM

November 25, 2004: Thanksgiving For the Browns.

In Nineteen Hundred and Single Aught Two,
The St. Louis Browns sailed out of the blue.

To the baseball wars, we fought for fame,
But most of the time, we came up lame.

We had a few great ones, notably Sisler,
But years fell like dominos, in an endless fizzler.

While others had a ball, bringing joy to their fans,
We only had Phil Ball, who sat on his hands.

And when Ball ran Rickey - to the Cardinal Red Nation,
We were then doomed forever - to a losing situation.

We had some good guys, but we just couldn't keep 'em.
If they had any value, to the Yankees we'd sweep 'em.

And the seasons droned on, and so did the losing,
With empty stand days, and post-game boozing.

We could've been cursed, by those lonely days!
Thank God for our friends, the Senators and A's!

We came close to winning, in Nineteen Twenty-Two,
But George got hurt, and our season ended blue.

We made a run again, in Nineteen Forty-Four,
Hope took on the Cardinals, but landed on the floor.

And when Bill Veeck came on the scene, our hearts began to fidget!
Hope soared ‘cross Missouri skies, but crashed down on the midget!

In Nineteen Hundred and Fifty- Four, the St. Louis Browns - were no more.
They were gone ...... just gone. ………………………………….. gone to Baltimore.

Thanks for the memories, anyway, Brownies! And thanks for helping those of us who grew up as Browns fans to a deeper appreciation for one great life lesson that was never available to young Yankee fans. - Yankee fans only get to learn that "you can't win 'em all." Browns fans got to learn that "we will survive, even when it looks as though we may lose 'em all!"

Happy Thanksgiving Everywhere, Browns Fans! Nobody Knows Turkeys Quite As Well As We Do!

http://birding.about.com/library/graphics/0600turkey2.jpg

Aa3rt

11-25-2004, 12:16 PM

Bill, the holidays seem to bring out the best in you! I really enjoyed your Halloween offering and this was just as good. You're a regular Ogden Nash (http://www.americanpoems.com/poets/nash).

Looking forward to your Christmas posting...

Bill_McCurdy

11-26-2004, 07:21 AM

November 26, 1958: Former Brown Loses Out on AL MVP Award. The American League MVP is named today as Boston slugger Jackie Jensen, who wins out over New York's Bob Turley and Cleveland's Rocky Colavito.

http://thm-a.search.vip.scd.yahoo.com/image/287375826

Bob Turley is one of those former players whose loss by the franchise to the Yankees cannot be blamed on the St. Louis Browns. Turley and Don Larsen were Browns who came over to Baltimore with the franchise shift, but they were then packaged in a trade to the Yankees on 11/18/54 for six guys the New Yorkers were either hoping to dump or ready to move (Harry Byrd, Jim McDonald, Hal Smith, Gus Triandos, Gene Woodling, and Willie Miranda).

Bob Turley had his career year in 1958, going 21-7 with a 2.97 E.R.A. for the champion Yankees. Over a career that started with the Browns in 1951 and ended with the Red Sox in 1963, Turley never lived up to the expectation of greatness because of an arm injury, but he did finish with a respectable career record of 101-85 and a 3.64 E.R.A. Turley was 4-3 in five World Series appearances with the Yankees (1955-58, 1960). Don Larsen never became a great pitcher either, but he did have his moment in the sun during the 1956 World Series, didn't he?

World Series Perfect-Gamer Don Larsen has attended a couple of Browns Fan Club reunion banquets over the years, but Bob Turley, who is in good health and a very successful businessman, always refuses our invitations to celebrate his original association with the Browns. I guess he's just one of those guys who prefers to forget that part of his history. :mad:

Some Post Thanksgiving 2004 Refllections. Did it again yesterday. We ate too much, but the company was great. We broke holiday bread over the traditional dinner as the guests of the Witte family. The Wittes are the children and grandchildren of former Brown Jerry Witte (1946-47) who died in 2002. The Wittes are like family to me and mine. The day was wonderful as it unfolded under deep blue skies, falling autumn leaves, a 65 degree temperature, and in the company of best friends in good old Houston

On Trading Willie Miranda. Willie Miranda, who was involved in the Turley trade, only hit .221 over the course of his nine year career (1952-59). There should've been a special requirement attached to any offering of Miranda in a trade. The team attempting to move him should have been forced to tell the other club: "You have a right to remain silent." :D

Ogden Nash. I'm no Ogden Nash, Art, but I do appreciate your kind support here. I love Ogden Nash's mind. One my favorite Nash rhymes also has great application for the experience of what it's like doing baseball research for the truth, especially as it applies to our dear Browns. It can be hard going for a very long time, and then, every once in a while, you get this all-of-a-sudden-found source that brings the truth to light. None of my discoveries have been large, and most are probably no more than my own recovery from popular myth, rather than new found facts, but they are still satisfying.

The lines I'm thinking of here are the ones that Nash wrote about catsup. ...

"Shake, Shake - the catsup bottle!
None will come - and then a lot'll."

- Ogden Nash

http://www.themediadrome.com/Images/words/ogden_nash_sm.gif

Ogden Nash Himself!

Bill_McCurdy

11-27-2004, 03:12 AM

November 27, 1951: Trading Places Time.

http://www.baseball-resources.com/mail/images/RiveraJim.gif

Jim Rivera, Browns '52 Rookie,
But Not For Long.

When we can't afford a new car, we can always go to Earl Schieb and get him to paint a new face on it, can't we? I mean, it's not going to run any better, but it's going look different for a while, isn't it? When you're the St. Louis Browns, you have to do a little annual prime & paint, mix & match each winter. Otherwise, the fans may get the idea too quickly next spring that the club is heading down the same slippery slope they found so fast last season. Sometimes, and I don't know if anyone has ever thoroughly researched this factor, the Browns are simply trading for players who have been with the club previously.

Never fear, Bill Veeck is here, and he's ready to beat Earl Schieb's 1951 price of $29.95 to makeover the 1951 heap that finished dead last. Today the St. Louis Browns send catcher Sherm Lollar, pitcher Al Widmar, and infielder Tommy Upton to the Chicago White Sox for catcher Gus Niarhos, pitcher Dick Littlefield, first baseman Gordon Goldsberry, shortstop Joe DeMaestri, and a hot minor league outfield prospect named Jim Rivera.

Rivera, a favorite of Browns manager Rogers Hornsby, will have a short-lived history as another guy who broke into the big leagues with the Browns, only to go elsewhere and make a name for himself. After hitting only .256 in his 95 rookie games as a 1952 Brown, the club will trade Rivera back to the White Sox on 7/28/52, along with catcher Darrell Johnson, for catcher J.W. Porter and outfielder Ray Coleman. This 1952 trade brings Porter back for his 2nd tour of duty with the Browns. Ray Coleman returns to the Browns for his 3rd time on the roster.

Porter and Coleman are both devoted Brownie alums who have attended many of the annual May reunions in St. Louis. We need to get their take on the various revolving doors that seemed to exist among certain clubs back then. I've never sat down and talked to either man about this factor at the usually time limited social gatherings we've attended together, but I just may have to ask them about it now by mail and e-mail. :atthepc

Today's reference link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/NOVEMBER27.stm

Bill_McCurdy

11-28-2004, 05:43 AM

November 28, 1951: One Day Brownie Now Boston Bound.

http://www.1952toppsbaseballcards.com/121.jpg

Gus Niarhos Was Brown For A Day!

He came to town like a weekend tire sale at Firestone's. First you read about it. Then. the next time you give it a thought, it's over. - So it is today in the case of the one-day Brown, Gus Niarhos. The St. Louis Browns trade catcher Gus Niarhos, acquired only yesterday, to the Boston Red Sox for catcher Les Moss and outfielder Tom Wright. The team also signs shortstop Marty Marion in another one of those sign-an-old-Cardinal-whenever-you-can moves.

Tom Wright is of some note here. Wright was a backup outfielder with little power. He was used as a lefthanded pinch hitter in nearly half his big league games. Splitting 1952 between the Browns and White Sox, Wright led the American League that season with 10 pinch hits.

http://www.comicscardsandmore.com/cards/BB/55toppsbb/0120/141.JPG

Tom Wright In His Last Stop With The Sens, 1954-56.

Today's general reference link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/NOVEMBER28.stm

a Tom Wright link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/W/Wright_Tom.stm

Bill_McCurdy

11-29-2004, 05:50 AM

November 29, 1962: Red Kress Dies at 55.

http://www.thedeadballera.com/Cards/KressRed1933Goudey.jpg

Red Kress Had A Whole Lotta
Wrong Time, Wrong Place Luck!

After serving the 1962 season as one of manager Casey Stengel's coaches on the maiden voyage of the Bad Ship Mets, former Brown Red Kress dies today in Los Angeles of a heart attack at age 55.

Red's baseball life was a mixture of good hitting, Jekyll & Hyde fielding, bum luck, lots of heart, and plenty of resilience. During his early years as a St. Louis Brown (1927-31), Kress hit well, posting full-season averages of .305 in 1929, .313 in 1930, and .311 in 1931. Kress also posted over 100 RBIs in each of those plus .300 batting years.

In the field, Red Kress led American League shortstops in 1929, but then turned around the next year and led the league in errors in 1930. The Browns moved him from shortstop in 1931 so Jim Levey could take over. Levey, in turn, led the league in errors. Gotta be the uniform, right?

In 1932, St. Louis traded Kress to the White Sox just as the Chicagoans were getting ready to start a young rookie from North Carolina by the name of Luke Appling. Kress adapted to playing wherever he was needed. Red was dealt to the Senators in early 1934. All he faced there as his competition at shortstop was manager Joe Cronin, another future Hall of Famer.

Kress spent 1937 in Minneapolis of the American Association, hitting .330 and leading shortstops in total chances, the Browns reacquired him. Played at short, he responded by hitting .302 and leading the league in fielding. Traded to Detroit in 1939, he broke his leg during the season. In 1940, the pennant-bound Tigers released the destiny-flawed Kress.

Red Kress hung in there long enough to collect 1,454 hits and a .286 average for his major league career. Red Kress survived a lot of adversity in his time, but he had learned to recognize new baseball versions of the Titanic better than most. By the time of his death, Kress had tendered his resignation from another year with the expansion Mets.

Enough was enough. - Right, Red? :atthepc

Today's reference link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/K/Kress_Red.stm

Bill_McCurdy

11-30-2004, 05:27 AM

November 30, 1897: Win Ballou Born in Mount Morgan, KY.
Win Ballou will begin his big league baseball career on August 24, 1925 with the Washington Senators. Ballou will compile a 19-20 record in four seasons with the Senators, Browns, and Brooklyn Robins (1925-29). Ballou will go 16-16 in his two seasons as a Brown (1926-27).

November 30, 1892: Josh Billings Born in Grantville, KS.
Former Browns catcher Josh Billings (1919-23) was born today, Wednesday, November 30, 1892. He will play college baseball at Oklahoma A&M and will go on to a major league career, breaking in on September 9, 1913 with the Cleveland Naps. Cleveland will trade Billings to the Browns in March 1919 in exchange for another catcher, Les Nunamaker. All told, Billings will play for 11 seasons on 3 different teams and end his big league playing career in 1923. He will hit only .217 over the course of his career, but the scarcity of news on this date in Browns history will get him a mention on this thread on what would've been his 112th birthday, November 30, 2004.

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/photos/headshots/Billings_Josh.gif

Happy Birthday,
Josh Billings!

When other news fails,
This thread I'll not forsake.
I'll just go searching,
For a birthday cake.

If I can't find a date,
When a Brownie was born,
I'll turn my research,
For a date to mourn.

Browns Forever - Coming and Going. :lookitup

Bill_McCurdy

12-01-2004, 06:20 AM

December 1, 1949: BrowniEnomics in Full Bloom.

http://www.sterlingtrades.com/graphics/p290022.jpg
MUST SELL: '49 Paul Lehner;
high mileage, but reliable; tends
to run hot tempered, but never
gives up. Will sacrifice for other
player if right deal also includes
$100,000 cash. Call S.L. Browns
in St. Louis & make best offer.

What do normal people do when they are out of work for a very long time and they are dependent upon their personal auto to look for a new job? Why, of course, they sell their cars to pay their utility bills. Now they can't hope to find work, but they will be able to sit home alone with some heat and enough light to read the want ads.

Such is the apparent situation with the St. Louis Browns. The 1949 season closes with attendance in the Major Leagues at 20.2 million, down from 20.9 in 1948. The New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians each finish with over 2.2 million, but the Browns fall to 270,936. Chronically "underemployed" for years, the Browns are again ready ro sell the "family cars" to pay expenses.

The Browns hope to cover their light attendance with $200,000 obtained in cash in December sales of Bob Dillinger, Gerry Priddy, and Paul Lehner. The Browns get five players in the transactions, but they are not guys to inspire hope or spur ticket sales for the 1950 season.

Here's how the trade/sales will go down in the middle of December 1949:

On 12/13/49, infielder Bob Dillinger and outfielder Paul Lehner will be traded to the Philadelphia Athletics for Ray Coleman, Frankie Gustine, Billy DeMars, minor league outfielder Ray Ippolito and $100,000 in cash.

On 12/14/49, infielder Gerry Priddy will be traded to the Detroit Tigers for pitcher Lou Kretlow and $100,000 in cash.

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/DECEMBER1.stm

Bill_McCurdy

12-02-2004, 03:53 AM

December 2, 1936: Browns Acquire Ethan Allen in Revolutionary Purchase.

http://www.americanrevwar.homestead.com/files/allen.jpg
This particular Ethan Allen Never
Played for the Browns, Although
He Looks in Shape To Do So.

In a rare reversal of the usual player/money flow, the St. Louis Browns buy veteran outfielder Ethan Allen from the Chicago Cubs today for an undisclosed amount of cash. Allen will hit .316 in 103 games for the 1937 Browns and go 10 for 33 (.303) at the finish of his career in St. Louis during the 1938 season. Over the course of his Punch and Judy 13-year MLB career (1926-38), Allen will hit .300 on the button for the Reds, Giants, Cardinals, Phillies, Cubs, and Browns. Did I say Punch and Judy? Allen finishes as a Brown with a career total of only 47 homers in 4,418 official times at bat.

After his playing career, Allen joined the list of several other bright baseball minds who spent time as the head coach at Yale. That list includes Smoky Joe Wood, Red Rolfe, Ken MacKenzie, Joe Benanto and John Stuper. A bright, articulate man, Ethan Allen also served as the motion picture director for the National League, and also authored several books and pamphlets on baseball playing techniques. Get a load of Allen's bibliography. It's pretty darn impressive, but some of those titles obviously are unrelated to Allen's brief time with the Browns. Read on to discover the obvious.

The Bibliography of Ethan Allen.

(1.) Major League Baseball by Allen, Ethan. Hardbound Book (New York: Macmillan Co., 1938)

(2.) Major League Baseball: Techniques and Tactics by Allen, Ethan. Hardbound Book (New York: The Macmillan Co., 1939) -- 253 pages.

(3.) Winning Baseball by Allen, Ethan. Paperbound Book (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1942)

(4.) Want to Be a Baseball Champion? by Allen, Ethan. Pamphlet/Booklet (General Mills, 1946)

(5.) Baseball Techniques Illustrated by Allen, Ethan, designed; illustrated by Tyler Michaleau. Hardbound Book (New York: A.S. Barnes And Co., 1951) -- 95 pages

(6.) Baseball: Major League Techniques and Tactics by Allen, Ethan. Hardbound Book (New York: The Macmillan Co., 1953) -- 322 pages.

(7.) How to Play Baseball by Allen, Ethan. Pamphlet/Booklet (Quaker Oats Co., 1954)

(8.) Winning Baseball by Allen, Ethan. Hardbound Book (New York: The Ronald Press, 1956) -- 96 pages

(9.) Baseball Play and Strategy by Allen, Ethan. Hardbound Book (New York: The Ronald Press, 1959) -- 356 pages

(10.) Batting and Bunting by Allen, Ethan. Pamphlet/Booklet (Coca Cola Co., Prentice-Hall, 1961)

(11.) Baseball Play and Strategy by Allen, Ethan. Hardbound Book (New York: The Ronald Press, 1964) -- 371 pages.

(12.) Batting and Bunting by Allen, Ethan. Paperbound Book (New York: Scholastic Book Services, 1968) -- 93 pages

(13.) Batting and Bunting by Allen, Ethan. Pamphlet/Booklet (Triangle Press, 1975) -- 12 pages.

Baseball's Ethan Allen was born on January 1, 1904. He died on September 15, 1993, just 3 1/2 months short of his 90th birthday. Allen came and went quietly, like the gentleman and scholar that he was to the bone - a real student of the game - and a man who never tired of learning and teaching. :atthepc

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/DECEMBER2.stm

westsidegrounds

12-02-2004, 12:14 PM

December 2, 1936: Browns Acquire Ethan Allen in Revolutionary Purchase.

And on top of everything else he invented:

Bill_McCurdy

12-03-2004, 05:59 AM

December 3, 1940: Browns Buy Galehouse, Ostermueller.
http://re2.mm-c.yimg.com/image/930393380

Flanked by George McQuinn & Gene Moore,
Denny Galehouse Celebrates His 1944 World
Series Win Over the St. Louis Cardinals.

(Apologies for the photo size, but the source would only allow a copy of the thumbnail picture. That's appropriate. It's a small picture of a small moment in World Series history, but big for the Browns.) ;)

The St. Louis Browns purchase pitchers Denny Galehouse and Fritz Ostermueller from the Boston Red Sox for an undisclosed amount of cash in each case. The deals are actually separate purchases on one tab - sort of like going to the grocery store and buying two lemons, instead of one.

Denny Galehouse will go 50-58 in six seasons in St. Louis. He also posts a 1-1 record for the Browns in the 1944 World Series. Galehouse beat Mort Cooper and the Cardinals in the 1944 World Series opener, but lost, 2-0, in a Game Five rematch. During much of the '44 season, Galehouse served the Browns as a Sunday pitcher while working weekdays in an Akron, Ohio war plant. He gave up his factory job late in the season to be more involved in the Browns run for their only American League pennant.

Years later, on June 20, 1947, the Browns will sell Galehouse back to the Red Sox. This last move of his career sets up Galehouse for a dubious role in history. During his 1948 season with the Red Sox, Galehouse will lose the one-shot, pennant playoff game to Cleveland, 8-3, as a surprise starter. It will become a memorable last major league decision. If the category on Jeopardy were Baseball Blunders, and the clue was "Joe McCarthy's Big Mistake," the acceptable response would be: "Who was Denny Galehouse?"

Overall, Galehouse will finish his MLB career (1934-49) with a record of 109-118. Born on December 11, 1914, Galehouse will die on October 14, 1998, just two months shy of his 84th birthday.

Fritz Ostermueller will play a far less prominent role in Browns history. The lefty will go 3-6 with St. Louis (1941-43) before he is dealt to Brooklyn with another lefty pitcher, Archie McKain, on June 15, 1943 for one of baseball's great traveling men, pitcher Bobo Newsom.

December 3, 1901: Official Birthdate of the St. Louis Browns!

http://bandbbrowniefactory.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/PB191693.JPG.w300h225.jpg
Holiday Brownies! Baked Just In Time
For The 1901 St. Louis Baseball Fans!

At their league meeting, the Milwaukee franchise is officially dropped from the American League and is replaced by the St. Louis Browns. :clapping

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/DECEMBER3.stm

Bill_McCurdy

12-04-2004, 07:09 AM

December 4, 1952: Browns Get Virgil Trucks!

http://www.tigershistory.com/players/t/trucks_virgil.jpg
"Why, He Wouldn't
Even Harm A Fly!"

The Browns go Tiger hunting today and end up bagging a big one. Detroit trades the fiery fireballer Virgil Trucks, along with pitcher Hal White and outfielder Johnny Groth, to the Browns for second baseman Owen Friend, outfielder Bob Nieman, and outfielder/catcher J.W. Porter.

The trade amazed many. In 1952, Trucks tossed a pair of no-hitters against the Senators and the Yankees. Along with the likes of Johnny Vander Meer, Allie Reynolds, and Nolan Ryan, Virgil became one of only four pitchers in baseball history to record two no-nos in a single season. Prior to his MLB career, however, Virgil Trucks was no stranger to no-hit games. He also had four no-hitters in the minors and a near-miss with the White Sox in 1954.

Other interesting notes on Trucks abound. He was righthanded pitcher with speed and control. He got out of the military in 1945 just in time to appear in the World Series against the Cubs. He won, 4-1, after pitching in only one game during the regular season. If memory serves, Trucks is the only player in major league history to start a World Series game without having won even a single game during the regular season.

Trucks' tenure with the Browns was brief. After a decade in Detroit, Trucks arrived in Chicago via St. Louis in 1954. Frank Lane sent Lou Kretlow and $95,000 to Bill Veeck for Trucks and Bob Elliott.

Trucks once compiled eight straight wins on the way to his first and only 20-victory season in 1953. Ironically, that was the year he played for two clubs. After starting out with a mediocre 5-4 record in 1953, the Browns made the trade with the White Sox. Trucks proceeded to catch fire in Chicago, going 15-6 with the Pale Hose in '53 to finish the year at 20-10 overall.

Virgil's career began to flunder after his 13-8 season with the White Sox in 1955. He returned to the Tigers in 1956, but was only good for a 6-5 mark in 22 games. After posting a 9-7 mark with the Kandsas City A's in 1957, he was dealt to the Yankees early in 1958. He wound up his career as a spot starter and relief man in another of their pennant runs.

Much to Virgil's chagrine, he was not included on the Yankees' 1958 World Series roster. That slight may have been the last straw he needed to make the decision to retire. At age 39, the long career of Virgil Trucks (1941-1958) was over. He finished with a career record of 177-135 and an E.R.A. of only 3.39, Add to the lustre of Virgil Trucks the fact that he did it pitching most of the time with mediocre to bad ballclubs.

I had the pleasure of meeting Virgil Trucks in St. Louis the one year he came to a Browns reunion. I think the year was 1997. At any rate, Virgil was a quiet, friendly, and soft-spoken man - hardly the tough guy demon that his cartoon image once portrayed him to be through the media. Still, I couldn't resist some lighthearted questioning of Trucks about an incident that occurred back on August 19, 1951. Trucks and the Tigers were in St. Louis that day to play the Browns. Of course, you Brownie fans will recognize that date immediately. That was the day that Bill Veeck sent the vertically challenged Eddie Gaedel into hit against Bob Cain of the Tigers. Cain walked his midget adversary on four pitches - and apparently tried his best to make sure that none of his pitches got away and hurt the little Brownie batter.

"Virgil," I said to Trucks during our brief visit in the banquet hotel lobby, "I've always heard that Gaedel would have been in real trouble, had you been pitching that day for Detroit. A lot of people out there seem to think you would've drilled him. Do you mind me asking you for the truth here? Is that true? Would you have drilled Gaedel?

Virgil smiled slyly and then looked me straight in the eye. "Tell me something," Virgil asked in that softspoken southern voice, "do I really look like the kind of guy who would want to hurt a little fellow like that?"

That was the best answer I could get. :D

Today's reference link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/DECEMBER4.stm

Bill_McCurdy

12-05-2004, 06:52 AM

December 5, 1916: Len (Who Dat?) Schulte Is Born.

http://www.taildraggerrocks.com/jon_ellis/images/web%20pics%205/JE_yawns.JPG
"Don't stop now! Please Tell me more
about the Browns career of Len Schulte!!"

OK, maybe Len Schulte didn't do all that much, but he was a Brown once and, this morning, he helps us fill in a fairly blank page in the club's recorded and most easily accessible history.

Len Schulte was born on Tuesday, December 5, 1916 in St. Charlies, Missouri. He began his brief big league career on September 27, 1944 with the St. Louis Browns, going hitless in his single official time at bat. He did draw a walk in his other plate appearance. The following year, 1945, Len got into 119 games as a utility infielder for the Browns, playing 71 games at 3rd base, 37 games at 2nd base, and 14 games at shortstop. He collected 106 hits for a .247 average, but showed no power. Of his total hits, 89 were singles and 16 were doubles. 1 triple found its way to the wall, but zero homers sprang from his porous, shock-absorbing bat.

By 1946, Schulte was finished after going 2 for 5. The return of talent from World War II, even for the Browns, gave the club better choices for its roster, and so, the 29-year old Schulte was ingloriously cut. He would never make it back for another day in the big leagues.

Born as "Leonard Bernard Schultehenrich" with a name about as memorable as his career, Schulte died on May 6, 1986 in Orlando, Florida at the age of 69. It should be noted that Len's older brother, Ham Schulte, also had a short-term big league career. Ham played a full season as an infielder with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1940, hitting only .237 as an infielder in 120 games. That one year was also the only shot that Ham ever got at the big leagues. I'm not sure if it was World War II or that .237 BA that got Ham, but one or the other did. :waving

a Len Schulte reference link ... http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=schulle01

December 5th Deaths. 1951 outfielder Cliff Mapes died on this date in 1996 at the age of 74. Mapes joined the Browns from the Yankees in a July 31, 1951 trade for Lou Sleater *, Bobby Hogue, Kermit Wahl, and Tom Upton. Mapes hit .274 in 56 games for the '51 Browns, but was later traded on Valentine's Day of 1952 to the Detroit Tigers for pitcher Gene Bearden.

The trade of Mapes to the Browns did two things for the Yankees: (1.) it opened a space for the return of Mickey Mantle; and (2.) it freed up uniform # 7 for Mantle's use. Mapes had been #7 with the Yankees, but he will be remembered by few for that trivial fact beyond the well-informed walls of this St. Louis Browns forum.

http://www.tigershistory.com/players/m/mapes_cliff.jpg
Cliff Mapes Hit .248 In Career
That Included 2 World Series
Appearances With The Yankees.

* Sleater Trade Mystery. MacMillan's Baseball Encyclopedia shows this trade as reported above, but it does not resolve well with lefty Lou Sleater's individual record in the same Seventh Edition volume. Sleater's individual record shows him going 1-9 with the 1951 Browns and making no appearances with the '51 Yankees. The trade section of Volume 7 does show Sleater going from the Browns to the Senators in 1952, along with infielder Freddy Marsh, in exchange for infielder Cass Michaels. That trade is reported for May 12, 1952. :ughh

No different light is shed on this mystery by any of the other trade and record sources in my memory, my library, or the web. So, if Sleater was traded to the Yankees on July 31, 1951, why does he never appear in a game for New York that same year? Was he hurt? Or was the Sleater part of this trade somehow voided? There is no explanation in MacMillan's of Sleater being moved back to St. Louis by New York, even though he obviously remains Browns property at the start of the 1952 season. If anyone has an explanation here, please post it on this thread.

Jim Duggan, a cup-of-coffee 1st baseman, also died on this date in 1951 at the age of 66. Duggan went 0 for 4 in his only big league start with the 1915 Browns.

Death reference link ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/cgi-bin/today/today2S.pl

To make up for today's gripping material, it is my wish that all of you will find something interesting to do today. :atthepc

Bill_McCurdy

12-06-2004, 06:42 AM

December 6, 1882 & 1965: Variations On A Theme.

Lou: "Who's On First? And What's The Name of The Catcher?"

Bud: "Yes, Who's Usually On First, But What's on Second! Rowan's Playing for Who Today! And The Catcher is Crossin!"

Lou: "Wait Just A Minute, Bud! If He's Crossin' Behind The Plate, Doesn't That Make It Kind of Hard For Him To Catch The Pitches? And Who's Catching Anyway?"

Bud: "Who's Not Catching! - Who's Ordinarily On First, but today He's Rowan!"

Lou: "What? Rowin'? This Browns Team Has Got Catchers That Cross? And First Sackers That Row? - What Is This - The American League or the Yale Regatta?"

Bud: "What's neither. What's On Second!"

http://www.phoenix5.org/humor/images/ACBaseball.jpg

Births: Dave Rowan / Born 12/06/1882. Talk about your one-month wonders! Dave Rowan was born as "David Drohan" in 1882 in Elora, Ontario. As a 29-year old rookie back in 1911, the guy finally made it to the big leagues as an all-lefty first baseman with the Browns and - what a firecracker career he had! From May 27th through June 22nd, the 6'11'', 175 pound first sacker got into 18 games and, did he ever make the most of them! Rowan didn't have much power, but he went 25 for 65 for a .385 BA and a SA of .431. His 25 hits included only 1 double and 1 triple, but he scored 7 runs and knocked in 11. After 06/22/11, Rowan disappears from the Browns and the big leagues for good. Was the sudden cutoff due to injury, replacement, personal problems? We will never know without deeper research.

Dave Rowan died in Toronto on 7/30/55 at the age of 72. We're thinking of you this morning, Dave. That was quite a month you had back in 1911.

Deaths: Frank Crossin / Died 12/06/65 in Kingston, PA at the age of 74. From Rowan to Crossin, we go from one-month wonder to makes-you-wonder. In a Browns career that lasted from 09/24/12 to 08/08/14, Crossin appeared in 55 games as a back up catcher and pinch hitter. He went 17 for 116, with only 1 double, 1 triple, and 0 homers. He scored 2 runs and also knocked in only a paltry 2. That output translated into a .147 BA and a SA of only .172. Whereas, we must wonder why Rowan went so soon, we also have to wonder - how did Crossin last so long?

Frank Crossin was born in Avondale, PA on 06/15/1891. Judging from his death in nearby Kingston, PA, we are left with only simple conclusions. In geography and baseball, Frank Crossin was never destined to go far.

Your baseball playing still took you further than most, Frank. This morning we pay tribute to you as a part of the history that is the St. Louis Browns. :atthepc

Today's reference link ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/cgi-bin/today/today2S.pl

Bill_McCurdy

12-07-2004, 05:41 AM

December 7th: Another Milestone Day.

Births:

Albert Sayles "Hobe" Ferris. was born on Friday, December 7, 1877 in Providence, RI. Hobie began his big league baseball career on April 26, 1901 with the Boston American League club. Ferris played nine seasons for two different clubs, ending his major league playing career as a Brown after playing for St. Louis during the 1908-09 seasons. Ferris hit .270 and .216 as an infielder for the Browns, finishing his career with a BA of .239. He died in Detroit on March 18, 1938 at the age of 60.

Dennis Ward "Denny" Galehouse was born on Thursday, December 7, 1911 in Marshallville, Ohio. He began his big league career on April 30, 1934 with the Cleveland Indians. Galehouse 15 seasons for 3 different teams, ending his big league playing career in 1949. Galehouse was a St. Louis Brown righthanded pitcher from 1941-47. (See material of December 3rd for further information on Denny's career.) Galehouse finished with a record of 109-118 and an E.R.A. of 3.97. His record as a Brown was 50-58. Denny Galehouse died in Doylestown, Ohio on October 14, 1998 at the age of 86, and closing hard on 87.

Deaths:

http://www.tigerscentral.com/allstar/newson.jpg
Bobo Newsom: Baseball's
Most Traveled Warrior.

Louis Norman "Bobo" Newsom passed away on December 7, 1962 in Orlando, Florida at the age of 55. For a man who died at a relatively young age, he had done a lot baseball-living in his time. Born on Sunday, August 11, 1907 in Hartsville, South Carolina, Newsom enjoyed what may have been the only day in his life where he spent a whole 24 hours in one place. The life of the Bobo was to be a life on the move.

The 20-year big league veteran began his MLB baseball career on September 11, 1929 with the Brooklyn Robins. Before his big league career ends in 1953, Newsom will have played for 9 of the then existing 16 big league clubs, including multiple tours of duty with several teams. Newsom was a Brown on three separate occasions, but he was a Washington Senator five different times.

Newsom will finish his league career with a record of 211 wins, 222 losses, and an E.R.A. of 3.98. The real story of Bobo Newsom will be his longevity and resilience - and almost never-ending demand by certain clubs as that one final piece of their pitching puzzle. The following is a timeline on Bobo's big league clubs, with his tours of duty added to each:

(1.) Brooklyn Robins/Dodgers: 1929-30; 1942-43
(2.) Chicago Cubs: 1932
(3.) St. Louis Browns:1934-35; 1938-39; 1943
(4.) Washington Senators: 1935-37; 1942; 1943; 1946-47; 1952
(5.) Boston Red Sox: 1937
(6.) Detroit Tigers: 1939-41
(7.) Philadelphia Athletics: 1944-46; 1952-53
(8.) New York Yankees: 1947
(9.) New York Giants: 1948

Today's reference link ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/cgi-bin/today/today2S.pl

Bill_McCurdy

12-08-2004, 04:31 AM

December 8, 1941: Pearl Harbor Bombs Browns Move To LA.
One day after Pearl Harbor, American League owners deny permission to St. Louis Browns owner Don Barnes to move his financially bleeding franchise to Los Angeles. Much as the few loyal Browns fans hate to see it, many do not blame Barnes for wanting to move. The Browns have been failing at the gate for several years now and sorely losing their competition for the hearts of St. Louisans to the same town Cardinals. Attendance figures for 1941 show the Browns drawing only 176,240 fans to the Cardinals' 633,645.

We will never know how a move of the Browns to Los Angeles would've felled the dominos of other franchise relocation, but these results seem logical as probabilities: (1.) The Browns would not have remained alone on the West Coast for long. Team travel would have been made much easier and more economical by the presence of two clubs in the far west. We also know from history that a dual move of the Dodger and Giant franchises to Califormia in 1958 would be argued earlier as the most common sensible approach to opening up the big leagues as a coast-to-coast operation. (2.) Assuming the Browns did well in LA (and that is a mighty big assumption), some other club would have soon followed them to San Francisco.

Today's Birthdays:

http://www.t207.com/images/t207/page1/austin2.jpg
Jimmy Austin

Jimmy Austin was born on Monday, December 8, 1879 in Swansea, Wales. He began his big league baseball career on April 19, 1909, with the New York Highlanders. Austin played for 18 seasons, spending most of that time with the Browns. The versatile infielder and mentor ended his playing career in 1929 with a career BA of only .246, but his value to the Browns was very much on the side of his game wisdom. Austin died in Laguna Beach, California on March 6, 1965 at the age of 85.

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Sam Zoldak

Lefty Sam Zoldak was born in Brooklyn, NY on Sunday, December 8, 1918. Sam began his MLB career on May 13, 1944, with the St. Louis Browns. He played for 9 seasons on 3 different teams and ended his big league play in 1952 with a career pitching record of 45 wins, 53 losses and a 3.54 E.R.A. Zoldak was a rookie hurler for the 1944 Browns AL championship club with no W/L record, but later was 9-6 with the 1948 World Series Champion Cleveland Indians after posting a 2-4 record with the Browns earlier that same season. Zoldak was traded by the Browns to the Indians on June 15, 1948 for lefty Bill Kennedy and that ever-popular other player in these transactions - $100,000 cash. Zoldak passed away in New Hyde Park, NY on August 25, 1966. He was 47 at the time of his death.

Hank Thompson
Birth Name: Henry Curtis Thompson Bats : Left
Born On: 12-08-1925 Throws : Right
Born In: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Height : 5-09
Died On: 09-30-1969 Weight : 174
Died In: Fresno, California First Game: 07-17-1947
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-30-1956
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

2nd baseman/utility infielder Hank Thompson broke into the big leagues on July 17, 1947 as the first black player in the history of the St, Louis Browns. Hank batted .256 with 0 homers in 78 times at bat for the '47 Browns. It was also his only season in St. Louis. - Over his 9-year career (1947, 1949-1956), Thompson batted .267 with 129 homers. - Hank Thompson was 43 when he died in 1969.

Today's reference links ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/cgi-bin/today/today2S.pl

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/DECEMBER8.stm

Bill_McCurdy

12-09-2004, 06:38 AM

December 9, 1947: Go, Johnny, Go - For Cash! The Cleveland Indians acquire infielder Johnny Berardino from the St. Louis Browns today. The deal first turns as an exchange for outfielder Catfish Metkovich and $50,000 cash from the Indians. Because of a broken finger that is discovered upon delivery, the Browns will soon return Metkovich to Cleveland. To make up for the cancelled player, the Indians will add another $15,000 to complete the transaction. When all is said and done, the Browns get what they really wanted - and Catfish Metkovich gets a cash figure on his true market worth. At the end of 1952, Berardino will drop baseball as well as the 2nd "r" in his name, and start a successful acting career in Hollywood, mainly as a television soap opera star. Life as a Brown couldn't have hurt Beradino too much in his preparation for that second career.

December 9, 1936: Let There Be Light!

http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/past/sportsmans30.jpg

The American League approves seven night baseball games for the St. Louis Browns during the 1937 season. Will the Browns see a way to win more often when the games are played at night? Will more fans come to see the club at those games scheduled at the end of the normal working day? Stay tuned and find out. :radio

Births On This Date.

Bird Wayne "Bert" Blue was a back-up catcher for the 1908 Browns and Athletics. He went 9 for 24 (.375) for St. Louis before moving to Philly, where he finished the season and his MLB career with a 12 for 42 (.286) mark. Blue was born on December 9, 1877 in Bettsville, Ohio. He died in Detroit, Michigan on September 2, 1929 at the age of 51. Like so many others, we don't know the reasons behind Blue's short-lived career without deeper research.

Charles Roy "Curly" Brown was a 3-6 record lefty pitcher for the 1911-13 Browns. He also played the 1915 season with the Cincinnati Reds, adding 2 more losses to his career 3-8 record. Brown was born on December 9, 1888 in Spring Hill, Kansas. He died on June 10, 1968 in the town of his birth at the age of 79.

Joseph Paul "Joe" DeMaestri hit .226 in 81 games in 1952, his only season as a Browns infielder. For his career (1951-61) Joe hit .236 for the White Sox, Browns, Athletics, and Yankees. Demaestri was born on December 9, 1928 in San Francisco, California. Demaestri is 76 years old today, December 9, 2004.

Happy 76th Birthday, Joe DeMaestri! :clapping

Deaths On This Date.

http://www.thedeadballera.com/Photos/rickey_branch1.jpg
Branch Rickey Died On This Date in 1965.

Wesley Branch Rickey, the famous "Mahatma" of MLB administrative history, was born on December 20, 1881 in Flat, Ohio. He died on December 9, 1965 in Columbia, Missouri at the age of nearly 84. Rickey was a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University who held a degree in Law. Rickey began his career as a catcher for the Browns, in 1905. He hit only .239 for his 343 at bats over four separate seasons, but his real contribution to the game was to come later through his genius vision, his shrewd, penurious business practices, and his courage to oppose the color line.

John Geoffrey "Jeff" Heath was born on April 1, 1915 in Fort William, Ontario, Canada. He died on December 9, 1975 in Seattle, Washington at the age of 60. The lefty batting, righty throwing outfielder hit .293 for a career that spanned 14 seasons (1936-49). In his two seasons as a Brown (1946-47), Heath hit .275 and .251.

Today's Reference Links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/DECEMBER9.stm

http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/cgi-bin/today/today2S.pl

Bill_McCurdy

12-10-2004, 06:12 AM

December 10, 1948: Water, Water, Everywhere. The 16 big league clubs are sailing on an ocean of potential talent in this post-WWII halcyon era of minor league baseball. 58 leagues and 438 clubs were in operation during the 1948 season. On the surface of things, you would think that even the Browns would've filled their talent fishing nets with some real keepers in that vast Sea of Hope, but it didn't work that simply in the reserve clause era. Wealthy clubs, like the Yankees, could afford to tie up some of the best talent and keep it in the minor leagues rather than release it to other clubs. Wealthy clubs, notably the Yankees, also understood that clubs like the Browns, Senators, and Athletics were operating on thin financial ice. When one of those poor clubs did come up with a talent that the Yankees desired, acquiring same was just a matter of waving enough money under their noses. In effect, clubs like the Browns practically became Yankee farm clubs at the major league level.

One other interesting note about this date in 1948: when the minor leagues ask for curbs on MLB television games into their areas, the MLB clubs ignore the issue. How bizarre! When was the last time you ever heard of MLB avoiding a time-critical issue? :rolleyes:

Births On This Date

Charles Jessamine "Charlie" Shields , a member of the Browns' first 1902 pitching staff, was born December 10, 1879 in Jackson, TN. He died on August 27, 1953 at the age of 73 in Memphis, TN. Shields was 3-0, with a 3.30 E.R.A. in his brief partial season with the Browns. For his career, Shields was 7-13 with a 4.27 E.R.A.

Patrick Henry "Pat" Newnamwas born on December 10, 1880 in Hempstead, TX. He died on June 20, 1938 in San Antonio, TX at the age of 57. Newnam's two-year MLB career was spent with the 1909-10 Browns, In 123 total games, he batted .213.

Arthur Carle "Art" Griggs was born on December 10, 1883 in Topeka, KS. He died on December 19, 1938 in Los Angeles, CA at the age of 55. Griggs hit .280 for the 1909 Browns and .236 for the 1910 club. Over his career at several positions (1909-18), Griggs hit .277.

Verdo Wilson Elmore was born on December 10, 1899 Gordo, Alabama. He died in Birmingham, Alabama on August 5, 1969 at the age of 69. Elmore hit .176 in 17 trips to the plate for the 1924 Browns as a right fielder, and that's pretty much the whole story of his rather brief MLB career. One things he did that's memomrable? All three of his big league hits were doubles.

Deaths On This Date

John Thomas "Jack" Tobin died on December 10, 1969 in St. Louis at the age of 77. The native St. Louisan was born on May 4, 1892 and is remembered by Browns fans as the good-hitting right fielder for the great 1922 Browns club. Tobin hit .331 for the almost-champion '22 Browns. He even had better years, batting .352 in 1921 and and .341 in 1920. His career (1914-27) record with four clubs, but mostly with the Browns (1916-25) produced a .309 lifetime BA and 1,906 hits. Tobin was a lefty all the way. A few more players like Jack Tobin in our past could have resulted in a much better win history for the St. Louis Browns.

Today's reference links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/DECEMBER10.stm

http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/cgi-bin/today/today2S.pl

Bill_McCurdy

12-11-2004, 07:15 AM

December 11, 1929: Another Browns-A's Swap.

http://www.1918redsox.com/players/schang4.jpg
Wally Schang Traded Today.

The Browns trade catcher Wally Schang to the Philadelphia Athletics for 3rd baseman Sammy Hale. Schang had some good years for the Browns during his 4 seasons with the club (1926-29), but hit only .237 in 94 games in 1929. Hale will go on to hit .274 in 47 games at 3rd base and 15 more as a pinch hitter for the 1930 Browns before retiring from baseball. Schang's return to the A's reunites him with his original club (1913-17). Schang will hit .174 in limited service with the 1930 A's and .184 with the 1931 Tigers before making his own exit from baseball. Schang's last three seasons in his 19-year big league career are not up to par with his talent level. Schang was a career .284 hitter.

December 11, 1927: Saddest Day In Browns History.

http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/hofer_bios/images/sisler_george_3.jpg
Greatest Brown Sold Today!

Some of you may disagree, but this is the one transaction in club history that I rate as our saddest moment in time. Today the Browns sell George Sisler, the greatest player in franchise history, and one of the greatest ballplayers of all time, to the Washington Senators for a mere $25,000 freakin' dollars. I don't care if those were big bucks in 1927, Sisler was priceless to the Browns, even when he was old and infirm. Can you imagine the Cardinals doing something like this with Stan Musial during the latter years of his career? I can't.

Coincidentally, I just picked up my copy of the new George Sisler biography by Rick Huhn yesterday. It's called "The Sizzler: George Sisler, Baseball's Forgotten Great." I ordered mine through Barnes and Noble, but you will find it listed on Amazon.Com.

Births on This Date in History

Clarence Eugene "Gene" Wright: 12/11/1878. A pitcher with a 4-6 record for the 1903-04 Browns.

Walter Henry Meinert: 12/11/1890. Went 3 for 8 as a 1913 Brown in his only big league year.

George David "Slick" Coffman: 12/11/1910. Was 2-2 as a pitcher for the 1940 Browns. Had a 4-year (1937-40) career record of 15-12.

Deaths on This Date In History

James Leroy "Sunny Jim" Bottomley: 12/11/1959. Dead at age 59, the great Cardinal Hall of Fame 1st baseman played his last two years in the big leagues with the 1936-37 Browns. He also took over for Rogers Hornsby as manager of the Browns for the last 79 games of 1937.

Clifford Bryson "Cliff" Fannin: 12/11/1966. Dead at the early age of 42, Cliff Fannin was a career Browns pitcher, winning 34 and losing 51 between 1945 and 1952.

http://www.vintagecardtraders.org/virtual/52topps/52topps-285.jpg
Career Brown Cliff Fannin Died Young.

Today's Reference Links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/DECEMBER11.stm

http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/cgi-bin/today/today2S.pl

Bill_McCurdy

12-12-2004, 05:12 AM

December 12, 1983: Big Jim Weaver Dead at 80.

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Typical Day in The 1930's: Brownie Brain
Trust Contemplates Next Personnel Decision.

On a date which almost reads like a blank page in St. Louis Browns recorded history, Jim Weaver dies today in Lakeland, Florida. They called him "Big Jim" for a very good reason. At 6'6" and 230 pounds, Weaver was one of the biggest guys in the big leagues back in the late 1920's and through most of the 1930's. Born James Dement Weaver, the native of Obion County, Tennessee came into this world on Wednesday, November 25, 1903. He began his big league baseball career on August 27, 1928 with the Washington Senators. In 3 relief appearances that year, the big righthander posted a 1.50 E.R.A. over 6 innings of work, but was involved in no decisions. Over the course of his career, Weaver would hurl for 8 seasons and work for 6 different teams.

Weaver's career would close the books in 1939 on his record of 57 wins, 36 losses, and an E.R.A. of 3.88. That .613 winning percentage was not too shabby an accomplishment - especially when you consider the teams he pitched for. Other than a brief 2nd season with the Yankees, Weaver labored for the likes of the Senators, Browns, Cubs, Pirates, and Reds. How a man posts that kind of W% toiling in those yards is not a feat to be dismissed.

Big Jim doesn't have much of a Browns history, but he did have two stints of service with the club. To start the 1934 season, and I'm not sure how he was acquired, Weaver went 2-0 in 6 starts, with a 6.41 E.R.A. On May 15, 1934, he was put on waivers by the Browns and picked up by the Cubs. Jim then went 11-9 for the the 1934 Cubs before moving over to the Pirates and going 14-8, 14-8, and 8-5 over the next 3 seasons (1935-37).

The Browns purchased Weaver's contract from the Pirates in January 1938, but they only gave him one starting opportunity. After Weaver is blasted for 7 runs in 7 innings, he is sold to the Reds on April 25, 1938. He will finish out the year with Cincinnati and go 6-4 as a spot starter and reliever.

What are we to conclude about the reasons for Weaver not sticking with the Browns twice? Granted, our opinions are only conjectural since we don't have all the facts. Maybe the Browns just didn't need any pitching help back in the 1930's. :crazy

Today's reference link ... http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=weaveji01

Bill_McCurdy

12-13-2004, 04:54 AM

December 13, 1949: A .300 Hitter's Reward.

http://www.gasolinealleyantiques.com/sports/images/baseball/auto-colemanray.JPG
Welcome Back, Ray Coleman!

Breaking in with a .280 BA in his 1946 rookie season, Browns 3rd baseman Bob Dillinger follows that mark with steady improvement, going .294, .321, and .324 over his next three full seasons. His 207 hits lead the American League in 1948. He also leads the league in stolen bases for 3 straight years (1947-49) with 34, 28, and 20. If these totals seem low, remember, - this was not a running era.

So, what's Dillinger's reward for all this productivity and promise? Today he finds out as the Browns send him and temperamental outfielder Paul Lehner to the Philadelphia A's for a reported $100,000 and infielders Frankie Gustine, Bill DeMars, and outfielders Ray Coleman and Ray Ippolitto. Dillinger will play just a half-season in Philley before being swapped to Pittsburgh.

The trade for Ray Coleman marks his return to the Browns.

December 13, 1948: Browns Get Lollar from NY.

http://vintagecardtraders.org/virtual/60topps/60topps-495.jpg

After a year in New York with the Yankees, hurler Red Embree is traded, along with young catcher Sherm Lollar, pitcher Dick Starr and $100,000, to the Browns. Embree will slump to 3–13 in St. Louis after having his only winning MLB season in New York. Lollar is the prize in this deal. He will catch in the majors through 1963. The Yankees receive pitcher Fred Sanford and catcher Roy Partee. Partee is ticketed for the minors, but Sanford will help the Yanks as a starter/reliever in 1949.

December 13, 1930: Sisler Career Reaches End.

http://afl.mlb.com/images/2004/03/15/WT4QuTsk.jpg
George Sisler (2nd from right, back row)
The First HOF Induction Class in 1939
(Minus Ty Cobb, Who Was Late for Photo)

The magnificent 15-year big league career of George Sisler ends today as the Boston Braves release him. A lifetime .340 hitter who twice led the American League with averages above .400, Sisler will be among the first players elected to the new Baseball Hall of Fame, and he will be enshrined with that first induction class in 1939.

Today's Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/DECEMBER13.stm

westsidegrounds

12-13-2004, 02:45 PM

[SIZE=2][B]December 13, 1948: Browns Get Lollar from NY.

http://vintagecardtraders.org/virtual/60topps/60topps-495.jpg

After a year in New York with the Yankees, hurler Red Embree is traded, along with young catcher Sherm Lollar, pitcher Dick Starr and $100,000, to the Browns. Embree will slump to 3–13 in St. Louis after having his only winning MLB season in New York. Lollar is the prize in this deal. He will catch in the majors through 1963.

Not for the Brownies tho, who moved him after the '51 season to the White Sox. At Comiskey Park Sherm Lollar became as much an institution as ... well, as Comiskey Park.

Bill_McCurdy

12-14-2004, 05:45 AM

December 14, 2004: Remembering ...

http://www.thedeadballera.com/Stadiums/StadiumsSportsmansPark_photo8.jpg
... "Those were the days, my friend. ... We thought they'd never end."

Births On This Date

December 14, 1873: An Original Brown Born Today., John Joseph Anderson, the original 1st baseman of the first 1902 Browns club was was born today in Sarpsburg, Norway. Anderson's family later immigrated to the USA where he apparently grew up with a love and a talent for baseball.

The righthander played most of the Browns' first two seasons (1902-03) at 1st base, hitting .284 each year. Anderson also played a handful of games in the outfield during each of his two Brownie seasons.

In his 14-year big leaue career (1894-1908), Anderson played for a number of clubs as a consistent performer. He compiled 1,841 career hits and a .290 BA for his total effort. Anderson died on July 23, 1949 in Worcester, MA at the age of 75. This morning we honor his memory as a St. Louis Browns original.

December 14, 1897: Syl A. Simon Met A Pieman ... Sylvester Adam Simon was born today in Evansville, Indiana. Who was Simon? The answer's simple. He was just another cup-of-coffee Brown who got into 24 games as a middle infielder for the 1923-24 clubs. He managed to squeak out 8 hits in 33 total at bats before leaving the big league scene forever after his two brief (but long enough) seasons. Simon passed away on February 28, 1973 in Chandler, Indiana. He was 75. Simple as that.

December 14, 1905: A Winless '35 Browns Pitcher. Robert George "Lefty Bob" Weiland was born today in Chicago. Weiland had a 62-94 record with several clubs in a career that spanned from 1928 to 1940. In his one season as a 1935 Brown, Weiland was 0 and 2 with a 9.56 in 14 games. Lefty left this world in Chicago on November 9, 1988 at the age of nearly 83.

December 14, 1909: Jim Walkup's Natal Day. James Elton Walkup was born today in Havana, Arkansas. After playing college ball at the University of Arkansas, Walkup racked up 6 years in the big leagues from 1934 t0 1939. Except for 7 games and 1 loss as a Detroit Tiger at the tail end of the '39 season, all of Jim's work was for the Browns. He finished his career with a record of 16 wins, 38 losses, and a 6.74 E.R.A. Walkup died on February 7, 1997 in Danville, Arkansas at the age of 87.

December 14, 1914: Another One-Year Brownie. Russell Dixon "Rusty" Peters was born today in Roanoke, Virginia. The utility infielder had a 10 year career (1936-47) that ended with the Browns and his best offensive performance (16/47, . 340 BA). Peters left the big leagues after 1947 with a .236 career BA in only 1,222 official at bats. He died in Harrisonburg, VA on February 21, 2002 at the age of 88.

Bill_McCurdy

12-15-2004, 05:31 AM

December 15, 1927: Browns Dump Ken Williams.

http://www.thedeadballera.com/Photos/WilliamsKen_photo.jpg
Ken Williams Beat Out Babe Ruth &
Led The AL in HR's With 39 in 1922.

The Browns have decided to clean house on their ancient stars. Two days following the sale of George Sisler to Washington for $25,000, the Browns today sell "Sisler's Brother" on offense, slugging outfielder Ken Williams, to the Boston Red Sox for $10,000. At 38, Williams will hit .303 in 462 AB's for the 1928 Red Sox, but his home run production will drop to 8.

Today's reference link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/DECEMBER15.stm

Bill_McCurdy

12-15-2004, 06:56 AM

December 16 (Actually 15), 2004: A Day Early. This Is Spooky Some of you may know that one of my other fond incarnations into baseball is my voluntary service as the Board President and Executive Director of the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame. Well, that job was forcing me today to think about how I was going to keep the string going on these daily Browns history posts since I will be in Dallas on December 16th and away from internet access. The answer seemed obvious. - I planned to simply post what I could find a day in advance of leaving Houston on December 15th.

Here's where the purpose of my trip and the need for a December 16th post run unexpectedly together. Call it coincidence. I call it spooky. And here's the background to this curious convergence of events:

On November 12, 2004, former Brown Debs Garms was one of our two posthumous inductions into the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame. Garms didn't make it in because of his service as a Brown. What put him into our state hall with the selection committee more than anything was the fact that he won the 1940 Nationnal League batting championship as a Pittsburgh Pirate with a .358 BA in only 358 official plate appearances. That fact, plus his .293 lifetime BA, got him in. We're not quite up to Cooperstown standards in the matter of honoring some of our older Texas baseball people, but our list does begin with Tris Speaker and Rogers Hornsby.

At any rate, we inducted Garms in front of 600 strangers without knowing anything about the existence of his surviving family. We had tried to find some trace of them prior to the banquet, but our limited resources for doing this kind of detective work had turned up nothing.

Wouldn't you know it? The Garms family surfaced in the wake of media coverage given to our banquet statewide - after the fact. It turns out that Debs Garms is survived by a son and two grown grandchildren and that all of them live in the greater Dallas area. - Our banquet, as am I, is based in Houston - some 260 miles to the south of Dallas.

I called the son of Debs Garms when I got his number. Of course, we were both disapointed that we didn't know about each other prior to the banquet. I learned that he and I are just about the same age and that we share many of the same childhood memories of baseball. We talked for a good half hour.

To make a long story short, I am going to Dallas today (Wed., Dec 15th) with another member of our board. Tonight we are putting on a mini-banquet dinner with the Dallas-Fort Worth members of the board to specifically honor the memory of Debs Garms in the presence of his family. Garms's son will be receiving the plaque and artwork of his father that he would've gotten back in November - had we known about each other. If nothing else, tonight's plan says this much about the people of our TBHOF. - We are dedicated to the idea that life and the bestowing of due honor is not stationary. Life is, as Hemingway once said, "a moveable feast."

When I went to my resources for posting December 16th news here a day early, here's the only item I could find on short notice:

December 16, 1984: Debs Garms Dies at 76.

http://home.mindspring.com/~gearhard/images/garms.jpg
Debs Garms Honored Again
Today, December 15, 2004.

Debs C. Garms died in Glen Rose, Texas today at the age of 76. Garms was born on June 26, 1907 in Bangs, Texas.

On November 12, 2004, Debs Garms was posthumously inducted into the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame, joining seven previously recognized former Browns in our state baseball honors program - Rogers Hornsby, Sam West, Bob Muncrief, Tex Shirley, Dizzy Dean, Jerry Witte, and Frank Mancuso.

An alumnus of Howard Payne University, Garms launched his professional career with Abilene of the West Texas League in 1928. Then a third baseman, he played infield with future major leaguers (all Browns): Jack Burns, first base; Lin Storti, second base; and Jim Levey, shortstop.

Debs made his major league debut with the Browns on August 10, 1932. Before he got there, he paid his dues at the lower levels of professional baseball. In addition to Abilene, minor league stops included Spartanburg and Augusta (South Atlantic), Topeka (Western) and Wichita Falls-Longview (Texas). Moved to the outfield at Wichita Falls, he batted .284 in 34 games for the ’32 Browns. He remained with St. Louis until optioned to San Antonio (Texas) early in the 1935 season.

Garms produced big numbers in the 1936 Texas League campaign and was dealt to the Boston Braves. Debs was with the Braves for three seasons and then traded to Pittsburgh in 1940, where he enjoyed his greatest year. He won the National League batting title with a .355 batting average and became the third native Texan (to that point in time) to lead a major league in hitting. In 1916, the immortal Tris Speaker had won the American League crown with a .386 average. Rogers Hornsby had paced the National League hitters seven times in the 1920s.

In 1938, with the Boston Bees, Garms broke pitcher Johnny Vander Meer's string of 21 1/3 hitless innings, which included two consecutive no-hitters before Debs stopped the Reds pitcher’s bid for a third with a single in the fourth inning in the game at Boston.

Garms was cut by the Cardinals after batting .336 in 74 games in 1945. Over the period of his career, he participated in 1,010 major league contests. His big league career average was.293, but he never returned to the majors after 1945. The professional career of Debs Garms was completed with San Diego of the Pacific Coast League in 1946.

One interesting family note deserves mention. Debs Garms was named for Eugene V. Debs, who, on three occasions, was an unsuccessful socialist candidate for President.

Also going into the Texas Hall in 2004 were Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell of the Houston Astros; pitcher Kenny Rogers of the Texas Rangers; the late Rube Foster, founder of the Negro National League; Lamar University’s 963-win baseball coach, Jim Gilligan; and long-time Houston Astros game telecaster, Bill Brown.

Today's reference link ... http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=garmsde01

God willing, we'll see you here again on Friday, December 17th, with fresh information about that date in Browns history. I'll be back from Dallas by then. If you'd like an account of how things go in Dallas, let me know.

Bill_McCurdy

12-17-2004, 05:21 AM

December 17, 1924: Shocker Traded to Yankees!

http://www.thedeadballera.com/Cards/SHOCKER1921.jpg
Browns Surrender 4-Time 20-Game
Winner to The New York Yankees!

What were they thinking? Today the Browns pull the first major plug on their greatest roster in history by trading ace righthander Urban Shocker back to the New York Yankees. The Browns originally acquired Shocker from New York on January 22, 1918 in a trade involving several players and cash. Today the now proven winner returns to New York in exchange for pitchers Milt Gaston, Joe Giard, and Joe Bush.

After going 6-5 in his 1918 first season in St. Louis, Shocker became the heart of Brownie pitching success for the following 6 seasons. During this period, he racked up 4 straight 20-game-win years from 1920 to 1923 with 20, 27, 24, and 20 wins. Shocker's league-leading total of 27 in '22 brought the Browns to within one game of toppling the champion Yankees. Now, as will be the case so often in years to come, Shocker becomes early evidence to an adage that will only grow more powerful overs the years: Those who prove themselves as Yankee-Killers are destined to become Yankees themselves! Shocker will never win 20 games for the Yankees, but he will be a strong contributor on both of the New York pennant winners in 1926 and 1927.

Perhaps the Browns thought they were the ones acquiring the "Killer." After losing to the Browns on June 12, 1922, Joe Bush had beaten the Browns 17 straight times, but he and the other Yankees acquired today will never compensate for the loss of Shocker.

After pitching only three innings for the Yankees in 1928, Shocker will retire due to failing health that leaves him fatigued. He will soon die of complications arising from what was then inadequately described as "athlete's heart" on September 9, 1928. He is only 38 at the time of his death.

Had it been available, today's medicine may have been able to accurately diagnose Shocker's problem as arterial blockage and saved his life with bypass surgery, but we'll never know for sure. All we can know is that the state of early disease detection was not better back in the good old days.

December 17, 1920: AL Spitballer Exemption Day.

The American League agrees to allow pitchers who used the spitball in 1920 to continue using it as long as they are in the league. The National League will do the same. There will be 17 designated spitters in all, eight in the NL and nine in the AL. For the NL, the wet-guys are: Bill Doak, Phil Douglas, Dana Fillingim, Ray Fisher, Marvin Goodwin, Burleigh Grimes, Clarence Mitchell, and Dick Rudolph. For the American League, the wet-one are: A.W. Ayers, Slim Caldwell, Stan Coveleski, Red Faber, H.B. Leonard, Jack Quinn, Allan Russell, Urban Shocker, and Allen Sothoron.

Among the AL group, only Shocker and Sothoron have earned their water wings as members of the St. Louis Browns. :p

Deaths on This Date

Walt DeVoy
Birth Name: Walter Joseph DeVoy
Nickname: None
Born On: 03-14-1886
Born In: St. Louis, Missouri
Zodiac: Pisces
Died On: 12-17-1953
Died In: St. Louis, Missouri
Cemetery: Calvary Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 5-11
Weight: 165
First Game: 09-13-1909 (Age 23)
Last Game: 10-03-1909
Draft: Not Applicable

Right fielder/1st baseman Walt DeVoy played 19 games for the 1909 Browns and was then gone for good from big league baseball. DeVoy batted .246 (16 for 79) with no dead ball era taters to his credit. - Walt DeVoy passed away in 1953 at the age of 67. - BCT/GB, Walt DeVoy! :coffee

Henry Levai "Hank" Severeid (12/17/68): Died in San Antonio, TX at the age of 77. Severeid was the greatest hitting catcher in Browns history. From 1915 to 1925, Hank hit over .300 five times. His bat and glove were a major part of the great 1921-22 Browns clubs.

Jim Park
Birth Name: James Park
Nickname: None
Born On: 11-10-1892
Born In: Richmond, Kentucky
Zodiac: Scorpio
Died On: 12-17-1970
Died In: Lexington, Kentucky
Cemetery: Lexington Cemetery, Lexington, Kentucky
College: Kentucky Agricultural & Mechanical College
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6-02
Weight: 175
First Game: 09-07-1915 (Age 23)
Last Game: 07-11-1917
Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Jim Park had a 3-season, all-Browns MLB career (1915-1917) in which he won 4, lost 5, and recorded an ERA of 3.02 in 42 games and 122 innings of work. - Jim Park was 79 when he died in 1970.

Frederick Raymond "Fritz" Ostermueller (12/17/57): Died in Quincy, IL at the age of 50. Fritz was a 15-year big league pitcher (1934-48) who went 3-6 as a Brown (1941-43). His career record was 114-115 with a 3.99 E.R.A.

Today's Reference Links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/DECEMBER17.stm

http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/cgi-bin/today/today2S.pl

Bill_McCurdy

12-18-2004, 03:11 AM

December 18, 1903: Ban Johnson Gets Raise; Some Rules Change.

http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/hofer_bios/images/johnson_ban_2.jpg
AL Boss To Get Fatter Paycheck.

The American League met today to deal with several items of business. Ban Johnson is re-elected American League president and given a raise to $10,000. The American League also votes to allow coaches at 3rd base and 1st base at all times. * Until now, only one coach was permitted on the field, except in situations where there were two or more base runners. The American League also institutes the "foul strike" rule currently in use by the National League since 1901: a foul will be counted as a strike unless there are already two strikes. Then, of course, it's just a foul ball, but the batter may still be retired for an out - if the ball is caught on the fly.

* The common sense coaching rule change noted here took place 101 years ago. You have to wonder when common sense will prevail again and allow clubs to do away with those "coaching boxes" they draw on the field. From what I've seen, they are a waste of perfectly good chalk.

Births on December 18th

Samuel Richard "Dick" Coffman was born on December 18, 1906 in Veto, Alabama. The righthanded Coffman was 27-40 in 5 seasons as a Brown from 1928 to 1932. His (1927-45) career record was 72-95. Coffman died in Athens. Alabama on March 24, 1972 at the age of 65.

Clarence Calvert "Sam" Covington was born on December 18, 1894 in Henryville, Tennessee. "Sam" was 9 for 60 (.150 BA) in 20 games as a 1st baseman for the 1913 Browns. He also saw very limited action for the 1917-18 Boston Braves and finished his short career with a BA of .178. Covington died on January 4, 1963 in Denison, Texas at the age of 68.

Skelton Le Roy "Buddy" Napier was born on December 18, 1889 in Byromville, Georgia. Napier was 1-2, with a 4.97 E.R.A. as a righthanded pitcher for the 1913 Browns. His 4-year mark for 4 non-consecutive seasons played from 1913-1921 was 5-6, 3.92. Napier died on March 29, 1968 in Hutchins, Texas at the age of 78.

Deaths on December 18th

James Robert "Jim" McLaughlin died on December 18, 1968 in Mount Vernon, Illinois at the age of 66. McLaughlin's entire big league career consists of one official time at bat for the 1932 Browns. He was 0 for 1 with 1 R.B.I. - Draw your own speculative conclusions on how McLaughlin got his ribbie. Oh well, Jim batted 1.000 on his R.B.I. production per times at bat. That's not too shabby as a major league memory. - McLaughlin also was a native St. Louisan. His birthdate is January 3, 1902.

George Jasper "George" Caster died on December 18, 1955 in Lakewood, California at the age of 48. As a righthanded pitcher for 5 years (1941-45) as a Brown, Caster won 24 and lost 25. His (1934-46) career mark was 76 wins and 100 losses with a 4.54 E.R.A. Caster was born on August 4, 1907 in Colton, California.

Today's reference links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/DECEMBER18.stm

http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Have a nice Saturday-Before-Christmas, everybody! Hope you have your dadgum holiday preparations mostly or completely behind you with a week to go. I don't, of course :eek:

Bill_McCurdy

12-19-2004, 05:56 AM

On days when reporting,
Takes shovels and digs,
Unearthed for you here,
...Krichell, Koupal, and Griggs.

:radio

Births on December 19th

http://www.thedeadballera.com/GravePhotos/KrichellPaulsGrave1.jpg
Paul Krichell's Gravesite

Paul Bernard "Paul" Krichell is born on December 19, 1882 in New York City. In 243 at bats as a righthanded hitting catcher for the 1911-12 Browns, Paul will complete his big league career with a BA of .222 and 0 homers. Regardless of his short stay and weak output, Krichell is another of our "at-least-I-got-here-and-what's-your-excuse" guys. We salute him for it. Paul Krichell died on June 4, 1957 in New York City at the age of 74. - Paul Kritchell is best remembered today as the famous Yankee scout who signed Lou Gehrig for the New York Yankees.

Louis Laddie "Lou" Koupal is born on December 19, 1898 in Tabor, South Dakota. After compiling a 6-12 record as a pitcher for the Pirates, Robins (Dodgers), and Phillies from 1925 to 1930, Lou makes a comeback seven years later with the 1937 Browns. Koupal goes 4 and 9 with the '37 Browns and retires again. Lou Koupal died on December 8, 1961 in San Gabriel, CA at the age of 62.

Deaths On December 19th

Arthur Carle "Art" Griggs dies in Los Angeles on December 19, 1938 at the age of 55. Griggs was born on December 10, 1883 in Topeka, Kansas. As we reported several days ago, Griggs hit .280 for the 1909 Browns and .236 for the 1910 club. Over his career at several positions (1909-18), Griggs hit .277.

Today's reference link ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Bill_McCurdy

12-20-2004, 05:40 AM

Births on December 20th

James Thomas "Jimmy" Williams

http://sports.espn.go.com/i/media/mlb/2003/0916/photo/williams_jimy.jpg
"I'm not the guy you're
reading about here."

Jimmy (2 "M"s) Williams is born on December 20, 1876 in St. Louis. He will live to the ripe old age of 88, dying in St. Petersburg, Florida on January 16, 1965. From 1899 through 1909, Williams played 11 seasons for 4 different teams, spending his last two seasons (1908-09) as the 2nd baseman of the St. Louis Browns. Although Williams had some good previous years as a hitter, his offensive stroke was gone by the time he reached St. Louis. Jimmy's rookie year found fim batting .355 in 152 games for the 1899 Pirates. In contrast, Williams batted only .195 in 110 games for the 1909 Browns. It was time for Jimmy Williams to go - and he did.

Wesley Branch ("The Mahatma") Rickey is born on December 20, 1881 in Flat, Ohio. Rickey will live to age ??, dying in Columbia, Missouri on December 9, 1965, (See the post of December 9th for more career information on Rickey.)

It suffices to say that Branch Rickey gets many of our votes as the man who influenced baseball more than any other during the 20th century. His genius vision for developing a winning big league club through the development of a minor league farm club system, and, of course, his leadership in breaking the color line are at the heart of his contributions to baseball.

Make no mistake about Rickey. He was an honest man, but his shrewdness for business and ego never strayed far from his motivations. Rickey's desire to see the color line broken was not purely motivated by some altruistic pursuilt of justice. Rickey wanted to tap into the enormous talent pool that he saw in the Negro Leagues - and he wanted to be the one who received credit for righting decades of injustice. In short, Branch Rickey was no Mother Theresa. He was more like the rest of us, laboring under the weight of our personalities and various personal shortcomings. From an intellectual standpoint, he stood apart from the rest. He was just a whole lot smarter than most of his baseball contemporaries. :atthepc

Today's reference link ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/cgi-bin/today/today2S.pl

westsidegrounds

12-20-2004, 04:35 PM

[QUOTE=Bill_McCurdy]
Paul Bernard "Paul" Krichell is born on December 19, 1882 in New York City. In 243 at bats as a righthanded hitting catcher for the 1911-12 Browns, Paul wil complete his big league career with a BA of .222 and 0 homers. Regardless of his short stay and weak output, Krichell is another of our [I]"at-least-I-got-here-and-what's-your-excuse" guys. We salute him for it. Paul Krichell died on June 4, 1957 in New York City at the age of 74.

QUOTE]

Arguably the greatest scout in baseball history; working for the Yankees :ughh :) from 1920 on, he brought Lou Gehrig, Whitey Ford, Tony Lazzeri, Vic Raschi, Mark Koenig, and many others to the Bronx ... they quite possibly wouldnottadunnit without him, at least not as often.

Imagine him scouting for his old team the Brownies instead, with Branch Rickey in the Browns' front office ....

Bill_McCurdy

12-20-2004, 06:01 PM

Westsidegrounds on Paul Krichell: Arguably the greatest scout in baseball history; working for the Yankees from 1920 on, he brought Lou Gehrig, Whitey Ford, Tony Lazzeri, Vic Raschi, Mark Koenig, and many others to the Bronx ... they quite possibly wouldnottadunnit without him, at least not as often.

Imagine him scouting for his old team the Brownies instead, with Branch Rickey in the Browns' front office ....

Thanks for bringing in the fact of Paul Krichell's incredible career as a scout for the Yankees, WSG. You're so right. The thought of what Rickey and Krichell, plus a little money, might've done together is mind-blowing. Here's an excerpt from an article about Krichell's signing of Lou Gehrig:

Columbia's baseball team played Rutgers University on April 26, 1923. Paul Krichell, a Yankees scout, attended the game. This scout offered Lou a $1,500 dollars for signing with the team and $2,000 for the remaining four weeks of the season. Lou first began his career in 1923 playing for the Yankees at Fenway Park, where he hit his first of what would become 493 homeruns throughout his baseball career.

article reference link ... http://www.whitehouse.gov/kids/dreamteam/lougehrig.html

Bill_McCurdy

12-21-2004, 04:10 AM

http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/past/sportsmans726.jpg
"People will little note nor long remember the names of many who played here, but they will not
forget what all of these anonymous Browns did and didn't do here."

- Abraham Ball Lincoln Veeck. ;)

Births on December 21st

George James "Soldier Boy" Curry was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on December 21, 1888. Curry's big league career was limited to 3 losing starts he made as a righthanded pitcher for the 1911 Browns. Curry passed away in West Haven, Connecticut on October 5, 1963. He was nearly 81.

Harold Augustine "Hal" Haid was born in Barberton, Ohio on December 21, 1897. Haid made his big league debut as a righthanded pitcher for the Browns on September 5, 1919. It wasn't a banner day for young Hal. In two innings of relief work, he gave up 4 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks. He did register one strikeout before nightfall. Haid did not pitch in the majors again until 1928 when he returned as a Cardinal. From 1928-33, Haid pitched for the Cardinals, Braves, and White Sox, registering a career mark of 14-15 and an E.R.A. of 4.16. Hal Haid died in Los Angeles on August 13, 1952. He was 54.

Deaths on December 21st

Ralph Richard "Blackie" Schwamb died on December 21, 1989 in Los Angeles at the age of 63. Schwamb was born on August 6, 1926 in Lancaster, California. Schwamb pitched one year in the big leagues for the 1948 Browns. The 6' 5 1/2" righty went 1-1 in 12 games as a reliever/starter, registering an E.R.A. of 8.53. Schwamb never made another appearance in the majors after the 1948 season.

today's reference link ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/cgi-bin/today/today2S.pl

Bill_McCurdy

12-22-2004, 05:23 AM

December 22, 1953: New Name for Browns is Dunn Deal. The name Dunn had become synonymous with the franchise known as the Baltimore Orioles from prior to the days of Babe Ruth. Remember? Jack Dunn was the Baltimore Orioles owner/manager when Ruth was sold to the Boston Red Sox. Well, today that ownership association with the name "Orioles" comes to an end as Jack Dunn III, whose family successfully owned and operated the Orioles for years in the International League, officially turns the old team name over to the Baltimore Orioles. It's just another 1953 pre-Christmas reminder to St. Louis Browns fans that their club really is - no more.

Births on December 22nd

Owen Dennis Ignatius Shannon is born in Omaha, Nebraska on December 22, 1879. In 1903, Shannon has a 9-game career with the Browns as a catcher-1st baseman. He will go 6 for 28 and be out of the big leagues after 1903 until 1907. He returns to the big leagues with the Senators in 1907, but goes 1 for 7 before disappearing for good. Owen Shannon died on April 10, 1918 at the age of only 38.

John George "Johnny" Bero is born on December 22, 1922 in Gary, West Virginia. After an 0 for 9 history with the 1948 Tigers, Bero has one year as a middle infielder with the 1951 Browns, going 34 for 160 for a .213 average that includes a surprising 5 homers. Like so many others before and after him, Bero passes from the big league scene after his short exposure and never returns after 1951. Bero passed away on May 11, 1985 in Gardena, California. He was 62.

Deaths on December 22nd

William Henry "Bill" Crouch dies on December 22, 1946 in Highland Park, Michigan at the age of 59. Lefty Crouch pitched one game in the big leagues for the Browns, giving up 4 runs (3 earned) and 6 hits in 8 innings of work on July 12, 1910. He walked 7 and struck out 2 in a solitary no-decision appearance. That was it for the big league career of Bill Crouch. Crouch was born on December 2, 1886 in Marshallton, Delaware.

Bernard Oliver "Benny" Bengough

http://www.thedeadballera.com/Photos/BengoughBenny_photo.jpg

Benny Bengough dies on December 22, 1968 in Philadelphia at the age of 70. Better remembered for his career as a catcher for the Yankees from 1923-1930, Bengough finishes as a player for the 1931-1932 Browns. Known mainly for his glove work, Bengough registers a career BA of .255. Bengough was born in Niagara Falls, New York on July 27, 1898.

Robert Clinton "Bobby" Hogue passes away on December 22, 1987 in his hometown of Miami, Florida at the age 65. The BR/TR posted a 1-1, 5.19 ERA record in a partial season, 18-game stint with the 1951 Browns. His career (1948-1952) MLB record closed at 18 wins, 16, losses, and an ERA of 3.97. - Bobby Hogue was born on April 5, 1921 in Miami, Florida.

Today's reference links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/DECEMBER22.stm

http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Bill_McCurdy

12-23-2004, 05:00 AM

Births on December 23rd

http://www.albert-schweitzer.de/hih/022003/imgaes/Schweitzer1.jpg
"In all due modesty, I performed many charitable acts over the course of my lifetime, but, I must confess to the truth in this matter, as always. Playing for the St. Louis Browns was not among these." - Albert Schweitzer.

Albert Caspar "Al" Schweitzer is born on December 23, 1882 in Cleveland, Ohio. Al will go on to hit .238 in 4 seasons as righthanded hitting outfielder for the 1908-1911 Browns. His 208 hits in 874 times at bat includes 3 home runs. If I have to guess, and that's what I'm doing in this case, I'm betting that those 3 homers were inside-the-art jobs. Schweitzer's years with the Browns are his entire big league career. He will die on January 27, 1969 at the age of 86 in Newark, Ohio. Thank you, Albert Schweitzer, for giving us something to report on this date in Browns history.

Frederick Charles "Fritz" Maisel is born in Catonsville, Maryland on December 23, 1889. Maisel's 6-year career in the majors (1913-1918) amounted to a 5-year stint with the Yankees as an infielder - and a final year with the Browns as an outfielder. Fritz finished with a .238 career BA. He will leave this earth on April 22, 1967 in Baltimore, Maryland at the age of 77.

Alphonse "Tommy" Thomas is born on December 23, 1899 in Baltimore, Maryland. The righthander's 12-year pitching career (1926-1937) includes two years with the Browns (1936-1937). Thomas is 11-10 as a Brown and 117-128 overall. He will die on April 27, 1988 in Dallastown, PA at the age of 88.

Deaths on December 23rd

None. If you were a St. Louis Brown, December 23rd was a day laced with grace for life. No Browns ever died on this date in history.

Today's reference link ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Bill_McCurdy

12-24-2004, 06:55 AM

The Ballad of Eddie Gaedel (New Expanded 2004 Version)

http://www.attheplate.com/images/people/gaedel_atbat.jpg

A few years ago, I wrote a brief parody on Eddie Gaedel to the tune of "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer." For Christmas 2004, I've done some expansion work on the saga to the same old tune. To sing the following lyrics easier, just keep in mind these two things:

Verses are the stanzas that fit with "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer."

Choruses are the stanzas that fit with "Then one foggy, Christmas Eve."

It will also help if you pronounce the names Gaedel as GUY-dell and Saucier as SAW-shay.

From this point, you're on your own. - Merry Christmas, Everybody!

(verse 1)
Bill Veeck – The Brownie owner
Wore some very shiny clothes,
And if – you saw his sport shirt,
You would even say it glows.

(verse 2)
All of the other - owners,
Used to laugh and call him names.
They wouldn’t let poor - Bill Veeck,
Join in all their owner games.

(chorus 1)
Then one sultry, summer night,
Veeck’s brain flipped to fidget,
Slappin’ down hard on his wooden leg,
He decided to sign a midget.

(verse 3)
His name was - Eddie Gae-del,
He was only three-feet tall.
He didn’t have much talent,
Even for our Brownie ball.

(verse 4)
Veeck sent him in for Saucier,
Told him not to swing at all,
Said if – you move that - bat once,
You won’t live to see nightfall.

(chorus 2)
It came true on the 19th day,
August, Fifty-One.
Dead last place and – goin’ nowhere.
It was time for Brownie fun.

(verse 5)
Gaedel did what - Veeck wanted,
Took 4 balls and walked to 1st.
Then he gave way to Delsing,
Running for the one soon cursed.

(verse 6)
Baseball slapped down a - ban on,
Guys who didn’t stand too high
That took the bat from - Eddie,
Baseball told him bye, bye, bye!

(chorus 3)
Baseball scions – just can’t stand,
Genius on the loose.
They thought banning Gaedel’s bat,
Would slay old Bill Veeck’s goose.

(verse 7)
Oh, how the purists hated,
Adding little Eddie's name,
To the big book of records,
"Gaedel" bore a blush of shame!

(verse 8)
Still, when you look up records,
Look up Eddie's O.B.P.
It reads a cool - One Thousand,
Safe for all eternity.

:atthepc :waving

... and now, - the regular stuff ...

December 24, 1940: Merry Christmas, Johnny Allen! The Cleveland Indians brighten pitcher Johnny Allen's Christmas by selling him to the St. Louis Browns today for $20,000. Allen, whose lifetime record spans from 1932 through 1944, will go 2 and 5 for the 1941 Browns in 20 games, but he will be waived to the Dodgers on July 30th of that same year. Allen reaches Brooklyn in time to go 3-0 and help the Dodgers to their first pennant in 21 years. Allen later finishes with a career record of 142 wins, 75 losses, and an E.R.A. of 3.75

Births on December 24th

Yale Yeastman "Tod" Sloan is born on December 24, 1890 in Madisonville, Tennessee. The lefty hitting, righty throwing outfielder will sprinkle 3 years of service (1913, 1917, & 1919) with the Browns and bat .234 for his wholly Browns career. Sloan will die on September 12, 1956 in Akron, Ohio at the age of 65.

John Bernard "Jack" Graham is born on Christmas Eve 1916 in Minneapolis. The lefty 1st sacker will hit 24 homers and bat .238 for the 1949 Browns, but that season also marks the end of his big league career. Including some time with the Dodgers and Giants in 1946, Graham left a mark of .231 and 38 career homers. Graham will pass away on December 30, 1998 in Los Alamitos, California at the age of 82.

Deaths on Christmas Eve

John Aloysius "Johnnie" Heving dies on December 24, 1968 in Salisbury, North Carolina at the age of 72. The BR/TR catcher's Brpwns career consisted entirely of 1 fruitless time at bat in 1922. It also was his only game appearance of the 1922 year, but Heving was no gone-for-gooder. Heving came back with the Red Sox and Athletics to play 8 seasons in the big leagues (1922, 1924-1925, 1928-1932), finishing with a BA of .265 and 1 HR in 399 games. Johnnie Heving was born on April 29, 1896 in Covington, Kentucky.

William Edward "Bill" Friel dies on December 24, 1959 in St. Louis at the age of 82. Born on April 1, 1879 in Renovo, PA, Friel was one of the original Browns who came over to St. Louis with the roster of the transfered Brewers from Milwaukee. The all around utility guy played every position at one time or another and batted .245 for his year year MLB career (1901-03).

George Hartley "George" McQuinn dies on December 24, 1978 in Alexandria, Virginia, at the age of 68. George's birthdate is May 29, 1910. He was born in Arlington, Virginia. The longtime lefty 1st baseman of the Browns (1938-45) was one of the pennant and World Series heroes of the Browns' 1944 American League championship club. Over his whole big league career (1936-1948), McQuinn batted .276 with 135 homers.

Robert Julius "Bob" Habenicht dies on Christmas Eve 1980 in Richmond, Virginia at the age of 54. Habenicht was born on February 13, 1926 in St. Louis. Bob had brief stays with both of his hometown clubs, the 1951 Cardinals and 1953 Browns, as a righthanded pitcher. He racked up no decisions for either in 6 2/3 innings, but he was there long enough to leave a 6.76 E.R.A. as his career MLB mark.

Merry Christmas to All Former Browns and Fans!
And May Your Holiday Time Be Merry and Bright!
Todays reference links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/DECEMBER24.stm

Bill_McCurdy

12-25-2004, 06:02 AM

Merry Christmas, Browns Fans!

Christmas Day Births

William J. "Barry" McCormick is born on December 25, 1874 on Maysville, Kentucky. In a big league career which spans from 1895 to 1904, Barry hits .238 as a righthanded infielder. McCormick is one of the original Browns, hitting .246 in 1902 and .217 in 1903. He will die on January 28, 1956 in Cincinnati at the age of 81.

Francis Rogers "Frank" Ellerbe is born on on December 25, 1895 in Marion County, South Carolina. Ellerbe is best remembered as the righthanded-hitting infielder on some great Browns teams of the early 1920's (1921-1924). In a major league career which extends from 1919 to 1924, Ellerbe finishes with a lifetime BA of .268. He live until July 7, 1988 when he passes away at the age of 92 in Latta, South Carolina.

Eugene Edward "Gene" Robertson is born on December 25, 1898 in St. Louis. In a Browns career which extends from 1919 through 1926, Gene will hit .319 for the 1924 club as a lefthanded batting 3rd baseman. His total career covers the years from 1919 through 1930. He finishes with a career BA of .280. Robertson will die on October 21, 1981 in Fallon, NV at the age of almost 83.

Lloyd Andrew "Lefty" Brown is born in my natal hometown of Beeville, Texas on December 25, 1904. I'm proud to say that Lloyd Brown and fellow Beeville native Melvin "Bert" Gallia both went on to pitch for the St. Louis Browns at separate times. Pretty good record for our town, especially when you consider that early 20th century Beeville was a very small place that also produced Curt Walker, who hit .304 playing outfield in the big leagues from 1919 to 1930. Lefty was only 1 and 6 in his only year with the 1933 Browns, but he achieved a lifetime big league mark of 91 wins and 105 losses for some bad teams from 1925 through 1940. Lloyd Brown also holds the ignominious record of giving uo 4 of Lou Gehrig's 23 record grand slam home runs. Brown died on January 14, 1974 in Opa-Locka, Florida at the age of 69.

Ned Franklin (The One & Only "Ned") Garver is born on December 25, 1925 in Ney, Ohio. Famous to Browns fans as the guy who went 20 wins and 12 losses for the last place 1951 Browns, who were only 52 wins and 102 losses as a team, Ned is a regular attendee of our annual Brownie Round Ups in St. Louis and one of the funniest after dinner speakers of all time. Garver pitched for the Browns from 1948 to 1952, but his total big league career extended to 1961. The righthander's lifetime record for some bad teams was 129 wins and 157 losses, with an E.R.A. of 3.73. At Christmas time 2004, Ned Garver is 79 and very much alive and kicking.

http://www.collective.net/img/bowman1950/detail_51.gif
Ned Garver, A Browns Icon.

Happy Birthday, Ned! :clapping

http://www.sabr.org/cmsimgs/Ned_Garver_cover.BMP

Michael John "Mike" Blyzka is born on December 25, 1928 in Hamtramck, Michigan. Mike only played two years in the big leagues, but they were both landmark years. He was a 2-6 righthanded pitcher for the last Browns ball club in 1953 - and a 1-5 hurler for the first Baltimore Orioles club of 1954. Until his recent death in Cheyenne, Wyoming on October 13, 2004 at the age of 75, Mike was a regular attendee of our annual Brownie Round Ups in St. Louis and one of the nicest guys you could ever hope to meet.

We already miss you, Mike. God Bless.

Deaths on Christmas Day

Unless someone finds one that I failed to unearth, it appears that former Browns, so far, have drawn a bye on dying Christmas Day, Let's hope our good fortune continues.

Merry Christmas again, everyone. Now I've got to peel out of here and take care of some last minute Christmas preparations that have to do with things we need from the grocery store. :waving

Today's reference link ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Bill_McCurdy

12-26-2004, 07:35 AM

http://www.travelhero.com/commonImages/destinations/baseballhof2.jpg
December 26th is NOT exactly a Hall of Famer Day
In St. Louis Browns history, but we still remember.

Birthdates on December 26

Albert Joseph "Al" Milnar is born on December 26, 1913. The lefty pitcher will compile a Browns record of 2 wins and 2 losses for the 1943 and 1946 clubs. Milnar's overall big league record, mostly with the Indians, is 57 wins and 58 losses. His big league service span begins in 1936 and finishes with the Browns and Phillies in 1946. Milnar is celebrating his 91st birthday this morning.

Happy Birthday, Al Milnar!

Deaths on December 26

Philip "Phil" Stremmel dies on December 26, 1947 in Chicago at the age of 67. Born on April 16, 1880 in Zanesville, Ohio, Stremmel was a righthanded pitcher for the 1909-1910 Browns, compiling a 0 wins and 4 losses record as his totally ignominious baseball legacy. Regardless of his stats, the one condition that will not change is our often repeated fact. - He got there. For two seasons, Phil Stremmel did what millions of other ballplayers only dream of doing.

James Melvin "Jim" Bilbrey dies on December 26, 1985 at the age of 61 in Toledo, Ohio. Born on April 20, 1924 in Rickman, Tennessee, Bilbrey's entire MLB record is limited to one inning he pitched for the Browns on May 17, 1949. Bilbrey was not involved in the decision that day, but his 18.00 E.R.A. for that one inning of work probably led to the decision that kept him from further opportunity. Still, he had his shot.

BCT/GB, Jim Bilbrey! :clapping

Today's Reference Link ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Bill_McCurdy

12-27-2004, 04:48 AM

Births on December 27th

None to be found. Brownie mothers apparently were too busy checking out the after-Christmas sales during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. :rolleyes:

Deaths on December 27th

Frederick William Alexander "Frtiz" Buelow dies at age 56 on December 27, 1933 in Detroit. Fritz's full name was longer than his 26-game career with the 1907 Browns and much more powerful than the $1.46 batting average he racked up that year as a part-time catcher. Over the course of his total big league career, Buelow failed to reach Mendoza before there even was such a name for the .200 mark by achieving a mark of .192 from 1899 to 1907. Fritz came by his teutonic name quite naturally. He was born in Berlin, Germany on February 13, 1876.

http://www.collective.net/img/bowman1950/detail_158.gif
Paul Lehner (In His 1950 Philadelphia A's Bowman Card.)

Paul Eugene "Paul" Lehner dies at age 47 on December 27, 1967 in Brimingham, Alabama. The all-lefty outfielder enjoyed two tours with the Browns (1946-1949 and 1951) and batted .257 over the course of his total big league career. Lehner was born on July 1, 1920 in Dolomite, Alabama.

Today's reference link ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Bill_McCurdy

12-28-2004, 05:05 AM

On this date in Brownie history, December 28th ... nothing happened!

http://www.frankfrisch.com/images/sports01.jpg
Just three days past Christmas,
As best we can bridge it,
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even a midget.

Nobody made the news today. Nobody was born. And nobody died. We may choose to surmise that this kind of day was the Browns family way of trying to live out the season's wish for peace on earth. Of course, that assumption drops us right into the philosophical trough of "is a state of nothingness really synonymous with the condition of peace?" - and that one, my friends, was a question the Browns found little comfort in embracing for the better part of fifty-two years. :eek:

Oh well. Tomorrow is another day. :atthepc

Bill_McCurdy

12-29-2004, 05:17 AM

December 29, 1919: Red Sox Acquire Eddie Foster.

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/photos/headshots/Foster_Eddie.gif
Steady Eddie Foster.

In a move that stirs the embers of the New England Hot Stove League, the Boston Red Sox send outfielder Braggo Roth and 2nd baseman Red Shannon to Washington for pitcher Harry Harper, outfielder Mike Menoskey and 3rd baseman Eddie Foster. On August 15, 1922, the Browns will acquire Foster on waivers from the Red Sox. Foster will hit .306 in 37 games for the '22 Browns and become one of the reasons they almost win their first pennant that year. Foster stood only 5'6", but he was considered by many as the best hit-and-run guy of his era. Foster's clutch hitting once knocked out Eddie Plank's last shot at a non-hitter. In 1917, the 42-year old Plank had gone 8 2/3 innings against the Senators and was a closing in on the big fish. Unfortunately for Plank, he then walked a batter and had to face Eddie Foster. Foster promptly doubled home the runner to end Plank's hope for the no-no. On this date in history, December 29, 1919, Foster was on his way to the Red Sox, but he would have a later more important role in the history of the Browns.

Births on December 29

William Lusk "Bill" McAllester is born on December 29, 1889 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. McAllester will play baseball at the University of Tennessee and then see one year of action as a catcher in 39 games for the 1913 Browns. He will hit go 13 for 85 - good enough for a .153 BA and a one-way ticket back to Palookaville. McAllester will die in his birth city at the age of 80 on March 3, 1970.

George Wilson "George" Aiton is born on December 29, 1890 in Kingman, Kansas. Wilson will go 4 for 17 (.235) as an outfielder for the 1912 Browns and then disappear forever from the big leagues. Wilson will die on August 16, 1976 in Van Nuys, California at the age of 85.

William Hart "Bill" Knickerbocker is born on December 29, 1911 in Los Angeles, California. Knickerbocker will enjoy a nine-year career in the big leagues (1833-1942) as a middle infielder for five different clubs. He will play one season for the 1937 Browns and hit .261 in 121 games. His career BA will end up at a pretty fair .276 over 897 games. Knickerbocker will die at the age of 51 in Sebastopol, California. The date of his death was September 8, 1963.

Thomas Herbert "Tom" Upton is born on December 29, 1926 in Esther, Missouri. Upton will play three years in the majors (1950-1952) as a middle infielder and all but 5 of at bats for the '52 Senators will be taken as a Brown. Upton finishes with a .225 BA for 525 total AB's.

Happy 78th Birthday, Tom Upton!

Deaths on December 29

George Franklin "George" Blaeholder

http://www.three-eye.com/pics/blaeholder.jpg
George Blaeholder

George Blaeholder dies at nearly age 45 on December 29, 1947 in Garden Grove, California. The 5' 11" righthander racked up 90 wins and 111 losses for the Browns from 1925 to 1935. He was moved to the Athletics early in the 1935 season and he finished his career in 1936 with the Indians. His career record was 104 wins, 125 losses, and an E.R.A. of 4.54. Blaeholder was born on January 26, 1904 in Orange, California.

Walter Ernest "Walt" Alexander dies at age 87 on December 29, 1978 in Fort Worth, Texas. Alexander was a catcher for the 1912-1913 and 1915 Browns and he hit .188 for his total 162-game career (1912-1917). Alexander was born on March 3, 1891 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Edward Arthur "Ed" Albrecht dies at age 70 in Cahokia, Illinois. Albrecht was 1-1 as a righthanded pitcher for the 1949-1950 Browns in his total career as a big leaguer. He was born on February 28, 1929 in Affton, Missouri.

Today the Browns started making up for all the birthdays and funerals they missed on December 28th. ;)

Today's reference links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/DECEMBER29.stm

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/F/Foster_Eddie.stm

http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

westsidegrounds

12-29-2004, 07:50 PM

[QUOTE=Bill_McCurdy]December 29

[SIZE=2][B]George Franklin "George" Blaeholder

http://www.three-eye.com/pics/blaeholder.jpg
George Blaeholder

George Blaeholder dies at nearly age 45 on December 29, 1947 in Garden Grove, California. The 5' 11" righthander racked up 90 wins and 111 losses for the Browns from 1925 to 1935. He was moved to the Athletics early in the 1935 season and he finished his career in 1936 with the Indians. His career record was 104 wins, 125 losses, and an E.R.A. of 4.54. Blaeholder was born on January 26, 1904 in Orange, California.

QUOTE]

Very probably the inventor (discoveror?) of the slider, and since Candy Cummings is in the HOF for possibly inventing the curve, our guy should be enshrined too.

Plus if you mentioned George Blaeholder's name on the street nobody would assume you were talking about a porn star, unlike ...

Bill_McCurdy

12-30-2004, 04:37 AM

http://www.three-eye.com/pics/blaeholder.jpg
George Blaeholder

Westsidegrounds: "Very probably the inventor (discoveror?) of the slider, and since Candy Cummings is in the HOF for possibly inventing the curve, our guy should be enshrined too.

"Plus if you mentioned George Blaeholder's name on the street nobody would assume you were talking about a porn star, unlike ..."

:laugh :rolleyes: :atthepc

Very good points, WSG, although the inventor of the slider may be debated forever. A lot of people think that Christy Mathewson's fadeaway ball was the first slider and that even the great Giant star was simply the first big leaguer to use what he had personally learned from the great Rube Foster of Negro League baseball fame.

As for the name Candy Cummings sounding like a porn star, our Browns are not off the hook on that score. Remember? We once had a center fielder named Baby Doll. ;)

Bill_McCurdy

12-30-2004, 04:55 AM

Births on December 30

Peter John "Pete" Laydon is born in Dallas, Texas on December 30, 1919. He will play baseball at the University of Texas and finally make his way to the St. Louis Browns for one brief stay in 1948. Laydon will go 26 for 104 (.250) in 41 games as a righthanded hitting outfielder for the '48 Browns before leaving the big league scene for all time. Laydon will die at the age of 62 in Edna, Texas on July 18, 1982.

Deaths on December 30

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/photos/headshots/Billings_Josh.gif
Josh Billings

John Augustus "Josh" Billings dies on December 30, 1981 in Santa Monica, California. He was 89. Billings played college baseball at Oklahoma A&M and then went on to a major league career, breaking in on September 9, 1913 with the Cleveland Naps. Cleveland traded Billings to the Browns in March 1919 in exchange for another catcher, Les Nunamaker. All told, Billings played for 11 seasons and he ended his big league playing career in 1923. He will play catcher for the Browns from 1919 to 1923. He will hit only .217 over the course of his total career. Billings was born on November 30, 1892 in Grantville, Kansas.

Bill_McCurdy

12-31-2004, 05:56 AM

December 31, 1949: "The Times They Are a Changin'."

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Negrolg/NLinCuba/ThompsonHenry.jpg
Hank Thompson became the 1st black Brown when he played 2nd base on July 17, 1947.

http://www.nlbpa.com/brown_willard.jpg
Willard Brown joined Thompson with the Browns in a game played on July 20, 1947 and promptly hit the 1st home run by a black American Leaguer.

Eight Men In: Breaking The Color Line. Nothing is forever - and thank God, or your lucky stars, for that one. The decade of the 1940's draws to a close with the ugly, shameful, and unjust color line cleanly broken in the big leagues, but still challenged numerically. Of the 400 major league ballplayers through the close of the 1949 season, only 8 are black. The Dodgers and Indians each have 3 black players and the NY Giants have 2. Another decade will pass before all big league clubs integrate, but most clubs will be playing blacks within the next two years.

Attendance. All but the Browns, Cubs, and Reds set attendance records in the 1940s. Some things don't seem to change, but we need to remember that turns for the worse - and going faster in a certain direction are forms of change too.

Night Ball. There were only 81 scheduled night games in 1940, but that total rose to 384 in 1949. The changing preference for night games is amplified by news of the upcoming season schedule for 1950. The St. Louis Cardinals will be permitted to open the season against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Sportsman's Park in a night game.

Ballpark Construction. The 1940's will close as the only decade in baseball history that sees no new ballpark construction. The last new ballpark in the majors built to this date in history was Municipal Stadium in Cleveland in 1932.

Births on December 31

Charles James "Charlie" Flanagan is born on December 31, 1891 in Oakland, California. Flanagan's total big league career consists of an 0 for 3 job in 4 games as a 3rd baseman-outfielder for the 1913 Browns. Flanagan will die January 8, 1930 in San Francisco at the age of 39.

Thomas Joseph "Tommy" Byrne

http://www.vintagecardtraders.org/virtual/52bowman/52bowman-061.jpg
Tommy Byrne

Tommy Byrne is born on December 31, 1919 in Baltimore, Maryland. In a big league pitching career (1943-1957) that includes two major stints with the Yankees, lefty Byrne registers a record of 85 wins 69 losses, and E.R.A. of 4.11. During his two seasons as a Brown (1951-1952), Byrne post 11 wins and 24 losses. Byrne attended one of our annual Brownie reunions in 1999. He was a very nice fellow and in good shape. At that time, he was still an active golfer.

Happy 85th Birthday, Tommy Byrne!

I share a special kinship with Charlie Flanagan and Tommy Byrne. This is my birthday too. - This morning I am older than dirt, but that sure as hell beats the alternative. :rolleyes:

Deaths on December 31

Harry ("Harry" or "Fritz") Dorish passes away in Wilkes-Barre, PA on December 31, 2000 at the age of 79. The BR/TR pitcher had a 10-year (1947-1956) MLB career record of 45 wins, 43 losses, and an ERA of 3.83. In his only year with the 1950 Browns, Dorish was 4-9 with an ERA of 6.44 - Harry Dorish was born on July 13, 1921 in Swoyersville, Pennsylvania.

Today's Reference Links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/DECEMBER31.stm

http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

http://www.wedding-disc-jockeys.com/all-pictures/new-years-eve-decorations.jpg

Should auld acquaintance - be forgot,
And never brought to mind,
We'll taste a cup of kindness here,
For all Browns - that we shall find.

Happy New Year, Everybody!

Bill_McCurdy

01-01-2005, 05:37 AM

Births on January 1

Joseph Samuel "Silent Joe" Martin is born on January 1, 1876 in Hollidaysburg, PA. Joe is another one-season celebrator, splitting his 79-game career as a lefthanded batting, righthanded throwing utility man for the 1903 Senators (35) and Browns (44). Martin goes 64 for 292 with no homers to finish his brief hour in the sun at .219. It will be a long memory for Martin. He will live beyond age 88 before finally dying in Altoona, PA on May 25, 1964. Why did they call him "Silent Joe?" - We don't know. Maybe the fact that we don't know is it's own explanation. :noidea

Ethan Nathan "Ethan" Allen

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/pics/ethan_allen_autograph.jpg
Ethan Allen

Ethan Allen is born on January 1, 1904 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Allen will play ball for the University of Cincinnati before he goes on to a long MLB career (1926-1938) as a lifetime .300 hitter and outstanding righthanded outfielder. Allen finished his career with the 1937-1938 Browns and he keeps up the good hitting, going 319 in '37 for 103 games and .303 in '38 for 19 games. January 1st seems to be a birthdate for long life people. Allen will pass away on September 15, 1993 at the age of 89.

Deaths on January 1

Harry Francis "Harry" Rice dies on January 1, 1971 in Portland, Oregon at age 69. Rice spent the first 5 seasons of his MLB career as a Brown. From 1923 to 1933, he batted .299 as a lefty-hitting, righthanded throwing outfielder. His best year was with the '25 Browns when he hit .359 in 354 total at bats. Rice was born in Ware Station, Illinois on November 22, 1901.

George Washington "Buck" Stanton

http://re2.mm-b.yimg.com/image/592182804
"I cannot tell a lie. It was not I who batted .200
in limited action for the 1931 St. Louis Browns."

http://thm-b.search.vip.scd.yahoo.com/image/487490999
"Uh ... me neither!"

George Washington "Buck" Stanton dies on January 1, 1992 in San Antonio, Texas at the age 0f 85. Stanton went 3 for 15 as a lefty-all-the-way right fielder for the 1931 Browns before taking his hidden but famous first and middle names with him into the greater regions of everyday anonymity. Buck was born on June 19, 1906 in Stantonsburg, NC. He played baseball at the University of North Carolina before turning professional.

Len Dondero
Birth Name: Leonard Peter Dondero Bats : Right
Born On: 09-12-1903 Throws : Right
Born In: Newark, California Height : 5-11
Died On: 01-01-1999 Weight : 178
Died In: Fremont, California First Game: 04-21-1929
College: Saint Mary's College of California Last Game: 08-11-1929
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Infielder Len Dondero was 6 for 31 (.194) with one homer in his only MLB time of 19 games played for the 1929 Browns. Then he set journey t the Land of Gone for Good. - Len Dondero was 65 when he died in 1999. - BCT/GB, Len Dondero! :coffee

Today's reference link ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Happy New Years Day, Browns Fans! :clapping :coffee :clapping

Bill_McCurdy

01-02-2005, 05:07 AM

Births on January 2

George Henry "George" Boehler is born on January 2, 1892 in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Boehler's 9-year MLB pitching career stretches over parts of seasons from 1912 to 1926. He is 0 and 1 over 8 total innings pitched for the 1920-21 Browns and he finishes his career with a record of 6 wins 12 losses - and an E.R.A. of 4.72. The righthanded Boehler will die in his birth home town at the age of 66 on June 23, 1958.

Tedd Jasper "Ted" Gullic is born on January 2, 1907 in Koshkonong, Missouri. The righthanded outfielder/3rd-1st baseman has two stints in the big leagues, both times as a Brown in 1930 and 1933. He hits .247 in 612 official AB's. Yes, his first name really was "Tedd" with two "d"s, but everyone calls him just plain "Ted" with one "d". I guess this makes Gullic the answer to the trivia question: What major leaguer shortened his legal first name by dropping only a single letter? Gullic will live to see age 93. He will pass away on January 28, 2000 in West Plains, Missouri.

Ralph "Red" Kress is born on January 2, 1907 in Columbia, California.

http://www.tigershistory.com/players/k/kress_red.jpg
Red Kress Had A Whole Lotta
Wrong Time, Wrong Place Luck!

After serving the 1962 season as one of manager Casey Stengel's coaches on the maiden voyage of the Bad Ship Mets, former Brown Red Kress dies on November 29, 1962 in Los Angeles of a heart attack at age 55.

Red's baseball life was a mixture of good hitting, Jekyll & Hyde fielding, bum luck, lots of heart, and plenty of resilience. During his early years as a St. Louis Brown (1927-31), Kress hit well, posting full-season averages of .305 in 1929, .313 in 1930, and .311 in 1931. Kress also posted over 100 RBIs in each of those plus .300 batting years.

In the field, Red Kress led American League shortstops in 1929, but then turned around the next year and led the league in errors in 1930. The Browns moved him from shortstop in 1931 so Jim Levey could take over. Levey, in turn, led the league in errors. Gotta be the uniform, right?

In 1932, St. Louis traded Kress to the White Sox just as the Chicagoans were getting ready to start a young rookie from North Carolina by the name of Luke Appling. Kress adapted to playing wherever he was needed. Red was dealt to the Senators in early 1934. All he faced there as his competition at shortstop was manager Joe Cronin, another future Hall of Famer.

Kress spent 1937 in Minneapolis of the American Association, hitting .330 and leading shortstops in total chances, the Browns reacquired him. Played at short, he responded by hitting .302 and leading the league in fielding. Traded to Detroit in 1939, he broke his leg during the season. In 1940, the pennant-bound Tigers released the destiny-flawed Kress.

Red Kress hung in there long enough to collect 1,454 hits and a .286 average for his major league career. Red Kress survived a lot of adversity in his time, but he had learned to recognize new baseball versions of the Titanic better than most. By the time of his death, Kress had tendered his resignation from another year with the expansion Mets.

Deaths on January 2

James Walter "Jim" (Little Nemo) Stephens is dead at the age of 81 on January 2, 1965 in Oxford, Alabama. In a 6-year career as a Browns/MLB catcher, Stephens hits .220. The 5' 6 1/2" righthander doesn't have much power. In 1,252 total official AB's, Little Nemo hits only 3 homers. Stephens was born on December 10, 1883 in Salineville, Ohio.

Oscar Estrada dies on January 2, 1978 in Havana, Cuba at the age of nearly 74. Estrada pitched one inning for the Browns on April 21, 1929, surrendering no runs on one hit and getting no decision. That was it for Oscar. That was his total MLB career. The lefty Estrada was born on February 15, 1904 in his native cty and country, Havana, Cuba.

Paul Hopkins
Birth Name: Paul Henry Hopkins Bats : Right
Born On: 09-25-1904 Throws : Right
Born In: Chester, Connecticut Height : 6-00
Died On: 01-02-2004 Weight : 175
Died In: Middletown, Connecticut First Game: 09-29-1927
College: Colgate University Last Game: 07-12-1929
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Paul Hopkins is rembered best for his long life span. He pitched only 23.1 big league innings (the last 2 innings as a Brown) in 2 seasons (1927, 1929), achieving a total record of 1 win, 1 loss, and an ERA of 2.96. - When he died in 2004 at the age 99, however, he passed away as the world's oldest living former major leaguer.

BCT/GB, Paul Hopkins! :clapping

Today's reference link ...http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Bill_McCurdy

01-03-2005, 05:04 AM

http://re2.mm-a.yimg.com/image/186994450

"One is the loneliest number that you'll ever know,
Two can be as sad as one,
It's the loneliest number since the number One."

- Three Dog Night

Two of our guys today had Browns careers of one AB each. :atthepc

Births on January 3

James Robert "Jim" McLaughlin is born in St. Louis on January 3, 1902. In another just-beyond-Moonlight-Graham moment, Jim goes 0 for 1 as a Brown in a game played on April 18, 1932. He is never heard from again in the MLB record books, but his one time at bat did produce 1 RBI. For what it's worth, he was a righthanded hitter and his position (somewhere) was 3rd base. McLaughlin will pass away at the age of 66 in Mount Vernon, Illinois on December 18, 1968.

Deaths on January 3

George Robert "George" Stone dies at age 68 in Clinton, Iowa on January 3, 1945. The lefthanded outfielder was a very productive hitter for the early 1905 to 1910 Browns, finishing with a career average of .301 and 23 homers for his 808-game career. The totals include 2 AB's for the Boston Americans in 1903. Stone's best year was 1906 when he collected 208 hits and batted .358. George Stone was born on September 3, 1877 in Lost Nation, Iowa.

Ernest Luther "Luther" Bonin dies on January 3, 1966 in Sycamore, Ohio at the age of 78. Bonin had one fruitless AB with the 1913 Browns before completing his playing experiencce with the Buffalo Buffeds of the 1914 Federal League as a lefty hitting, righty throwing outfielder with a .184 average in 20 games. Bonin was born on January 13, 1888 in Greenhill, Indiana.

Alojzy Frank "Ollie" Bejma dies on January 3, 1995 in South Bend, Indiana at the age of 87. Bejma was a Browns utility infielder for 3 seasons (1934-1936) and also played one additional year (1939) for the White Sox as same. He had a career .245 average. Bejma was born on September 12, 1907, also in South Bend.

Joe Ostrowski
Birth Name: Joseph Paul Ostrowski
Nickname: Professor
Born On: 11-15-1916
Born In: West Wyoming, Pennsylvania
Zodiac: Scorpio
Died On: 01-03-2003
Died In: Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Cemetery: St. Joseph Church Cemetery, West Wyoming, Pennsylvania
College: University of Scranton
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Height: 6-00
Weight: 180
First Game: 07-18-1948 (Age 31)
Last Game: 08-20-1952
Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Joe Ostrowski had a 5-season MLB career (1948-1952) in which he posted a record of 23-25 and an ERA of 4.54. )strowski broke in with the Browns and was 14-18 with them for 2+ seasons of work (1948-1950). - Joe Ostrowski was 86 when he died in 2003.

Today's Reference Link ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Bill_McCurdy

01-04-2005, 05:12 AM

January 4, 1942: Hornsby Gets HOF Nod. Former Browns manager and player Rogers Hornsby becomes the 14th member of the new Baseball Hall of Fame when he gets 78% of the votes cast for induction. Of course, Hornsby's really going into Cooperstown for his work with the Cardinals and elsewhere. His work with the Browns was not exactly the stuff that dreams were made of.

http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/hofer_bios/images/hornsby_rogers_1.jpg
Rogers Hornsby: A Great Hitter, But ...
a Compulsive Gambler and Perfectionist
Who Mishandled People With The Worst
Of 'Em!

January 4, 1916: Browns Have A Ball! The settlement of the Federal League War comes partially down to awards of MLB power to the stronger members of the vanquished in exchange for certain death to the rival circuit. What else is new? The St. Louis Browns are the first of two big league franchises awarded to former Federal League owners. Philip de Catesby Ball, ice-manufacturing tycoon and principal stockholder of the Federal League's St. Louis Terriers, pays a reported $525,000 for the St. Louis Browns. His first major move is to replace Browns manager Branch Rickey with his own guy, Fielder Jones. Chasing Rickey to the same town Cardinals ultimately proves to be a major long term poison in the bloodstream of the Browns franchise. How often does a gun buyer shoot himself in the foot on the first day with the first bullet fired?

Births on January 4

Robert "Bob" Spade is born on January 4, 1877 in Akron, Ohio. Spade's 4-year MLB career with the Reds and Browns (1907 to 1910) is 25 wins and 24 losses as a righty. He is dealt to the Browns during the 1910 season by the Reds and he goes 1 and 3 in his final 7 games as a big league pitcher. Spade will pass away at the age of 47 in Cincinnati on September 7, 1924.

Charles Elmer "Charlie" Miller is born on January 4, 1892 in Warrensburg, MO. An apparent late-season look-see shortstop, Charlie handles two assists flawlessly in the field on September 18, 1912 for the Browns and goes 0 for 2 at bat. From there, he Warhols into history, never to be seen again on the big league scene. Miller will die on April 23, 1972 in his birth hometown at the age of 82.

BCT/GB, Charlie Miller! :clapping

Alexander "Alex" Metzler is born on January 4, 1903 in Fresno, California. The left-side hitting, right-hand throwing outfiielder finishes the last half of his 6th and final year in the najors with the 1930 Browns and hits .258 in 209 trips to the plate. His career (1925-1930) average is .285 as an outfielder. Metzler will die on November 30, 1973 in Fresno at the age of 70.

Deaths on January 4

Clarence Calvert "Sam" Covington passes away on January 4, 1963 in Denison, Texas at the age of 68. Clarence Calvert "Sam" Covington was born on December 18, 1894 in Henryville, Tennessee. "Sam" was 9 for 60 (.150 BA) in 20 games as a 1st baseman for the 1913 Browns. He also sae very limited action for the 1917-18 Boston Braves and finished his short career with a BA of .178.

Bradford Louis "Brad" Springer is dead at age 65 on January 4, 1970 in Birmingham, Michigan. Brad pitched three innings for the 1925 Browns, racking up no record and a 3.00 E.R.A. In 1926, Springer pitches 4 outs for the Reds and is done. He achieves no record in the big leagues, but he does register an E.R.A. of 4.16 for 4 and 1/3 innings of career work. Springer was a lefty. He was born on May 9, 1904 in Detroit.

William Joseph "Billy" Sullivan, Jr. dies at the age of 83 in Sarasota, Florida on January 4, 1994. The Notre Dame graduate had a long career in the big leagues (1931-1947) with several clubs as a lefty-hitting utility man. His .289 career average over the course of 962-game career is proof enough of his hitting ability. Sullivan played for 1938 and 1939 Browns and saw full-time service. Billy Sullivan was born on October 23, 1910 in Chicago.

Today's Reference Links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/JANUARY4.stm

http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Bill_McCurdy

01-05-2005, 04:12 AM

Births on January 5

James Luther "Luke" Sewell

http://diamondtide.tidefans.com/images/luke_sewell.jpg
Luke Sewell

Luke Sewell is born on January 5, 1901 in Titus, Alabama. The 20-year MLB catcher (1921-1942, .259) is the younger brother of HOF shortstop Joe Sewell. Luke will retire following the 1939 season, but he will take over as manager of the Browns for Fred Haney during the 1941 season. Sewell will extend his playing record by going 1 for 12 times at bats as the Browns manager in 1942. Luke Sewell will continue as manager of the Browns and will lead them to their only American League pennant in 1944. He will be replaced as Browns manager during the 1946 season by Zack Taylor. Luke will pass away in Akron, Ohio on May 14, 1987 at the age of 86.

Joseph Laverne "Joe" Grace is born on January 5, 1914 in Gorham Illinois. Grace is a lefty hitting, righthanded throwing outfielder for the Browns from 1938 to 1941. Following a "break" for World War II, Grace returns to the Browns in 1946, but is dealt to the Senators before season's end. Following a partial season with the Senators again in 1947, Grace's MLB career ends on a productive career note. His BA for 6 seasons is .283. Grace will pass away at age 55 in Murphysboror, Illinois on September 18, 1969.

John Henry "Handsome Jack" Kramer is born on January 5, 1918 in New Orleans. Kramer is a stellar righthanded pitcher for the Browns from 1939 through 1947, going 17-13 for their 1944 American League champions. Jack's career continues through 1951 with the Red Sox, Giants, and Yankees. He finishes with an MLB mark of 95 wins, 103 losses, and E.R.A. of 4.24. Kramer dies at age 77 in Metairie, Louisiana on May 18, 1995.

Fred Francis "Fred" Marsh is born on January 5, 1924 in Valley Falls, Kansas. Marsh's career (1949-1956) includes two seasons as a utility infielder for the 1951-1952 Browns. He finishes with an MLB career BA of .239.

Happy 81st Birthday, Fred Marsh! :)

Deaths on January 5

Rogers Hornsby died on January 5, 1963 in Chicago at age 67. Recalled by many as the greatest righthanded hitter of all time (.358 career BA), Hornsby was active as a player from 1916 through 1937. He managed the 1926 Cardinals to their first World Series title and twice served as manager of the Browns in the 1930's and early 1950's. Taking over late in 1933, Hornsby managed the hapless Browns until he was replaced in 1937 by Jim Bottomley. Hornsby was brought back as manager of the 1952 Browns by Bill Veeck, but was so hated by the players that he was replaced by Marty Marion after only 50 games at the helm. Hornsby was a no-brainer Hall of Fame player, but absolutely awful when it came down to dealing with people - especially those who played with limited ability for bad clubs like the Browns. Rogers Hornsby was born on April 27, 1896 in Winterset, Texas. R.I.P., Rajah! - Nobody's perfect, but you came close - as a hitter.

Today's reference link ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Bill_McCurdy

01-06-2005, 04:56 AM

Births on January 6

Joseph Henry "Joe" Lake is born on January 6, 1881 in Brooklyn, NY. Lakes' righthanded big league pitching career (1908-1913) includes some serious time with the Browns (1910-1912). He finishes with a career mark of 62 wins, 90 losses, and an E.R.A. of 2.85. Joe Lake will pass away on June 30, 1950 in Brooklyn hometown at the age of 69.

George Addison "George" Grant is born on January 6, 1903 in East Tallassee, Alabama. After playing baseball at Auburn University, Brown begins his MLB career as a righthanded pitcher for the Browns on September 9, 1923. Brown goes only 1 and 4 as a Brown in brief work for the Browns (1923-1925) before moving on to longer time with the Indians and a final season with the Pirates. For his career (1923-19310, Brown goes 15 and 20 with an E.R.A. of 5.65. George Brown will die in Montgomery, Alabama at the age of 83. The date of his death was March 25, 1986.

Harold Charles "Hal" Warnock is born on January 6, 1912 in New York City. Hal is 2 for 7 (the quickest route to .286) as a BR/TR outfielder for the 1935 Browns and then moves on to obscurities that go non-recorded by MLB historians. Interesting to note: Warnock played ball for the University of Arizona before his short-term as Brown. Nothing special: Hal wore Browns uniform # 25, if ever so briefly. Warnock will die on February 8, 1997 in Tucson, AZ at the age of 85.

Thomas Jerome "Tom" Ferrick

http://re2.mm-a.yimg.com/image/356727937
Tom Ferrick's
'51 Bowman Card

http://www.pasportshalloffame-dcc.com/inductes/1976/1976ferrick.jpg
Tom Ferrick
As a Yankee

Tom Ferrick is born on January 6, 1915 in New York City. The righthanded pitcher's MLB career (1941-1952) includes two stints with the Browns (1946, 1949-1950). He finishes his big league time with a record of 40 wins, 40 losses, and an E.R.A. of 3.47. Tom will pass away on October 15, 1996 in Lima, PA at the age of 81.

Deaths on January 6

Charley O'Leary
Birth Name: Charles Timothy O'Leary Bats : Right
Born On: 10-15-1882 Throws : Right
Born In: Chicago, Illinois Height : 5-07
Died On: 01-06-1941 Weight : 165
Died In: Chicago, Illinois First Game: 04-14-1904
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-30-1934
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Utility player Charlie O'Leary was one of our technical Browns, After a 10 year career with other clubs (1904-1913), O'Leary appeared in one game as a gimmicky pinch hitter at age 51 years, 11 months, and 15 days for the Browns on September 30, 1934 - a full 30 years after his rookie season. - Hey! The old man singled and later came around to score as the oldest MLB to that time who'd ever done so. - Charlie O'Leary died in 1941 at age 58.

Antone De "Tony" Rego picks an Alexander Cartwright setting for his departure. He dies on January 6, 1978 in Wailuku, Hawaii at the age of 81. The BR/TR backup catcher for the 1924-1925 Browns went 26 for 91 and a higher form of .286 in his only MLB time. Rego was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on October 31, 1897.

Fred Warren "Lefty" Stiely dies on January 6, 1981 in Valley View, PA at the age of 80. Lefty is 1 and 1 in his 3-year, 9-game Browns/MLB career (1929-1931). Stiely was born on June 6, 1901 in Pillow, PA. (Hmm! Lefty Stiely came here on a pillow and he left here with a valley view. His life sounds on the surface like a cushy ride.) ;)

William Joseph "Bill - Too Early To Be A Spaceman" Lee leaves this world on January 6, 1984 in West Hazelton (not to be confused with Cape Canaveral), PA at the age of 92 (minus 3 days.) Lee is 13 for 70 (.186 BA) as a BR/TR Browns/MLB outfielder/3rd baseman from 1915 to 1916. Lee was born on January 9, 1892 in Bayonne, NJ.

Roberto (Ventoza) "Bobby" Estalella passes away on January 6, 1991 in Hialeah, Florida at the age of 79. Estalella's career as a BR/TR OF/IF (1935-1949) includes a .241 BA for the 1941 Browns as a guy off the bench. Bobby finishes with an MLB career BA of .282 in 680 games. He was born in in Cardenas, Cuba in on April 25, 1911.

Today's reference link ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Bill_McCurdy

01-07-2005, 05:07 AM

January 7, 1933: Future Browns Championship Manager Traded.

http://www.qualitycards.com/pictures/11578362.jpg
Luke Sewell: His Baseball Career Played Out Like "Ole Man River."

The Washington Senators acquired veteran catcher Luke Sewell today in a trade with the Cleveland Indians for another seasoned receiver, 33-year old Roy Spencer. The Senators get the longer stick in this deal. Spencer will hit only .203 in 75 games for the 1933 Indians. Sewell will catch 141 games for the 1933 Senators and hit .264. - Eleven years henceforth, of course, Luke Sewell will manage the 1944 Browns to their first and only American League pennant.

Births on January 7

Grover Cleveland "Grover" Baichley is born on January 7, 1890 in Toledo, Ohio. The BR/TR pitcher from Valparaiso University will work only 4 games for the Browns in 1914. He records no wins or losses, but he gives up 5 runs (4 earned), 9 hits, 3 walks and a wild pitch in only 7 total innings for an E.R.A. of 5.14. He does record 3 strikeouts to chart out his limited, but complete MLB career as the Grover Cleveland What's-His-Name that few beyond family will recall to this day. This Grover C. will pass anonymously away at the age of 56 on June 30, 1946 in San Jose, California.

Franklin Thomas "Frank" Grube is born on January 7, 1905 in Easton, PA. The BR/TR catcher from Lafayette College enjoys a 7-year career with the White Sox and Browns (1931-1941). His two tours (1934-1945, 1941) with the Browns are part of a consistent pattern of Grube going back and forth between the two clubs. Never a full-time player, Grube hits for a career BA of .244 in only 394 total games played. He hit one home run during his 1931 rookie season and never hit another. One homer in 1,125 official times at bat helps Grube to a career slugging average of only .308. Four years after he plays his last MLB game, Frank Grube will die on July 2, 1945 in New York City at the age of 40. Based on available data, I do not know if Grube's death is related to service in World War II, but the timing of his early demise makes you wonder.

Deaths on January 7

James Thomas "Jumbo" Elliott passes away on January 7, 1970 in Terre Haute, Indiana at the age of 69. Yes, a fair BR/TR pitcher got his start, albeit a short one, with the Browns. He pitched one inning for the 1923 Browns club, giving up 3 earned runs on a hit and 3 walks on April 21st. Two years later, Elliott will return to the big leagues with Brooklyn and start moving on a career with three clubs that finishes in 1934 with a total record of 63 wins, 74 losses, and an E.R.A. of 4.24. Elliott had one more connection. He was born in St. Louis on October 22, 1900.

Ernest Dudley "Dud" Lee dies on January 7, 1971 in Denver, Colorado at the age of 71. The BL/TR utility infielder registers a career BA of .223 for the Browns (1923-1924) and Red Sox (1925-1926). Lee also was born on August 22, 1899 in Denver.

Chester Emanuel "Chet" Falk dies in Austin, Texas, the place of his birth, on January 7, 1982. He was 76. Chet's birthdate is May 15, 1905. This BL/TL pitcher is the brother of accomplished major league outfielder Bibb Falk, who later went on to an iconic career as head baseball coach at the The University of Texas. Chet Falk also pitched for UT before going pro. He moves from college ball to a 100%, less than stellar and brief Brownie big league career, registering a mark of 5 wins, 4 losses, and an E.R.A of 6.04 over 3 seasons (1925-1927) along the way.

Today's reference links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/JANUARY7.stm

http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Bill_McCurdy

01-08-2005, 06:51 AM

January 8, 1953: Tribe Nixes Night Games with Browns. Aren't you glad that MLB people worked out, or finally got over, all their money-grubbing greed problems? ;)

On this date in history, things weren't always so mellow. Today the Cleveland Indians rejected any plan for night games with the Browns at Sportsman's Park due to St. Louis owner Bill Veeck's refusal to share any income from the telecasts of these games.

Births on January 8

This Bud's For Everybody!

http://static.zoovy.com/img/rcm1/W180-H135-B000000/this_buds_for_you

He wasn't a Brown, but with a name like this one, I couldn't allow him to go totally unrecognized. >>>

Harry Budson "Bud" Weiser is born on January 8, 1891 in Shamokin, Pennsylvania. For some crazy, star-crossed reason, Bud Weiser escaped a career with the Cardinals in spite of his of his name. He would've been an oracular presence in the Cardinal lineup during the early 20th century. He also could've fit in nicely with the Browns on the basis of his performance. In 41 games for the 1915-1916 Phillies, Bud Weiser hit only .162 with no homers as a seldom used outfielder. Bud Weiser (the man) died on July 31, 1961 at the age 70. Here's a tip of the open bottle to you, Bud Weiser. Sorry you weren't able to fulfill your destiny of playing big league ball at some point for a club based in The Mound City. :crazy

Deaths on January 8

Charles James "Charlie" Flanagan dies on January 8, 1930 in San Francisco at the age of 39. Flanagan's total big league career consisted of an 0 for 3 job in two games as a 3rd baseman-outfielder for the 1913 Browns. He was born on December 31, 1891 in Oakland, California.

Herbert Edward "Herb" Cobb

http://images.overstock.com/f/102/3117/8h/www.overstock.com/images/products/muze/books/0516060279.jpg
Herb Cobb Husked
In Only Big League
Pitching Appearance.

Herb Cobb dies on January 8, 1980 in Tarboro, NC at the age of 75. Cobb pitched one shaky inning for the Browns on April 21, 1929 and was then gone forever from big league baseball. In that single stanza of work, Cobb earned his way out fast. Of the 7 batters he faced, 3 reached by hits and 1 worked a walk. Throw in 2 balks, no strikeouts, and a surrendered home run and the result was a 4 run (all earned) inning and a lifetime E.R.A. for one inning of work of 36.00. In spite of his showing, Cobb escaped getting the loss because of game circumstances. - Maybe it was a mop up role and Cobb was just taking one for the team. Every batter who reached base on Cobb eventually scored.

Cobb is another example of the capricious pattern of the Browns in some of their decisionmaking. Herb Cobb never got a second chance. Yet, in many other instances, the Browns kept sending guys back out there who already had demonstrated what one-timer Cobb showed on multiple occasions that they really had no chance. :confused:

For the record, Herb Cobb was born on August 6, 1904 in Pinetops, NC,

Today's Reference Links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/JANUARY8.stm

http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Bill_McCurdy

01-09-2005, 06:08 AM

January 9, 1915: Sisler Freed From Under-Age Pirate Contract.

http://re2.mm-b.yimg.com/image/670906812
A Pirate? It Wasn't To Be
For The Greatest Brown!

When we recall those days that most shaped the destiny of our Browns franchise, January 9, 1915 belongs in the Top Five. Today the National Commission declares University of Michigan senior George Sisler a free agent after a 2-year fight over the issue. Pittsburgh owner Barney Dreyfuss had claimed rights to Sisler, who signed a contract with the Pirates as a minor, but never played pro ball. Now a free agent, Sisler will graduate from the Univeristy of Michigan and sign a new contract with the St. Louis Browns, the club managed by his former college coach, Branch Rickey.

January 9, 1892: "Slide, Kelly Slide!"

"The inspiration of the immortal poem, 'Slide, Kelly, Slide,' was that most idolized ballplayer, Mike Kelly, one of the most fascinating figures ever to dig a cleated shoe into the diamond. He was a slashing, dashing, devil-may-care athlete, good-natured, big-hearted, sincere. He had perhaps the keenest brain that baseball ever knew."
- Author Frank Menke in Encyclopedia of Sports (1944)

Mike was never a Brown, but this item is important to the culture of baseball history that was already building into our American society well before the time the Brewers moved to St. Louis to be reborn as the 1902 Browns. The hit parade of baseball music had already begun by that time. A little diddy called "Slide, Kelly, Slide," by George Gaskin, made the best seller list of popular sheet music charts today, thus becoming the first baseball song to do so. The song exhalted the ballfield exploits of the great Mike Kelly of Chicago and Boston 19th century baseball fame, but it also offered a fan's playful warning in these lyrics:

Slide, Kelly, Slide

Recorded by George J. Gaskin (1893)

Published by Frank Harding, New York (1889)

Slide, Kelly, Slide!

Your running's a disgrace!

Slide, Kelly, Slide!

Stay there, hold your base!

If some one doesn't steal you,

And your batting doesn't fail you,

They'll take you to Australia!

Slide, Kelly, Slide!

Did I say it worked its way into our American society? You betcha. The expression, "Slide, Kelly, Slide," became a common warning call about the presence of imminent danger. Maybe the Brewers should have called it out to St. Louisans when they first took the field as the Browns in 1902. :eek:

Today's Reference Links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/JANUARY9.stm

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/poetry/slide_kelly_slide.shtml

Births on January 9

Harry Keller "Harry" Hoch is born on January 9, 1887 in Woodside, Delaware. The BR/TR pitcher who registers a 2-1 record with the 1908 Phillies and a nice 2.77 ERA. What happened to this promising start, I have no idea. Hoch is out of the majors after 1908. He returns for the 1914-1915 seasons as a Brown, but manages to post a perfect record of another type in 27 games pitched over those two seasons. Harry Hoch registers 0 wins and 6 losses. He finishes his big league career (1908, 1914-15) with a record of 2 wins, 7 losses, and an ERA of 4.35. If I had the time to do all the things I'd like to research, I'd love to learn more about what happened to Hoch in those five years (1909-1913) that lapsed between his two big league tours. - Hoch will pass away with those answers at the age of 94 in Lewes, Delaware on October 16, 1981.

William Joseph "Billy" Lee is born on January 9, 1892 in Bayonne, New Jersey. The BR/TR OF/3B guy is 13 for 70 (.186 BA) for his two brief seasons with the Browns and big leagues in 1915-1916. He too passes quickly from the baseball scene, but he will hang around Planet Earth til he leaves at age 92 on January 6, 1984. As we mentioned three days ago on the anniversary of his death, this Bill(y) Lee was no spaceman.

Deaths on January 9

William Patrick "Billy" Gleason dies on January 9, 1957 in Holyoke, MA at the age of 62. The BR/TR 2nd baseman hit .257 (19/74) in 26 games for the 1921 Browns. In his only other MLB time, Gleason saw limited action for 1916-1917 Pirates. He finishes his MLB career with a BA of .220. For the record, Gleason was born on September 6, 1894 in Chicago. As a big leaguer, Gleason was well named. He was little more than another baseball honeymooner, but, as we always like to add, at least he was good and determined enough to get there.

Edward Harold "Ed" Strelecki passes away on Jamuary 9, 1968 in Newark, NJ at the age of nearly 63. The BR/TR pitcher was 1 and 3 with the 1928-1929 Browns and also pitched 24.1 innings for the 1931 Reds with no record. His career ERA was 5.78. Strelecki was born on April 10, 1905 in the place of his birth, Newark.

Lynford Hobart "Lyn" Lary dies on January 9, 1973 in Downey, California at near the age of 67. Lary enjoyed an extensive career (1929-1940) as a BR/TR IF/OF which included two tours (1935-1936, 1940) with the Browns. Lary had a career BA of .269 in 1,302 games. He was born on January 28, 1906 in Armona, CA.

Stanley Orville "Stan" Spence dies in Kinston, NC on January 9, 1983 at the age of nearly 68. The BL/TL outfielder/1st sacker finished his long career (1940-1949) with the 1949 Browns, hitting .245 in 104 games. His career average for 1,112 games was a decent .282. Spence was born March 20, 1915 in South Portsmouth, Kentucky

Bill_McCurdy

01-10-2005, 05:09 AM

http://re2.mm-b.yimg.com/image/616422850 On This Date in History

http://re2.mm-b.yimg.com/image/753245630
1944 & 1953 St. Louis Browns Jerseys
Are Available Through Mitchell & Ness.

For information ... http://www.dugout-memories.com/coopbrwn.html

Births on January 10

Derrill Burnham "Del" Pratt is born on January 10, 1888 in Walhalla, South Carolina. The BR/TR is mainly a 2nd baseman, but he also plays other infield and outfield positions during his big league career (1912-1924). Pratt attended both Georgia Tech and Alabama prior to entering professional baseball. Pratt's early big league career is with the Browns (1912-1917). Pratt is an excellent hitter, batting over .300 in 6 full seasons and finishing with a career BA of .292. Pratt lives to age 89. He passes away on September 30, 1977 in Texas City, Texas.

He played baseball for the University of Alabama from 1907 to 1909. After two minor league seasons he was purchased by the St. Louis Browns, where he played regularly at second base for the next six years. In his first five seasons (1912-1916), he averaged 31 doubles, 13 triples, 31 steals, 80 RBI, 169 hits, and played more games than any other man in the American League. Over that stretch his 846 hits ranked 5th in the league, directly behind his chief competition at second base – Eddie Collins. Never as great a hitter or base stealer as Collins, Pratt did lead the AL in putouts five times at second base.
- Del Pratt Player Page
http://www.thebaseballpage.com/past/pp/prattdel/

Charles Edward "Ed" Stauffer is born on January 10, 1888 in Emsworth, Pennsylvania. The BR/TR short-term big leaguer has a 2-inning season with the Cubs in 1923 and a 30.1-inning "year" with the 1925 Browns, where he records his only big league decision as a "loss." Stauffer is among the big league "goners" beyond 1925, ending up with an 0-1, 5.85 ERA as his spot on wall of baseball history. Ed will pass away at the age of 90 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (These short-time big leaguers seem to live to ripe old ages. Maybe their longevity was helped by the knowledge that "at least we tried; at least we got our shot."

Deaths on January 10

Joseph Charles "Joe" Schultz, Jr. The man icknamed "Dode" dies on January 10, 1996 in St. Louis at the age of 77. The BL/TR catcher is in the big leagues from 1939 to 1948, with his Browns career spanning from 1943 to 1948. Used sparingly, Schultz hits a career .259 in only 328 total official times at bat. Schultz was born on August 29, 1918 in Chicago.

Ewald (Please call me Lefty!) Pyle
Birth Name: Ewald Herbert Pyle Bats : Left
Born On: 08-27-1910 Throws : Left
Born In: St. Louis, Missouri Height : 6-00½
Died On: 01-10-2004 Weight : 175
Died In: DuQuoin, Illinois First Game: 04-23-1939
College: None Attended Last Game: 06-30-1945
Nickname: Lefty Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Lefty (Please don't call me Ewald!) Pyle had a 6-year MLB career (1939, 1942-1945), posting a record of 11 wins, 21 losses, and an ERA of 5.03. Pyle was 0-2 for the 1939 and 1942 Browns. - Left Pyle was 83 wehen he passed away in 2004.

Tommy Fine
Birth Name: Thomas Morgan Fine Bats : Both
Born On: 10-10-1914 Throws : Right
Born In: Cleburne, Texas Height : 6-00
Died On: 01-10-2005 Weight : 180
Died In: Little Elm, Texas First Game: 04-26-1947
College: Baylor University Last Game: 06-28-1950
Nickname: Tommy Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Tommy Fine was 1-2 with a 5.50 ERA for the 1947 Red Sox and 0-1 with an 8.10 ERA for the 1950 Browns before departing for The Land of Gone for Good. Tommy Fine was 90 when he died in 2005. - BCT/GB, Tommy Fine! :coffee

Today's reference link ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Bill_McCurdy

01-11-2005, 05:12 AM

Births on January 11

Alvin Floyd "General" Crowder

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/photos/Goslin_Goose1935.jpg
Browns Gave up General Crowder & Heinie Manush To Acquire Goose
Goslin (Slugging Away Above) In Deal Completed on June 13, 1930.

Alvin Floyd "General" Crowder is born on January 11, 1899 in Winston-Salem, NC. Over his 11-year big league pitching career (1926-1936), the BL/TR hurler compiled a record of 167 wins, 115 losses, and an ERA of 4.12. Crowder was 21-5, with a 3.69 ERA for the 1928 Browns and he achieved a Browns mark of 44 wins and 32 losses during his 4 years in St. Louis (1927-1930). Crowder was dealt by the Browns to the Senators on June 13, 1930, along with outfielder Heinie Manush, in exchange for outfielder Goose Goslin. Crowder went on to two more 20 + win seasons for the Senators in 1932 and 1933. Over those two banner seasons, he won 50 games total. "The General" was another good one that got away, but you don't acquire Hall of Famers like Goose Goslin for nothing. Sometimes you have to trade another Hall of Famer like Heinie Manush and a great pitcher like Crowder to get what you think will better serve the needs of your club's talent and treasury. General Crowder will die on April 3, 1972 in Winston-Salem at the age of 73.

Roy John "Roy" Hughes is born on January 11, 1911 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The BR/TR infielder is in the big leagues from 1935 to 1946, hitting for a career BA of .273. He sees part-time service with the 1938-1939 Browns, but his best full season happened in 1936 when he collected 188 hits for a .292 BA with the Indians. Of those 188 hits, none were homers. In 2,582 official times at bat over his career, Roy collected only 5 home runs. Hughes will pass away on March 5, 1995 in Asheville, North Carolina at the age of 84.

Cornelius John "Neil" Berry is born on January 11, 1922 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The BR/TR utility infielder from Western Michigan College (1948-1954 MLB) is only a Brown for 57 games during the 1953 season, but he hits .283 in 99 AB's, far above his career MLB mark of .244. Neil Berry is still with us.

Happy 83rd Birthday, Neil Berry! :clapping

Deaths on January 11

Rivington Martin Bisland dies on January 11, 1973 in Salzburg, Austria at the age of nearly 83. What he was doing in Austria at that late age, I have no idea. More amazingly, the man managed to play 31 games in the big leagues (1912-1914) as a BR/TR shortstop without acquiring a nickname. As best I have been able to determine, Bisland is the only "Rivington" in MLB history to have escaped the obvious need for a shorter, catchier gameday ID. Rivington hit .136 for the 1913 Browns and he registered only a .118 mark over his totally and deservedly short-lived career.* - Rivington Martin Bisland was born in New York City on February 17, 1890.

*That being said, we tip our Brownie cap to the standard rare baseball player accomplishment. He got to the big leagues, so let's give him a posthumous nickname nearly a century later. Let's call him "Rivets" for its alliterative and metaphorical potential as a way of describing his career.

"Rivets" Bisland did reach the big leagues. Rivington Martin Bisland did place a few big league rivets into the game back in the early part of the 20th century. Those rivets simply weren't driven deep enough to secure his long flight into baseball history beyond these few words. Nonetheless, once you get there, as Bisland did, the record book never forgets. :atthepc

Today's Reference Link ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Bill_McCurdy

01-12-2005, 07:01 AM

No Brownie Births or Deaths on January 12

http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/guidry/violence/gifs/galcenter_vis.gif
It Wasn't In The Stars Today. ;)

Maybe there is something to this astrology business. No one whoever played for the St. Louis Browns ever came to or went from Planet Earth on this date in history. Is that fact due to coincidence - or some special alignment of the stars? I have no earthly idea. Maybe I just missed someone in my search for births and deaths this morning, but I don't think I did. :noidea

Hmmm! All of you surviving Browns out there may be in for a lucky day. Maybe you will even have a 24-hour pass on how many risks you take with your activities in the world during this little eye-blink moment. Uh, just in case you decide to do so, it might still be a good idea to watch out for the banana peels on the sidewalks. :rolleyes:

Some Basic Facts About The St. Louis Browns. In lieu of any time special news today, here are a few reminder facts about the St. Louis Browns:

Existence Period. The St. Louis Browns played ball in the American League from 1902 through 1953. The came into being when the Milwaukee Brewers franchise was relocated to St. Louis. When they left St. Louis after the 1953 season, they headed east to become the Baltimore Orioles.

Performance Record: Games Won: 3414; Games Lost: 4465: Win %: .433

The Browns won one pennant (1944) in 52 years of trying (1902-1953). In half their seasons played, they finished last, or next to last, 50% of the time. The math is easy to do since the American League consisted of the same eight clubs for the entire 52-year history of the Browns. The Browns finished 8th in 14 seasons, and 7th on 12 other occasions. They finished in the first division among the top four clubs only 12 times.

On that rather discouraging, but long ago forgiven note, have a nice day, everybody, but watch out for the banana peels! :waving

Today's Reference Links ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/S/St_Louis_Browns.stm

Bill_McCurdy

01-13-2005, 04:53 AM

http://www.dugout-memories.com/1946br.jpg
Coopertown Cap Co.
Offers This 1946-49
Repro, Plus A Few More.

If you're interested in obtaining an old Browns cap, here's one link to their availability over the internet. >>>

http://www.dugout-memories.com/coopbrwn.html

Now it's January 13th. Our one-day Brownie pass on living and dying is over and it's back to the birth :) and obituary :( reports.

Births on January 13

Ernest Luther "Luther" Bonin, also known as "Bonnie", is born on January 13, 1888 in Greenhill, Indiana. The BL/TR outfielder goes "oh fer one" in his only at bat for the 1913 Browns. Bonnie jumps to the Buffalo Buffeds of the 1914 Federal League where he hits only .184 (20/76) in 20 games. That one fruitless AB with the Browns the previous year drops Bonin's lifetime BA to .182 as he passes more quickly into baseball history than the Federal League itself. Cap tips to Bonnie, please. He got there, barely, and left quickly. Bonin will pass away just 10 days short of his 78th birthday on January 3, 1966 in Sycamore, Ohio.

Fred William "Fritz" Schulte is born on January 13, 1901 in Belvidere, Illinois, The BR/TR outfielder is a good hitter with a long MLB career (1927-1937). Fritz is a Brown (1927-1932) for 6 years before finishing his big league days with the Senators and Pirates. Schultz impresses the Browns when he bats .317 in 60 games in his 1927 rookie season. He follows that mark with 2 more full years as a .300 + hitter for the Browns in 1929 and 1931. Usually batting around the .300 mark, Schulte finishes with a career BA of .291. He will live to age 81, passing away on May 20, 1983 in his hometown of Belvidere, Illinois.

Deaths on January 13

William Henry "Big Bill" Dineen dies on January 13, 1955 in Syracuse, NY. He is 78 at the time of his death. Dineen was BR/TR pitcher with a lot of effective pitching time in the bigs between 1898 and 1909. His best years came before his three-year finish with the Browns (1907-1909) when he registered four 20-win seasons with the Boston AL club. "Big Bill" was only 6'1", but that was tall for his era. He mainly stood tall as a performer, registering a career MLB mark of 170 wins, 177 losses, and an ERA of 3.01. Dineen was born on April 5, 1876 in Syracuse, NY.

Mike Goliat
Birth Name: Mike Mitchell Goliat
Nickname: None
Born On: 11-05-1921
Born In: Yatesboro, Pennsylvania
Zodiac: Scorpio
Died On: 01-13-2004
Died In: Seven Hills, Ohio
Cemetery: All Saints Cemetery, Northfield, Ohio
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6-00
Weight: 180
First Game: 08-03-1949
Last Game: 04-27-1952
Draft: Not Applicable

Mike Goliat is best remembered as the good field/no hit 2nd baseman of the 1950 Philadelphia Phillie "Whiz Kids." - For his 4-season MLB career (1949-1952), Goliat batted .225 with 20 HRs. - Goliat was a Brown for a season and a half in 1951-1952 and he finished his career with our American League club. - Mike Goliat was 82 when he died in 2004.

Today's Reference Link ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Bill_McCurdy

01-14-2005, 05:53 AM

January 14, 1911: Browns Name Bobby Wallace as New Manager.

http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/hofer_bios/images/wallace_bobby_2.jpg
Bobby Wallace Named
As Playing Manager of
The 1911 St. Louis Browns.

Look at the above picture
and compare it to the one below.
If they ever make a movie of
Wallace's life, actor Andy Garcia
gets my vote to play the title role.

http://www.malli-p.de/Mallis_Welt/Bilder2/Filmstars/Garcia4.jpg
Actor Andy Garcia

Bobby Wallace, the original 1902 Browns shortstop and the outstanding American Leaguer of that time at his position, is named today as the new playing manager of the St. Louis Browns, replacing the now defamed Jack O'Connor. O'Connor was fired by the Browns and banned by the National Commission after he led the collusive effort to help Nap Lajoie win the 1910 batting championship over Ty Cobb by allowing the former to bunt safely for hits in a final game with the Indians in 1910. Wallace's integrity couldn't save the 1911 Browns as they went on to a last place finish and a record of 45 wins and 107 losses. When the 1912 Browns stumbled out of the gate to a 12-27 start, Wallace was removed from the helm and replaced by George Stovall. Wallace's managerial failure (and "failure" is a harsh word in this instance) cannot tarnish the great 25-year record (1894-1918) of Bobby Wallace the player. Wallace plays most of those years with Browns (1902-1916), finishing with a great record as a defensive man and a .267 lifetime BA. Wallace will be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953 at the age of 80.

Births on January 14

John Joseph "Brode" Shovlin is born on January 14, 1891 in Drifton, PA. The BR/TR middle infielder hits .209 in a limited stay (9 hits in 43 total ABs) in the big leagues (1911, 1918-1919), the last two years as a Brown. "Brode" (maybe that comes from a misspelled thought that he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn) will die at age 85 in Bethesda, MD on February 16, 1976. - A tip of the Brownie cap to you, anyway, "Brode" Shovlin!
:clapping

Deaths on January 14

Lloyd Andrew "Lefty" Brown dies on January 14, 1974 in Opa-Locka, Florida at the age of 69 in Beeville, Texas. (Beeville happens to be the same place where I was born.) :) I'm proud to say that Brown and fellow Beeville native Melvin "Bert" Gallia both went on to pitch for the St. Louis Browns at separate times. Pretty good record for our little home town, especially when you consider that early 20th century Beeville was a very small place that also produced Curt Walker, who hit .304 playing outfield in the big leagues from 1919 to 1930. Lefty Lloyd Brown was only 1 and 6 in his only year with the 1933 Browns, but he achieved a lifetime big league mark of 91 wins and 105 losses for some bad teams from 1925 through 1940. Lloyd Brown also holds the ignominious record of giving uo 4 of Lou Gehrig's 23 record grand slam home runs. Brown was born in Beeville, Texas on December 25, 1904. :atthepc

Today's Reference Links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/JANUARY14.stm

http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/
[SIZE=4]

Bill_McCurdy

01-15-2005, 06:48 AM

Births on This Date

http://re2.mm-b.yimg.com/image/654461912
Baseball Author W.P. Kinsella:
Kin To The Brownie Rube Born
Today? Probably Not.

Edward William "Rube" Kinsella is born on January 15, 1882 in Lexington, Illinois. How does an "Edward William" from a small town like Lexington, Illinois in the early part of the 20th century miss the chance of being labeled "Rube" by baseball veterans? The answer, of course, is - he doesn't. The BR/TR pitcher is another short-timer who will go 0-1 for the 1905 Pirates and 1-3 for the 1910 Browns. Prior to hitting the majors, Rube played college ball at Illinois State. For a career total of 69 big league IP, Kinsella will register 1 win and 4 losses with an ERA of 3.49. - Kinsella will pass away at the ripe old age of 94 in Bloomington Illinois on January 17, 1976. ... Hmmm! Wonder if Kinsella had a grandson whose first and middle name initials were "W.P."? Probably not, Anyway, A Brownie Cap Tip to the rube from rural Illinois! ;)

Grover Cleveland "Slim" Lowdermilk is born on January 15, 1885 in Sandborn, Indiana. At 6'4" and 190 pounds, it isn't hard to figure how "Slim" got his nickname. The BR/TR pitcher will go on to rack up 23 wins against 39 losses, while scoring a respectable ERA of 3.58 in the big leagies from 1909 to 1920. He will have two stays (1915, 1917-1919) with the Browns, registering his most active year in 1915. In the only year that Lowdermilk will ever pitch over 96.2 innings, Slim will tally 222.1 innings for the 1915 Browns and Tigers. It's his winningest year. He will have a combined record of 13 and 18 with both the '15 Browns and Tigers. Lowdermilk will live to age 83, dying on March 31, 1968 in Odin, Illinois.

Deaths on This Date

Edward Cunningham "Kid" Foster

http://www.cycleback.com/baseballcards2/Image973.jpg
Eddie "Kid" Foster of Boston
Moves to Browns In '22 Year.

Edward Cunningham "Kid" Foster dies on January 15, 1937 in Washington, DC. Foster was 49, but just a month shy of turning 50. He was born on February 13, 1887 in Chicago. At only 5'6 1/2" and 145 pounds, Kid Foster totalled 1,490 hits over his long (1910-1923) big league career as BR/TR 3b/2b man. He was a veteran influence on the great 1922 Browns club after his acquisition from the Red Sox during the season. Foster finished his 2-season Brownie playing career in 1923. His lifetime BA was a respectable Punch-n-Judy .264. In 5,652 total AB's, Foster connected for only 6 homers - and I'm betting that all or most of those were the inside-the-park variety.

Carlton William "Carl" East passes away at age 58 on January 15, 1953 in Whitesburg, GA. East was born in Mariette, GA on August 27, 1894. Bless him and salute him as another got-there short-timer. East was a BL/TR pitcher who toiled only one game for the 1915 Browns as his total MLB experience. In his one game, he started, but gave up 6 runs, 6 hits, and 2 walks in 3.1 innings of work, striking out 1. Somehow, he was spared taking an "L" for his effort, but he did dent the overall MLB ERA average by leaving a 16.22 mark on the board.

George "Three Star" Hennessey dies on January 15, 1988 in Princeton, NJ at the age of 80. Hennessey was born on on October 28, 1907 in Slatington, PA. The BR/TR pitcher was 0-1 with a 10.29 ERA in 5 games for the 1937 Browns. Future isolated turns with the 1942 Phillies and the 1945 Cubs would leave him with a career MLB mark of 1 win, 2 losses, and a 5.21 ERA for 27.2 innings of total work. - Brownie cap tips to you, Three Star! Wish we knew how you got that nickname? Did it have anything to do with the three stars you failed to get in your three separate hitches with three separate MLB clubs?

Today's Reference Link ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

rich

01-15-2005, 04:17 PM

Bill, you have an awesome thing going here! Really enjoyable. My road atlas (couple years old) has 'ol Beeville with a population of over 13,000. How's Floyd, Emmett & Barney doin'? "Brode" & "3 Star" are born within 15/20 miles of a town named for a famous person. Can you name him/her? I was in that area on Dec.20th. January 16 is my sons 11th birthday. We look forward to your next post.

Bill_McCurdy

01-15-2005, 05:07 PM

Howdy from Bee County!

Bill, you have an awesome thing going here! Really enjoyable. My road atlas (couple years old) has 'ol Beeville with a population of over 13,000. How's Floyd, Emmett & Barney doin'? "Brode" & "3 Star" are born within 15/20 miles of a town named for a famous person. Can you name him/her? I was in that area on Dec.20th. January 16 is my sons 11th birthday. We look forward to your next post.
- Rich

Thanks for the comps, Rich! :atthepc I'm having the time of my life with this little daily trip into Browns history and I'm glad to know that some of you are enjoying the journey with me.

Unless there's a serious flaw in my 41-year old Rand McNally Atlas, I think you may be asking about Jim Thorpe, PA. Thorpe was a great athlete, but he's proof again that baseball truly is the most challenging sport. As John McGraw and the Giants soon enough learned, Thorpe couldn't hit a good curve ball. :lookitup

http://www.ardmoreite.com/images/081901/jim_thorpe2LR.jpg
Jim Thorpe would've felt right at home with
the St. Louis Browns. His career BA was .252
with the Giants, Red, & Braves from 1913-1919.

Bill_McCurdy

01-16-2005, 06:16 AM

January 16, 1905: 1 Player X 4 Teams X 1 Year = Satchel Nobody.

http://www.adaelectronic.co.yu/~exsbs/exsbs_files/2003/Trading_Places-f.jpg
]It wasn't this easy for Frank Huelsman!

Frank (Who dat?) Huelsman. The guy had to be living out of his suitcase for the rest of his life after all of this happened. Between May 1904 and January 1905, outfielder Frank Huelsman (briefly) of the Browns was traded or sold 4 times to 4 different clubs:

May 30, 1904: Chicago White Sox sell Huelsman to the Detroit Tigers.

June 16, 1904: Detroit Tigers sell Huelsman to the St. Louis Browns.

July 14, 1904: St. Louis Browns "loan" Huelsman to the Washington Senators as part of a trade that sends Hunter Hill to the Senators in exchange for Charlie Moran.

January 16, 1905: The Browns reclaim the "loaned" Huelsman from Washington and send him, along with outfielder Jesse Burkett, to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for outfielder George Stone. Boston then sends Huelsman back to Washington in payment for Stone. (Adding to the same day convolution, George Stone had gone from Washington to Boston to St. Louis in the same deal. Washington ends up with an unspecified amount of cash and the right to keep the merry-go-rounding Huelsman at the end of the day.) - Got it? ;) - This is Huelsman's 4th different club in eight months. His ownership by four American League teams in less than one year's time (no matter how technical the Boston tour was) will not be matched until Paul Lehner does it again in 1951. - Even though Lehner has a Brownie history, please don't ask me about that one this morning. :crazy

Births on January 16

http://www.meredy.com/clauderains/rains08.jpg
Some of our January 16th Natality/Fatality
Brownies Have A Lot In Common With This Guy.

James Oscar "Jim" Murray is born on January 16, 1878 in Galveston, Texas. The rare BR/TL (batting/throwing combo) outfielder gets into 31 games for the 1911 Browns. His 19 for 102 (.186 BA) performance proves anything but rare for Brownie short-timers. In fact, averages below Mendoza are usually what makes for short-time MLB-life by regular position players. :crazy Murray also had brief trials with other clubs in 1902 and 1914, ending with a career BA of .202. He will die at age 67 in Galveston on April 25, 1945. A Brownie cap tip and God Bless, Jim Murray!

Joseph Peter "Joe" Kutina is born on January 16, 1885 in Chicago. The BR/TR 1st baseman hits .222 in 95 games for the 1911-1912 Browns and is then gone forever from the big leagues. Kutina will live to age 60. He will pass away in his home town of Chicago on April 13, 1945. A Brownie cap tip and God Bless to you too, Joe Kutina!

Albert Theodore "Allie" Moulton continues our parade of Brownie short-timers born on this date. Moulton was born on January 16, 1886 in Medway, Massachusetts. He went 4 for 15 (.067 BA) as a 2nd baseman for the 1911 Browns and then disappeared. Well, he didn't exactly disappear as Claude Rains did in "The Invisible Man", but .... you know what I mean. - Bye, bye, Mr. BR/TR Got-There-Guy! - A tip of the BC and God Bless! - Moulton lives to age 82 before passing away on July 10, 1968 in Peabody, Massachusetts.

Raymond William "Ray" Jansen is born on January 16, 1889 in St. Louis. I love guys who do things like this right before they summarily vanish. In his only big league game ever, St. Louisan Ray Jansen, a BR/TR 3rd baseman, goes 4 for 5 for the Browns in a game played on September 30, 1910 - and then just leaves forever with his career .800 BA intact for all time. After a performance like that one, you would think that the day would've ended with everyone loving local boy Raymond for much longer, but it was not to be. For whatever reason now lost in the harder-to-find cracks in baseball's history wall, Ray Jansen never played another big league game. He died on March 19, 1934 in St. Louis at the age of 45. A great big Brownie Cap Tip and God Bless to you and your 4 singles in one day.

George Aloys "Showboat" Fisher is born on January 16, 1899 in Wesley, Iowa. The BL/TR outfielder played 4 part-time years in the majors (1923-1924, Senators), (1930, Cardinals), (Browns, 1932) with only one of those years producing anything to showboat about. Fisher went 95 for 254 (.374 BA) and 8 homers for the '30 Cards. He fell flat two years later, going 4 for 22 (.182 BA) for the '32 Browns in his big league swan song. His career BA for a total of 340 games was .335, thanks to that one season with the Cardinals. Otherwise, it was lights out on The Showboat. Fisher lived to age 95, passing from this earth on May 5, 1994 in St. Cloud, Minnesota. A big BCT & GB to you too, Slugger Showboat. - That lifetime .335 BA "ain't too shabby."

Jay Hanna "Dizzy" Dean

http://afl.mlb.com/mlb/images/features/allstar/allstar_recaps/allstar_1936_clips.jpg
He started as a Cardinal,
But he finished as a Brown!

Dizzy Dean is born on January 16, 1910 in Lucas, Arkansas. At last, we have a Brownie short-timer who was also a lot more than a got-there-guy. Ole Diz built a 150-83 record as a Cardinal and Cub on his way to a Hall of Fame career (1930-1941), but he came out of the announcer's booth to appear in one more game for the Browns as a gate-pumping starter on September 28, 1947. Dizzy went 4 innings that day, giving up no runs, 3 hits, and 1 walk on his way to permanent retirement. He had no "K"s and was not involved in the decision of his only Browns appearance. American treasure Dizzy Dean passed away at the age of 64 on July 17, 1974 in Reno, Nevada. - God bless you, Diz, and thanks for reminding us all those times on tv that, no matter what, "It's a great day for baseball!"

Henry Monroe "Henry" McDonald is born on January 16, 1911 in Santa Monica, California.

Old McDonald had no form,
And he didn't last long. :waving

The BR/TR pitcher was 0 and 4 for the 1933 Browns after coming over from the A's early in the season, where he had attained a 1-1 record with Philly. McDonald went 2 and 4 in his only previous season for the '31 A's, leaving the majors with a career mark of 3-9 and ERA of 5.87. After 1932 he was gone. McDonald went "E-Eye-E-Eye-Oh" at the age of 81 in Hemet, California on October 17, 1982. - BCT/GB, Mr. McDonald.

Deaths on January 16

Claude R. "Claude" Rossman passes away on January 16, 1928 in Poughkeepsie, New York at the age of 46. The BL/TL 1st baseman/outfielder had a 4-year (1904, 1906-1909) career in MLB and he hit .283 with 3 HR's. In his only time as a Brown at the end of his career, he went 1 for 8 in 2 games for the 1909 Browns and was then gone-for-good. - Claude Rossman was born on June 17, 1881 in Philmont, New York,

Bailey Earl "Earl" Clark dies at age 30 on January 16, 1938 in Washington, DC. The BR/TR outfielder hit .291 over his career (1927-1934) and played his last season as a Brown for the '34 club, hitting only .171 in 13 games. I'm not aware of the reason for his early demise without further research. Clark was was born on November 6, 1907 in Washington, DC, the place also of his death. Most of his career was spent with the Braves. God rest your soul, Earl Clark. You did more in 30 years than most people I've met. - Oh yeah, a BCT to you too!

James Thomas "Jimmy (with 2 'm's)" Williams passes from this earth on January 16, 1965 at age 88 in St. Petersburg, Florida. The BR/TR infielder hit for a .275 BA and racked up 1,507 hits over the course of his 1899-1909 career. Jimmy played his last two big league seasons as a Brown (1908-1909). Williams was born in St. Louis on December 20, 1876. - BCT, Jimmy Two M's!

William Chester "Baby Doll" Jacobson

http://users.qconline.com/~bob/jacobson_baby_doll.gif
With a face like that, you had to call him "Baby Doll"! Just kidding. He actually got the name from a fan who called him "Baby Doll" during and after a big minor league game he played prior to reaching the majors. Others picked up the call and it stuck.

William Chester "Baby Doll" Jacobson dies at age 86 on January 16, 1977 in Orion, Illinois. Baby Doll (BR/TR) was one of the greats in Brownie lore, holding down center field for the great 1922 club and batting .317 in a year that was slightly down from his usual performance. Jacobson hit over .300 on 7 occasions during his Browns career (1915-1926), with his .355 mark in 1920 standing as the high water mark. Over the trail of his entire career (1915-1927), Baby Doll finished with a .311 BA and 1,714 hits. WIth more players like Baby Doll Jacobson in our past, the Browns might've fared far better over time. Baby Doll was born in Cable, Illinois on August 16, 1890. 355 BCT's to you, oh handsome Baby Doll!

Today's reference link ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Bill_McCurdy

01-17-2005, 03:17 AM

January 17, 1937: A Hornsby Doghouse Deal.

http://images.doghouses.com/images/products/large/PZ001.jpg
"Can I come out now, Mr. Hornsby?"

In a move today that seems arguably even, based on the 1936 statistical surface, the St. Louis Browns make the following trade wth the Cleveland Indians:

To Cleveland from The Browns: outfielder Moose Solters (.291 BA, 134 RBI); shortstop Lyn Lary (.289 BA, 339 PO, 495 A); and pitcher Ivy Andrews (7-12, 4.84 ERA).

To The Browns from Cleveland: outfielder Joe Vosmik (.287, 94 RBI); shortstop Bill Knickerbocker (.294 BA, 313 PO, 486 A); and pitcher Oral Hildebrand (10-11, 4.90).

Scratching the surface deeper, we find that the Browns gave up their leading RBI man in Solters, who also had 40 more RBI than Vosmik, the guy they got on exchange for him. The Browns also gave up the American League leader in put outs (PO) and assists (A) by a shortstop in letting go of Lyn Lary. Finally, the Browns surrendered their lowest ERA (earned run average) pitcher in turning over Ivy Andrews to the Indians.

Want to go a little deeper for what is, perhaps, the real reason behind this deal? The three departing Brownies are termed "real playboys" by manager Rogers Hornsby.

Who got the better deal here, the Browns or the Indians? Well, roll out those MacMillan's, folks, and decide for yourselves. :lookitup

Births on January 17

William R. "Pete" Johns is born on January 17, 1889 in Cleveland, Ohio. The BR/TR utility man went only 16 for 89 (.180 BA) for the 1918 Browns and only slightly better three years earlier as a 3rd baseman for the 1915 White Sox. The Browns year put the wrap on big league play for Pete Johns, tabbing out his career BA at .196 and his HR total at 0. Pete Johns will die at age 75 in his Cleveland hometown on August 9, 1964. BCT/GB, Pete Johns!

Henry Alrives "Hank" Schmulbach is born on January 17, 1925 in East St. Louis, Illinois. Hank pinch ran his way into the Brownie family on September 27, 1943, coming into score a run too in his only appearance in a big league game. Schmulbach will pass away at age 76 in Belleville, Illinois on May 3, 2001. BCT/GB to the BL/TR guy who never got to do either in the majors.

J. W. "Jay" Porter is born on January 17, 1933 in Shawnee, Oklahoma. J.W. broke into the majors with the Browns in 1952, hitting .252 as an outfielder/first baseman 33 games. "Jay" returned to the majors in 1955 with the Tigers. Between 1955 and 1959, Porter played every position but pitcher, shortstop, and second base for the Tigers, Indians, Senators, and Cardinals. The BR/TR utility man hit for a career BA of .228. Porter has never forgotten his Brownie roots. Jay and his lovely wife Zee live in Florida now, but they are regular attendees of the annual Browns reunion banquets in St. Louis. Porter is best recalled today as the youngest of the surviving former Browns. Even with the addition of another birthday, that record will never change. You will always be the former Brown with the most recent birthdate, J.W.

A Brownie Cap Tip (BCT), God Bless (GB), and Happy 72nd Birthday to
J.W. Porter this morning, - and best wishes for many, many more!
:clapping

(Hey, Zee, - take real good care of the kid today, OK?) :D

Deaths on January 17

Edward William "Rube" Kinsella dies at age 94 in Bloomington, Illinois on January 17, 1976. He was born on January 15, 1882 in Lexington, Illinois. (See the post on his January 15 birthdate for further information.)

Ernest James "Ernie" Wingard dies at age 76 on January 17, 1977 in Prattville, Alabama. The BL/TL 4-season pitcher for the Browns (1924-1927) registered a career mark in that time of 29 wins, 43 losses, and an ERA of 4.64. The former University of Alabama player was born on October 17, 1900 in the same little town where he passed away, Prattville, Alabama. BCT/GB, Ernie!

An Out-Of-The-Browns-Family Salute!

Happy 100th Birthday, Raymond Lee Cunningham!

http://images.chron.com/content/news/photos/05/01/15/baseball.jpg
Raymond Lee Cunningham
World's Oldest Former
Major League Player!

January 17, 2005: The oldest living former major leaguer was a Cardinal, not a Brown. The Texas Baseball Hall of Fame recently honored Raymond Lee Cunningham with a special plaque of celebration for his long life in baseball and the media attention to him in Houston this weekend has been wonderful. Cunningham lives in a Pearland, Texas nursing home in the suburbs of Houston.

Here's a link to an article that writer Mickey Herskowitz wrote on Cunningham for the Saturday, January 15th, Houston Chronicle. On this upbeat note, have a great and rousing Monday, Brownie fans! :atthepc

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/herskowitz/2993683

Today's Reference Links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/JANUARY17.stm

http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Bill_McCurdy

01-18-2005, 03:17 AM

January 18, 1950: No Brownie He.

http://www.nolanryanheat.com/files/Bob_Feller.jpg
Never a Brown, but red white, and blue.
They threw out the mold when Feller was through.

After going 26-15 in 1946, 20-11 in 1947, and 19-15 in 1948, Bob Feller of the Cleveland Indians played the 1949 season for $65,000. Because he finished the 1949 season with a disappointing record of 15-14, The Indians' Bob Feller agrees to terms today on his 1950 season contract. At his own suggestion, Feller takes a $20,000 pay cut to $45,000.

There is no record of any Browns pitcher ever offering to take a salary cut of those proportions based on a 15-14 record in the previous season. There is also no record of a 15-14 mark ever being considered mediocre by Browns standards.

Finally, although I rarely go outside the Browns family to post anything else here, I musk ask about Feller: What planet were he and the others like him born on back in the old days? Imagine what a 15-14 mark will get a free agent pitcher in 2005. :cool:

Births on January 18

None. Zero. Nada. In the stars? Just one of those things? Either way, the birth of new future Browns on January 18th in any year simply didn't happen. :lookitup

Deaths on January 18

Reeve Stewart "Rip" McKay passes away in Dallas, Texas on January 18, 1946 at the age of 64.

http://www.uslink.net/~0695vs/doc.GIF
Rip McKay Had Short-Time
In Common With The Man
Who Made Eye-Blink MLB
Careers Romantically Famous.

Rip McKay is another member of our Brownie Chapter in the Pretty-Near-To-Moonlight-Graham-Status Society. For those few of you who may not know about the legendary Graham, he was the famous player for the New York Giants who got to play the 9th inning in right field on June 29, 1905 as a defensive replacement. He accepted no chances in the field, never came to bat, and never returned to play in any other game. His whole career was a five-minute stand in right field, a moment in baseball time that only served to get him into the box score once - but into all future baseball encyclopedias for all time. Graham left baseball to study medicine and spent the rest of his life as a doctor in Minnesota. In the movie, "Field of Dreams," the life of Moonlight Graham was played out in fiction by actor Burt Lancaster. As we get into the bare and sparse particulars on our boy "Rip", here's a link to more information on his more famous predecessor, Moonlight Graham. ...

http://www.uslink.net/~0695vs/moonlight.html

Rip Mckay was a righthanded pitcher who threw one inning for the Browns on October 2, 1915, a date that tells us almost certainly that it was the last date of the season. In his one inning of work, McKay gave up 1 earned run on 1 hit for no record, but a career ERA of 9.00. McKay was born in Morgan, Texas on November 16, 1881. - BCT/GB to you, Rip!

Raymond Lincoln "Ray" Kennedy passes away at the age of 63 on January 18, 1969 in Casselberry, Florida. (Speaking of Moonlight Graham!) Kennedy got one time at bat for the Browns on September 8, 1916. The oppositon retired the righthanded batter and that was it for Kennedy's big league career. He also threw righthanded, but he never took the field in the big leagues to use that part of his game. Ray Kennedy was born on May 19, 1895 in Pittsburgh. - BCT/GB to you too, Ray!

Peter William "Pete" or "Jake" Appleton dies on January 18, 1974 in Trenton, NJ at the age of 69. The BR/TR pitcher had a career (1927-1945) record of 57 wins, 66 losses, and an ERA of 4.30. Pete played for several clubs. He was 1-1 with the 1942 Browns and then 0-0 with the St. Louis AL club in 1945, following the end of WWII. Moving over to the Senators from the Browns in 1945, Appleton recorded his last big league win without adding anything to the loss column. Pete Appleton was born on May 20, 1904 in Terryville, Connecticut. He played ball for the University of Michigan prior to starting his prefessional career.

Today's Reference Links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/JANUARY18.stm

http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Bill_McCurdy

01-19-2005, 05:52 AM

January 19, 2005: No Browns Reunion In 2005. Most of us who belong to the St. Louis Browns Historical Society received the following e-mail announcement yesterday from Browns Fan Club board member Bill Borst. Borst is also the 1984 founder of the BFC and the club's first president. On the heels of this decision, 2005 becomes the first year there will be no Brownie reunion banquet since 1984, but we do expect to pick it up again in 2006:

http://re2.mm-b.yimg.com/image/550265621
Bill Borst
BFC Founder

Bad News:

It is with a heavy heart that I must explain the absence of what Erv Fischer has always called the Brownie Gala Dinner. This past May 20th, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the club's foundation. It marked our 23rd dinner and that is a lot of food for such a small group as ours. While the players have continued to amaze us with their enthusiasm and dedication to the team's historical memory, the attendance from the membership and outsiders has been lackluster the past few years. Since we have always maintained a tight ship on these affairs, our profit margin has been very low. The players can tell you we have not adorned them with the ultimate of posh accommodations or large stipends. In fact there never have been any stipends, at least that I know of. The players buy their own dinners, and maybe a few drinks, as do the board members, Fred, Erv, Bill and Bud. Since 1994 we planned to phase out the dinners but the demand, especially from the players, was just too overwhelming to ignore. And it has been great. That is until now. We are reading the handwriting on the wall. The truth is that without the team's No #1 Fan, Arthur Richman, we would have folded the dinner tables a long time ago.

While the Pop Flies have been getting fewer and fewer, they have been growing in width and breadth. Ronnie Joyner has done an exception job in researching and writing about every available aspect of the team's past and present. No one can match him and buddy Bill Bozeman in graphic arts. Nobody! Each issue costs us about $2500 to produce. The dues revenues just has not been enough to keep ahead of the game and without the dinner this year, we have a possible short fall staring us in the face. So if the club and eventually the dinners are to stay afloat, we need your financial support in terms of dues, tax-deductible donations and maybe even an ad or two or three. There still seems to be a lot of life left in the Browns. Keep us alive in 2005.

St. Louis: January 19, 2005 Bill Borst: Founder and 1st President

The announcement came as a disappointment, but hardly as a surprise. The four founding members of the Browns Fan Club (Bill Borst, Erv Fischer, Fred Heger, and Bud Kane) have been carrying the weight of running the club and staging the banquets for twenty years. The club could use some infusion of more people who are willing to put their time and money into the preservation of Browns history.

For a $25.00 per year membership alone, members receive one of the finest semi-annual newsletters in old-time baseball fandom. Produced by the club through the outstanding creativity of Ronnie Joyner and Bill Bozman, Pop Flies is filled with the best writing on Browns history that you will ever find in hard copy form.

If you would like to support the survival of the St. Louis Browns Historical Society, please consider buying a membership or making some above-and beyond financial contribution to the cause. If you are interested, please contact the BFC's membership person, Bud Kane, by e-mail or snail mail, at the following addresses. Bud will be happy to answer any questions you may have:

Bud Kane, Treasurer
St. Louis Browns Fan Club
443 Fieldcrest Drive
Webster Groves, MO 63119

e-mail: budka@webtv.net

End of non-commercial commercial. :atthepc

Births on January 19

Raymond Allen "Rip" Radcliff is born on January 19, 1906 in Kiowa, Oklahoma. The BL/TL outfielder/first baseman will record a fine career BA of .311 from 1934 to 1943 for the White Sox, Browns, and Tigers. Rip has an outstanding first and only full year with the 1940 Browns, banging out 200 hits for a .342 average. He did too well. On May 19, 1941, only 19 games into the 1941 season, the Browns deal Rip Radcliff to the Detroit Tigers for $25,000 cash. Once again, we see a familiar, frustrating, but reality-bound pattern in Browns trading history: When money talks, talent walks. - Radcliff will pass away in Enid, Oklahoma on May 23, 1962 at the age of 56.

Deaths on January 19

The St. Louis Browns received a pass on planet departures today. No Browns player ever died on January 19th in any year. :lookitup

Today's Reference Link ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Bill_McCurdy

01-20-2005, 05:18 AM

Births on January 20

http://re2.mm-c.yimg.com/image/873931865
William James Was a Famous Psychologist,
But This "Ain't" Him or That Math Fellow Who
Now Analyzes Stats for the Boston Red Sox.

William Henry "Bill" James is born on January 20, 1887 in Detroit. Unlike his much-later-born, more famous namesake, this Bill James will offer no complex sabermetric explanations for the field results of his career. (For that matter, neither will I - except to conclude that he must have been pretty good to have lasted as long and won as many games as he did.) The BB/TR pitcher from St. Mary's University will live to have a five-team big league career (1911-1919) in which he will win 65 games, lose 71, and hang up a 3.20 ERA. "Big BIll" at 6'4" will become a physical Gulliver among the Lilliputians of the later stage deadball era. He will work for the Browns in 1914 and 1915, winning 22 and losing 24, but he will also post his major league high in wins for a season in 1914 with a record of 15 wins and 14 losses. Bill James will die on May 25, 1942 in Venice, California at the age of 55. Go figure.

Earl Leonard "Earl" Smith is born on January 20, 1891 in Oak Hill, Ohio. The BB/TR bench outfielder/3rd baseman will go on to a career (1916-1922) BA of .272, mostly as a Brown (1917-1921). Smith's best year will also be the only year he breaks the century mark in games played. In 103 games and 353 AB's for the 1920 Browns, Smith will hit .306. Nicknamed "Sheriff" - presumably for his arresting presence on the field - Earl Smith will pass away on March 14, 1943 In Portsmouth, Ohio at the age of 52.

Isaac "Ike" Danning is born on on January 20, 1905 in Los Angeles. The BR/TR is destined to bcome another short-timer in the legendary history of the franchise. Danning will go 3 for 6 in 2 games as a catcher for the 1928 Browns and that will become his big league career wrap. After 1928, Danning will take his .500 career BA and ride off into the sunset. The Browns will like Ike. They simply won't like him enough to keep him around. - Ike Danning will die on March 30, 1983 in Santa Monica, California at the age of 78. - BCT/GB, Ike Danning!

Herman Alexander "Herm" Holshouser is born on January 20, 1907 in Rockwell, North Carolina. The BR/TR pitcher will work 62.1 innings and post a 0-1, 7.80 ERA record for the 1930 Browns and then ride off into the sunrise from the big leagues. (Herm cannot take the usual sunset ride to celebrate the short life and abrupt end of his big league career. Remember, Herm's home is in North Carolina. You can't get there from St. Louis very quickly by riding off into the sunset. :crazy ) The also former University of North Carolina hurler will die on July 26, 1994 im Concord, North Carolina at the age of 87. - BCT/GB, Herm Holshouser!

Deaths on January 20

R. Emmet "Snags" Heidrick dies on January 20, 1916 in Clarion, PA at the age of 39. (The cause of his early death is unknown to me without further research,) The BL/TR infielder/outfielder hurled one inning for the 1902 first-season Browns club, but he started at shortstop regularly and batted .289 in 110 games and 447 AB's. Overall, "Snags" Heidrick played three straight years for the Browns as a starter from 1902 to 1904, moving from short to center field in the latter two seasons. After a three-year break from the big leagues, "Snags" returned to finish his career by playing in 25 games for the 1908 Browns. Over his total career (1898-1908), Heidrick registered a very respectable .300 BA in 3,047 total times AB. - "Snags" Heidrick was born in Queenstown, PA on July 9, 1876.

Oliver Daniel "Ollie" Pickering dies on January 20, 1952 in Vincennes, Indiana at the age of 81. The BL/TR outfielder hit for a total BA of .272 in an 8-year career that stretched over time from 1896 to 1908. Ollie hit .276 in his one full season as a starter for the 1907 Browns. - Pickering was born on April 9, 1870 in Olney, Illinois.

Today's Reference Link ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Bill_McCurdy

01-21-2005, 06:17 AM

January 21, 1916: Yankees Bring Future Browns
"Black Sox Scandal Figure" Back To Big Leagues.

http://www.fancraze.com/i/SbJGedeon.JPG
Joe Gedeon: 1919 Fix's "9th Man Out" was a
St. Louis Browns fringe player (oxymoron?).

It looks like another simple player transaction among several the Yankees make with minor league clubs today. On face. it is. New York buys infielder Joe Gedeon from Salt Lake City of the Pacific Coast League. Gedeon already has a couple of weak cups of coffee with the 1913-1914 Senators under his belt, so he's not a total greenhorn as he joins the 1916 Yankees. After two weak-hitting seasons with the Yankees (1916-1917), New York will deal Joe Gedeon, Les Nunamker, Nick Cullop, and Urban Shocker to the Browns on January 22, 1918 in exchange for Eddie Plank, Del Platt, and $15,000 cash.

Gedeon becomes one of the players who learns about (or is invited into) the search for financial backing of the 1919 World Series fix. Although the evidence is never heard by the Chicago grand jury investigating the eight Chicago White Sox and their line of connection to New York gambling kingpin Arnold Rothstein, it is well known to White Sox owner Charles Comiskey, manager Kid Gleason, and others that a group of midwestern gamblers also were working to get a piece of the action initiated by New York criminals.

"The leaders of this crew were East St. Louis theater owner Harry Redmon, St. Louis blouse maker Carl Zork, St. Louis mule dealer Ben Franklin and two Des Moines bookies, the brothers Ben and Lou Levi. They had been apprised of the pickings through (gambler & ex-boxer Abe) Attell's relationship with his former manager Zork. Their intermediary was St. Louis Browns infielder Joe Gedeon." - excerpt from "The Black Prince of Baseball: Hal Chase and The Mythology of The Game" (2004) by Donald Dewey and Nicholas Acocella (page 331).

JOE GEDEON: Second baseman for the St. Louis Browns and close friend of Swede Risberg. Gedeon received a telegram from Risberg tipping him off to the fix and was present during one of the meetings held between the players and gamblers. Gedeon testified in the trial that he had placed $700 on the Reds after learning of the fix. He was expelled from professional baseball for having "guilty knowledge" of the fix.
- excerpt from 1919blacksox.com http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fs earch%2Fimages%3Fp%3Dsleepy%2Bbill%2Bburns%26fr%3D FP-tab-img-t%26toggle%3D1%26ei%3DUTF-8&h=115&w=222&imgcurl=www.1919blacksox.com%2Fimages%2Fphoto80.jp g&imgurl=www.1919blacksox.com%2Fimages%2Fphoto80.jpg&size=5.7kB&name=photo80.jpg&rcurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.1919blacksox.com%2Fparticip ants.htm&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.1919blacksox.com%2Fparticipa nts.htm&p=sleepy+bill+burns&type=jpeg&no=6&tt=8

http://www.1919blacksox.com/images2/photo27.jpg
Joe Gedeon ... from 1919blacksox.com

When a Chicago jury returns a verdict of not guilty against the eight White Sox players indicted and tried for the fix on August 2, 1921, Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis ignores the verdict and bans the players from organized baseball for life based on evidence well-known in the allegedly lost confessions, plus a lot of other depositional material and hearsay that never came up in court during the criminal trial. The information about Joe Gedeon weighed into the decision of Judge Landis.

As a result, Joe Gedeon became the "9th Man Out" for his alleged misuse of the knowledge he bore about the impending fix of the 1919 World Series and for his supposed role as the intermediary for the midwestern gambling group. Landis also life-bans the light-hitting St. Louis Brown from organized baseball after the 1920 season, even though it appears now that Joe Gedeon was no more guilty than several other players who were ignored by the wrath (or spurious, uneven political agenda) of Judge Landis.

If you haven't read the book quoted above, you owe it to your knowledge of baseball history to do so. It is a fair exposition of the cobweb life spun by the infamous Hal Chase - and of the gambling sub-culture that made the 1919 World Series Scandal such an easy development during those times.

http://www.davidpietrusza.com/0786712503.jpg
Arnold Rothstein: Was A.R. really
the principal "banker" behind the
1919 World Series Fix?

For an even broader look at the gambling/gangster culture that maintained company with such early baseball notables as John McGraw, you may enjoy reading this fascinating biography of the dark shadowy figure who will always be implicated as the bankrolling "fixer" of the 1919 World Series. The book is entitled: Rothstein: The Life, Times, and Murder of the Criminal Genius Who Fixed The 1919 World Series (Carroll & Graf, New York, 2003) by David Pietrusza.

Births on January 21

Bernard Anthony "Bernie" Boland is born on January 21, 1892 in Rochester, New York. In a 7-year pitching career (1915-1921), Bernie hurls 6 years for the Tigers and then finishes his career as a BR/TR guy by posting a 1-4 record with the 1921 Browns. Overall, Boland's record in the big leagues is 68 wins, 53 losses, and an ERA of 3.25. Boland will die on September 12, 1973 in Detroit, Michigan at the age of 81.

Deaths on January 21

Russell Lee "Russ" Bauers passes away on January 21, 1995 in Hines, Illinois at the age of 84. The BL/TR pitcher achieved a career (1936-1941, 1946, 1950) MLB record of 31 wins, 30 losses, and an ERA of 3.53. As a twilight flickering member of the 1950 Browns, Bauers pitched 2 innings, had no W/L record, and registered an ERA of 4.50. - Russ Bauers was born on May 10, 1914 in Townsend, Wisconsin.

Today's Reference Links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/JANUARY21.stm

http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Bill_McCurdy

01-22-2005, 06:55 AM

January 22, 1935: Browns Bump Hadley To Senators.

http://re2.mm-c.yimg.com/image/832417066
Bump Hadley: His tenures with the Senators & Browns
Were Just Bumps in the Road on his way to New York.

The St. Louis Browns trade pitcher Bump Hadley to the Washington Senators for catcher Luke Sewell. The Browns immediately send future manager Sewell to the Chicago White Sox for cash. How much cash the Browns got this time, I don't know. All I know is - if "cash" were the name of a player, he'd be the guy that the Browns were always working to acquire.

Bump Hadley was 10-16 with a 4.35 ERA for the 1934 Browns and 38-56 in his three seasons (1932-1934) with the club. In going to Washington, Hadley returns to the franchise where he broke in and pitched for 6 years (1926-1931). Bump had a brief 3-game stint with the White Sox in early 1932 before coming over to the Browns. Hadley's consecutive 20-loss seasons for the Browns in 1932-33) are no negative measurement of his pitching ability. On bad clubs, guys with the greatest ability simply get more chances to lose. - In spite of the many years he spent with the Browns and Senators, Bump Hadley almost finishes his career (1926-1941) with a .500 record at 161 wins and 165 losses. His salvation will be a trade from Washington that sends him to the Yankees for the last 6 years of his career (1936-1941). During that time, righthander Hadley gets to work in three consecutive World Series (1936-1938), chalking up 2 wins and 1 loss for his baseball resume. - It's a good thing for Bump Hadley that the Browns loved cash. - Our 2nd division club could've given him the opportunity to lose 20 games a season for several more years - had he remained a Brown.

Births on January 22

http://re2.mm-c.yimg.com/image/813178549
"I'm not that old!"
- Tom Jones, singer.

Thomas "Tom" Jones (not the singer) is born on January 22, 1877 in Honesdale, PA. The BR/TR 1st baseman / infielder / outfielder will post a career BA of .251 from 1902 to 1910. He is with the Browns from 1904 to 1909. During the deadball era, a 1st baseman wasn't burdened with the power expectations that go with that position in the early 21st century. It's a good thing for Tom Jones that was the case. In 3,847 career AB's, Jones managed only 4 home runs. - Jones will pass away on June 19, 1923 in Danville, PA at the age of 46.

http://re2.mm-a.yimg.com/image/438250767
Bobby Young

Robert George "Bobby" Young is born on January 22, 1925 in Granite, Maryland. The BL/TR 2nd baseman holds down that position full-time for the last three Browns clubs (1951-1953), hitting in the range of his career BA of .249 for the whole big league stretch he runs from 1948 to 1958. Young is not only one of the last Browns in 1953, he also will become one of the first Baltimore Orioles because of the 1954 franchise move. - Bobby Young will die on January 28, 1985 in Baltimore, MD at the age of 60.

Deaths on January 22

http://www.thedeadballera.com/Cards/WILLIAMS-KEN1923_CARD.jpg
The Great Ken Williams took the HR Crown
from Babe Ruth in '22 with a Career High 39.

Kenneth Roy "Ken" Williams passes away on January 22, 1959 in his birthplace hometown of Grants Pass, Oregon at the age of 68. Williams was one of the great Browns in franchise history and a major player in the 1922 club's near-miss run at the American League title. In good company with Brownie Immortal George Sisler at 1st base, beautiful Baby Doll Jacobson in center field, and electrifying mound ace Urban Shocker, the lefty swinging/righty throwing Ken Williams anchored left field for the '22 Browns and hit .332. Ken Williams led the American League in homers in 1922 with 39 - and also in RBIs with 155. Williams not only bested Babe Ruth's 35 long balls that season, but he also took the measure of the Athletics' Tilly Walker, who came in 2nd with 37 homers. - Ken Williams finished his big league career (1915-1929) with a BA of .319. His best years were with the Browns (1918-1927). - Williams was born in Grants Pass, Oregon on June 28, 1890. - Thank you, Ken Williams, for being one of the legendary men who contributed most to the brightest era in our club's history. You made the early 1920's a time of hope for Browns fans - even if that hope did eventually fail to get us into the World Series.

Today's Reference Links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/today/JANUARY22.stm

http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Bill_McCurdy

01-23-2005, 03:26 AM

Biggest Upset In 1st Half of 20th Century, My Foot!

http://espanol.geocities.com/elpelotero_online/fotos/gaedel_eddie_01.jpg
"I upset a few people too, but I did my surprising work in the
2nd half of the 20th century. I do hold the record for most
times at bat by a vertically challenged person in the big
leagues. That is, if you don't include Freddie Patek."
... Eddie Gaedel

January 23, 1950: AP Picks 1914 Boston Braves. The Associated Press picks the "Miracle Braves" of 1914 as the greatest sports upset in the 20th century. In deference to the fact that even the great and powerful AP had no power to select the greatest sports upset of the 20th century at not even the technical mid-point in time, I would life to tongue-in-cheek offer that the greatest sports upsets of the first 50 years in the 20th century were all moments and events in the history of our beloved St. Louis Browns. Some of these "upsets" were caused directly by the Browns. Others came about implicitly because of the Browns. - Here are my humble five offerings: ;)

Greatest St. Louis Browns Upsets: 1900-1950.

1901: American League Survives. In spite of starting their first year without the presence of the St. Louis Browns, the American League surprises all the smart money and survives the 1901 season without folding. To save themselves from pure reliance upon blind luck of surviving again in 1902, Ban Johnson, president of the American League, makes sure that the Milwaukee Brewers are sold to St. Louis interests and relocated to the Mound City as the Browns in the league's second season. The rest is history. The American League survived.

1919: Browns Survive Loss of Rickey for 34 Years. In a classic fallout of ego over intelligence, new Browns owner Phil Ball chases baseball genius Branch Rickey from the Browns to the same town rival Cardinals. Rickey will proceed to apply his keen eye for talent and his ideas for an innovative farm system into a package that makes big winners of the Cardinals and big losers at the gate for the Browns. Ultimately, more than any other factor, it is the loss of Rickey to the Cardinals that dooms the Browns in St. Louis. - The real upset here is that it took the Browns 34 years (1919-1953) to die slowly as a franchise without any serious chance of winning and making money on a regular basis.

1922: Ken Williams Takes HR Crown from Babe Ruth. As we covered yesterday on the anniversary of his death, Ken Williams of the Browns knocked out Babe Ruth as the American League home run leader by posting 39 to 37 by Tilly Walker and 35 by Ruth. From 1919 to 1924, Ruth led the league in homers every year, except 1922. His 5 out of 6 mark was kept from perfection by the 1922 Williams upset.

1935: Browns Survive Worst Season Gate. In spite of drawing only 80,922 fans to Sportsman's Park to watch them finish 7th, the Browns will come back and play the 1936 season.

1944: Browns Win 1st & Only AL Pennant. In spite of dire predictions to the contrary that it would never happen, the St. Louis Browns win their first and only American League pennant. The Browns could've added lustre to their accomplishment by taking the World Series that year, but the St. Louis Cardinals got in the way, taking the thing in six games.

That's it for now on the editorial side. Once more - please forgive me. I've got too much time on my hands this morning. :p Let's move on to factual matters of Brownie natality and fatality.

Births on January 23

http://thm-c.search.vip.scd.yahoo.com/image/815218629
Jack Powell (above) & Red Donahue
Each won 22 Games for the '02 Browns
During the club's 1st Year in St. Louis!

Francis Rostell "Red" Donahue is born on January 23, 1873 in Waterbury, Connecticut. Red Donahue becomes a BR/TR pitcher whose career bridges its way from the 19th to the 20th century. In fact, Red is one of those rare guys who plays for the "old" Browns (the ones who re-named themselves the Cardinals at the turn of the 20th century) and the "new" Browns (our Browns, the guys from Milwaukee, the AL ones who came to St. Louis in 1902 to compete with the NL Cards as the true Browns). Donahue will play with the "old" Browns for parts of three seasons from 1895 to 1897. Red will join the "real" Browns in 1902 and deliver a 22-11, 2.76 ERA record to the club's first season in St. Louis. With teammate Jack Powell kicking in a 22-17, 3.21 ERA to accompany Donahue's mark, the future of the first year/second place 1902 AL Browns looks a lot brighter than it turns out to be. Add to the irony of the Browns starting their existence with two 20-game winners the fact that both men previously had pitched for the "old" (not the real) St. Louis Browns. - Red Donahue will finish his total career (1893-1906) with a record of 165 wins, 175 losses, and an ERA of 3.61. Red is 30-18 during his two seasons (1902-1903) with the first two Browns clubs. - Red Donahue also will play for Villanova University prior to hs professional career. - After baseball, Red dies young - for reasons unknown to me here without further research. Red Donahue will pass away at the age of 40 in Philadelphia on August 25, 1913.

Mack Pendleton "Mack" Allison is born on January 23, 1887 in Owensboro, Kentucky. Allison will pitch for the Browns during three seasons (1911-1913), and that tenure will represent his total big league career. Mack (BR/TR) will post a complete record of 8 wins, 21 losses, and an ERA of 3.17 Mack Allison will live to see age 77. He will pass from this earth on March 13, 1964 in Mount Vernon, Missouri.

William John "Billy" Mullen is born on January 23, 1896 in St. Louis. Mullen's 36-game big league career spans 5 seasons and it includes 2 stops with the Browns (1920-1921, 1928). Mullen is BR/TR utility infielder who will hit for a career (1920-1928) average of .220 (11 for 50). Only one of Billy's 11 hits is for extra bases and that one is a double. Billy Mullen will die in his home town of St. Louis on May 4, 1971 at the age of 74. - BCT/GB, Billy Mullen!

Deaths on January 23

Elmer Young "Shook" Brown died on January 23, 1955 in Indianapolis at the age of 71. Brown was a BL/TR pitcher whose big league career (1911-1915) started with two years as a St. Louis Brown. I'm not sure if Brown brought his nickname, "Shook," to the Browns - or if he got it because he pitched for the Browns. - "Shook" Brown's career pitching record made a convenience stop at 7-11. To go with those wins and losses, Shook's career ERA was 3.48. Shook Brown was born on August 25, 1883 in Southport, Indiana.

Clarence Francis "Heinie" Mueller dies at age 75 in DeSoto, Missouri on January 23, 1975. The longtime Cardinal, Giant, and Brave (1920-1929) for some reason came back to play 16 games for the 1935 Browns, going for 5 for 27 (.182) in a far-from-stellar icing of an otherwise fine bench-guy career cake. The lefty utility outfielder had a complete BA mark of .282, but he never played more than 92 games in any of his 11 major league seasons. - Mueller was born on September 16, 1899 in Creve Coeur, Missouri.

Today's Reference Link ... http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/

Bill_McCurdy

01-24-2005, 04:42 AM

January 24, 1939: Sisler Gets "Call To Hall".

http://www.thedeadballera.com/Photos/sisler1.jpg
George The Greatest!

The greatest St. Louis Brown ever, George Sisler, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame today. Sisler got the nod, along with Eddie Collins and Wee Willie Keeler, by a wide approval vote from the Baseball Writers Association of America. To get into the Baseball HOF, a candidate needs a 75% support level from the voters of the BBWAA. Of the 274 votes cast today, Sisler received 235 (85.77%) "yes" votes to lead all candidates. Collins received 213 votes (77.74%) and Keeler got 207 votes (75.55%) to follow Sisler into the Hall. - Next in line, but missing the approval cut this time were two other former Browns: Rube Waddell drew 179 votes (65.33%) and Rogers Hornsby pulled 175 votes (64.23%) to fall far short of approval. - What I'd like to know and have explained to me is simple:

(1.) Who were the 39 idiot writers who failed to vote for George Sisler? :noidea (and)
(2.) What in hell's name were these naysayers thinking? :mad:

Reference Link on 1939 HOF Vote ... http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/history/hof_voting/year/1939.htm

Births on January 24

Ernest Herman Frank "Red" Gust is born on January 24, 1888 in Bay City, Michigan. As a Moonlight Graham guy, this short-time Brownie comes with two fitting name factors. A righty all the way, "Gust" goes to bat 12 times in 3 games for the 1911 Browns and comes away with nothing. Not even the presence of three surnames and the nickname "Red" can buy poor Gust a hit that would've delivered him for all time from .000 - the worst BA ever achieved in the big leagues by an alleged 1st baseman. The only consolation is that even a .000 will get you in the record books. If you get there and don't bat, the record book gives you a --- dash in the BA space and, of course, if you never reach the big leagues, the record book treats you as though you never even existed. In this regard, 0 for 12 is better than - for - or no mention at all. Red Gust blew away from this earth on October 26, 1945 in Maupin, Oregon. He was age 57. - BCT/GB, Red Gust!

Clemens Johann "Clem" Dreisewerd is born on January 24, 1916 in Old Monroe, Missouri. The BL/TL pitcher has a big league career record of 6 wins, 8 losses, and a 4.54 ERA from 1944 to 1948. In his only year with the Browns, Clem goes 0 and 2 in 1948. Dreisewerd was better known for his pitching success in the high minor leagues. Time does not permit me to research that area of his career adequately this morning. Clem Dreisewerd passed away on September 11, 2001 in Ocean Sorings, Mississippi at the age of 84. Missouri and Mississippi are fairly appropriate places to start and finish life for a guy whose nickname was "Steamboat."

Walter Franklin "Walt" Judnich is born on January 24, 1917 in San Francisco. The BL/TL 1st baseman starts out with the Browns (1940-1942) and then goes off to WWII. He picks up with the Browns again after his military service (1946-1947) and then finishes his