This Date in Browns History!

[Bill_McCurdy]

May 12th

On This Date in History!




May 12, 1953: Browns Halt Shantz Hex Behind Rookie Larsen; Beat A's, 7-3.

Don Larsen wasn't perfect today, but he didn't have to be.

After 10 straight losses to Bobby Shantz, a skid dating back to May 15, 1951, the St. Louis Browns top the little A's lefty with a 7–3 win at Shibe Park in Philadelphia. Rookie Don Larsen, with 7 plus innings of relief pitching and an RBI triple as a bonus offensive contribution, is the winner for the Browns.



May 12, 1928: Browns Suffer Boston Massacre, 15-2!

"If he's wearing road grays with brown piping, fire at will!"

At Fenway Park in Boston, the Red Sox score 11 runs in the 3rd inning against the St. Louis Browns as they roll to a 15–2 win. Internet reporters of baseball's daily history have spared us the details so I am now privileged to pass on that benefit to the rest of you.



May 12, 1926: Walter Johnson Gets "W" # 400 Against Browns.

Walter Johnson will have 416 wins before he's done.

The Big Train roars loudly in a home game at Washington today. The great Walter Johnson wins the 400th game of his career by defeating the St. Louis Browns, 7–4. He is now 6–1 on the year, but headed for a little tailspin with his Senator teammates after this landmark victory. After today, Johnson will lose his next seven games in a row as the Senators go into a typical second division club nose dive.



May 12, 1923: Browns Involved in Sloppy Transaction.

Sloppy Thurston is headed for The Windy City.

The St. Louis Browns sell pitcher Hollis "Sloppy" Thurston to the Chicago White Sox today for an undisclosed amount of cash. Thurston has no record for the Browns in 2 games, so far, this season. He will go on to a 7-8 record with the 1923 White Sox in 44 games, 31 of which are relief appearances.



May 12, 1915: Wally Schang Nails Record 6 Browns Base Runners.

Wally Schang is a human cannon today.

Philadelphia A's part-time catcher Wally Schang nails an American League record six would-be St. Louis base stealers in a 3–0 Browns victory. One has to wonder what that 6th attempted base stealer was thinking on his way to the record books. No doubt the Browns remembered this day. Eleven years from now, they will acquire Wally Schang in a trade with the Boston Red Sox.



Births on May 12



George Earl "Earl" McNeely


Earl McNeely

Earl McNeely is born on May 12, 1898 in Sacramento, California. The BR/TR outfielder/1st baseman will go on to an 8-year MLB career (1924-1931) in which he hits .272 with 4 HR's. McNeely finishes his career with the 1928-1931 Browns. - Earl McNeely will pass away on July 16, 1971 in his hometown of Sacramento at the age of 73.



Frank John "Dutch" Henry is born on May 12, 1902 in Cleveland, Ohio. The BL/TL pitcher breaks into the big leagues with the 1921-1922 Browns, but posts no W/L record in 7 innings of work. Over the course of his 8-year career with the Browns, Robins, Giants, and White Sox (1921-1930), Henry will record 27 wins, 43 losses, and have a 4.39 ERA. - Dutch Henry will leave this world on August 23, 1968 in Cleveland, Ohio at the age of 66.



Howard Robinson "Lefty" Mills is born on May 12, 1910 in Dedham, Massachusetts. The BL/TL pitcher has a 5-year, all-Browns MLB career (1934, 1937-1940), posting 15 wins, 30 losses, and an ERA of 6.06. - Dusty Mills will die on September 23, 1982 in Riverside, California at the age of 72.



Archie Richard "Archie" or "Happy" McKain is born on May 12, 1911 in Delphos, Kansas. The BB/TL pitcher will post a 1-2 record with the 1941 and 1943 Browns. For his career (1937-1941, 1943), Happy McKain will record 26 wins, 21 losses, and leave an ERA of 4.26. - Archie "Happy" McKain will pass away on May 21, 1985 in Salina, Kansas at the age of 74.



John Edward "Johnny" Hetki is born on May 12, 1922 in Leavenworth, Kansas. The BR/TR pitcher will have an 8-year MLB career (1945-1948, 1950, 1952-1953) in which he wins 18, loses 26, and records an ERA of 4.39. In a brief stop with the 1950 Browns, Heki is 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in 9.1 innings of work. - Johnny Hetki is still with us in 2005.

Happy 83rd Birthday, Johnny Hetki!



Deaths on May 12



James Fred "Fred" or "Red" Bennett passes away on May 12, 1957 in his birthplace of Atkins, Arkansas at the age of 55. The BR/TR outfielder played 7 games for the 1928 Browns, going 2 for 8 (the second quickest way to hit .250) with no homers. Bennett followed that break-in year by playing 37 games for the 1929 Pirates on his way to becoming a gone-for-gooder by season's end. The redheaded Arkansan's "career" BA had closed at a respectable .278, including a single homer that he hit for Pittsburgh in his second and final big league season. - Fred Bennett was born on March 15, 1902 in Atkins, Arkansas.



Henry Emmett "Heinie" Manush

Heinie Manush was one of the all time greats!

Heinie Manush passes away on May 12, 1971 in Sarasota, Florida at the age of 70. The BL/TL Hall of Fame outfielder batted .330 with 110 HR's over the course of his 17-year (1923-1939) MLB career. In his 3 years with the Browns (1928-1930), Manush was no less superb as he hit .378 in 154 games, .355 in 142 games, and .328 in 49 games, before trading him to the Washington Senators in 1930 for annother future Hall of Famer, Goose Goslin. Go figure that trade. It never made sense to me, but so what. We're talking Browns here.- Heinie Manush was born on July 20, 1901 in Tuscumbia, Alabama.

Today's Reference Links ... http://www.baseball-fever.com/newrep...ote=1&p=298685

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/

[Bill_McCurdy]

May 13th

On This Date in History!




May 13, 1947: NY Goes "Back-To-Back-To-Back" To Fell SL, 9-1.


Keller, DiMaggio, & Lindell Go Yard in 6th!

The New York Yankees pound the St. Louis Browns 9–1 at Yankee Stadium with Charlie Keller, Joe DiMaggio, and Johnny Lindell combining for consecutive homers off starter Fred Sanford in the 6th inning.



May 13, 1946: Yankees Are "First in Flight" On Regular Basis.

"Wonder why Ruffing's bunch didn't come with us?"

The New York Yankees become the first MLB team to fly on a regular basis, as they fly United to St. Louis aboard the Yankee Mainliner. Red Ruffing and four others choose to take the train.



May 13, 1939: Browns-Tigers Pull Big Player Deal.

Bobo Newsom: On The Road Again!

Forget the quality exchange issue. The numbers made it big. In a 10-player deal, Bobo Newsom goes from the St. Louis Browns, along with Beau Bell, Red Kress, and Jim Walkup, to Detroit for Vern Kennedy, Bob Harris, George Gill, Roxie Lawson, Chet Laabs, and Mark Christman. It is one of the biggest trades of the 1930s. Newsom will rack up 17 wins this year as a Tiger to finish at 20–11. Kennedy will be the reverse, finishing at 9–20, while Gill, 0-1 after two fine seasons with the Tigers, will be 1–12 with the Browns.



May 13, 1912: Phantom of The Browns-Soap Opera Appears!

"Sometimes you have to do something to keep yourself awake on a boring job!" - Lou Proctor.

A Western Union telegraph operator named Lou Proctor inserts his name as a pinch hitter for the Browns into the Browns-Red Sox box score (no hits in one at bat). The Sporting News will publish the box score and, years later, Proctor's name will appear in the first editions of The Baseball Encyclopedia. The fictitious plate appearance was expunged from the records in 1987 when suspicious researchers from the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) uncovered the stunt.



Births on May 13



Patrick Edward "Pat" Burke is born on May 13, 1901 in St. Louis, Missouri. The BR/TR outfielder goes 0 for 3 with 1 RBI in his only big league game for the Browns on September 23, 1924. - Pat Burke will pass away on July 7, 1965 in his home town of St. Louis at the age of 64.

BCT/GB, Pat Burke! Hope you didn't pull a "Lou Proctor" on us!



Clifford Bryson "Cliff" or "Mule" Fannin



Cliff Fannin is born on May 13, 1925 in Louisa, Kentucky. The BL/TR pitcher In his 8-year (1945-1952) MLB/Browns career, Fannin will win 34, lose 51, and register an ERA of 4.85. - Cliff Fannin will die on December 11, 1966 in Sandusky, Ohio at the age of only 42.



Deaths on May 13



Thomas Edward "Lefty" George passes away on May 13, 1955 in York, PA at the age of 68. The BL/TL pitcher was 4-9, 4.18 with the 1911 Browns and retired with a career (1911-1912, 1915, 1918) MLB mark of 7 wins, 21 loses, and a a 3.85 ERA. - Lefty George was born August 13, 1886 in Pittsburgh, PA.



William Verna "Bill" Brown passes away on May 13, 1965 in Lubbock, Texas at the age of 71. The BL/TL outfielder appeared in 9 games for the 1912 Browns, going 4 for 20 (.200) on his way out the door with a perfect Mendoza. - Bill Brown was born on July 8, 1893 in Coleman, Texas.

BCT/GB, Bill Brown!



Russell Charles "Russ" Young leaves this world on May 13, 1984 in Roseville, California at the age of 81. The BB/TR catcher went 4 for 34 (.118) with 1 HR in 16 games for the 1931 Browns and was then gone for good. - Russ Young was born on Septmber 15, 1902 in Bryan, Ohio.

BCT/GB, Russ Young! Nobody ever mistook you for Ross Youngs, did they?

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

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/

[Bill_McCurdy]

May 14th

On This Date in History!



May 14, 1949: Sievers Leads Browns Romp of Tigers, 8-3.



Roy Sievers on his way to 1949 Rookie of the Year Honors.

The kid's lookin' very good. - Roy Sievers bangs a double and a home run to drive in four runs in the St. Louis Browns 8–3 win over the Detroit Tigers. Slick-fielding Tiger first baseman Paul Campbell ties the major-league record by making two unassisted double plays. While with Montreal of the International League in 1941, Campbell started 26 double plays at 1st base.



May 14, 1941: "Wild Is The Win" Now Playing at Shibe Park!

... and somehow, that's exactly what the Browns did today!

In Philadelphia today, St. Louis Browns pittchers walk 19 Athletics. Starter Bob Harris issues eight of the passes. In spite of their wild ways, the Browns wooly enough to win anyway, 10–5.



May 14, 1933: Browns Split Twin Bill with NY, W 5-1, L 5-9.

"The future? You don't really want to know."

In the opener of two games at Sportsman's Park, the St. Louis Browns down the New York Yankees, 5-1. It wasn't a change of fate that lasted for long. The Yankee bats come roaring back in the nitecap to fell the Browns, 9-5, and all the world seems on the right path in life again.



May 14, 1913: Big Train Gets Scoreless Inning Record Against Browns.

... Walter Johnson sets record with 56 scoreless innings pitched.

At St. Louis today, Walter Johnson tops Jack Coombs' record of 53 straight scoreless innings when he stretches the record to 56 innings. After Washington scores six runs, however, he eases up against the Browns and Del Pratt's 4th inning single drives in a run that snaps the skein. Ahead 9–1, Johnson is relieved by Joe Boehling and Washington finally wins, 10–5.



Births on May 14



Myron Claude "Red" Hayworth



Red Hayworth is born on May 14, 1915 in High Point, NC. The BR/R catcher is the brother of the late Ray Hayworth. Red played on the 1944 American League championship club and he hit .212 with 1 HR in his two seasons (1844-1945) with the Browns. - Red Hayworth is celebrating his 90th birthday today at his home in High Point.

Happy Birthday, Red Hayworth! I miss your company and the great baseball stories you always brought to annual Brownie banquets. Take care of yourself, friend! :atthepc



John Lester "Les" Moss

Les Moss was a good one!

Les Moss is born on May 14, 1925 in Tulsa Oklahoma. The Br/TR catcher had a 13-year MLB career (1946-1958) i which he batted .247 with 63 HR's. Moss was a Brown from 1947 through 1953. - Mos now live is retirement in Florida.

Happy Birthday, Less Moss!



Deaths on May 14



Louis "Lou" Criger passes away in Tucson, Arizona on May 14, 1934 at the age of 62. The famed BR/TR catcher of the great Cy Young and a member of the 1st 1903 World Series Champion Boston American League club is only an active playing Brown by a last gasp game he plays for the St. Louis AL club. Criger's 16-year career mark of a .221 BA and 11 HR's is mainly achieved over the continuous period from 1896 to 1910. Criger returns, however, to go 0 for 2 in one game for the 1912 Browns played on June 3, 1912. - In addition to his reputation as a defensive specialist and the partner of Cy Young, Criger is noted for turning in gamblers who tried to involve him in a scheme for fixing the first World Series. - Lou Criger was born on February 3, 1872 in Elkhart, Indiana.



Michael Joseph "Mike" Kahoe passes away on May 14, 1949 in Akron, Ohio at the age 75. The BR/TR catcher/utility guy had a chopped 11-year MLB career between 1895 and 1909. He batted .212 with 4 HR's overall and he was a Brown from 1902 to 1904. - Mike Kahoe was born on September 3, 1873 in Yellow Springs, Ohio.



Frank O'Rourke
Birth Name: James Francis O'Rourke
Nickname: Blackie
Born On: 11-28-1894
Born In: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Zodiac: Sagittarius
Died On: 05-14-1986
Died In: Chatham, New Jersey
Cemetery: Graceland Memorial Park, Kenilworth, New Jersey
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 5-10½
Weight: 165
First Game: 06-12-1912 (Age 17)
Last Game: 07-28-1931
Draft: Not Applicable

Utility infielder Frank O'Rourke had a 14-year MLB career (1912, 1917-1918, 1920-1922, 1924-1931), finishing with 5 seasons as a Brown (1927-1931). His career marks included a BA of .254 and 15 HRs. - Frank O'Rourke was 91 when he died in 1986.



Thomas Richard "Tom" Turner dies on May 14, 1986 in Kennewick, Washington at the age of 69. The BR/TR catcher played 5 years in the big leagues (1940-1944), reaching the Browns in time to play 15 games for the 1944 championship club. His career BA was .237 with 7 homers. - Tom Turner was born on September 8, 1916 in Custer County, Oklahoma.



James Luther "Luke" Sewell


Luke Sewell

Luke Sewell passes away in Akron, Ohio on May 14, 1987 at the age of 86. The 20-year MLB catcher (1921-1942, .259) is the younger brother of HOF shortstop Joe Sewell. Luke retired following the 1939 season, but he soon take over as manager of the Browns for Fred Haney during the 1941 season. Sewell extended his playing record by going 1 for 12 times at bats as the Browns manager in 1942. Luke Sewell continued as manager of the Browns and led them to their only American League pennant in 1944. He was replaced as Browns manager during the 1946 season by Zack Taylor. Luke Sewell was born on January 5, 1901 in Titus, Alabama.

Today's Reference Links ...

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

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/

[JACKIE42]

5/14/15

[Bill_McCurdy]

May 15

On This Date in History!



May 15, 1950: Browns Buy "Teddy Bear" From Yankees.

"I never dreamed about pitching for the Browns!" - Cuddles Marshall

The New York Yankees sell pitcher Clarence "Cuddles" Marshall to the St. Louis Browns. - So, how cuddily was this deal? “Cuddles” Marshall grew up in Bellingham, Washington with a dream of playing for the New York Yankees. Through perseverance, Marshall’s dream came true. On May 28, 1946, Marshall, who earned the nickname because he was the youngest member of the team, started the first ever night game played at Yankee Stadium. As a member of the 1950 Browns, Cuddles Marshall went was 1-3 with a 7.88 ERA in 53.2 innings of work and was then gone-for good. Next time you want to buy something cute and cuddily, Browns, try the Vermont Teddy Bear Company - or maybe F.A.O. Schwarz, since this is 1950.



May 15, 1941: Galehouse One-Hits Senators; Browns Win, 7-0!

Denny Galehouse (center) in 1944 with George McQuinn (l) and Gene Moore.
Three years after the 1-Hitter, Denny & the Browns will have a bigger reason to celebrate.

At Griffith Stadium in our nation's capitol today, a single by Jimmie Bloodworth in the 7th is the only hit for the Washington Senators as they lose to the St. Louis Browns and Denny Galehouse, 7–0.



May 15, 1941: Browns Acquire Rick Ferrell from Senators.


Rick Ferrell

The St. Louis Browns are not content to settle for one-hit pitching win today. The club trades pitcher Vern Kennedy to the Washington Senators for veteran catcher and future Hall of Famer Rick Ferrell.



May 15, 1936: Senators "Bobo" Browns, 10-5!; Losing Streak Grows!

Bobo Newsom, King of The Road!

At Sportsman's Park today, Bobo Newsom of the Washington Senators strikes out 11 former teammates to hand the St. Louis Browns their 23rd loss in their last 27 games. The Nats win, 10–5, behind a 17-hit attack. Les Tietja is the loser without retiring a batter.



May 15, 1927: Browns "Yankee" Athletics, 8-6!

Schang has a dang good day!

The boys may not have the power to play like Murderers' Row every day, but the juices were running OK this afternoon. In St. Louis, Eddie Miller has his 2nd 4-hit day in a row, and Wally Schang is 3-for-3 with a grand slam to lead the Browns to an 8–6 win over the A's. Eddie Collins and Al Simmons homer for Philly.



Births on May 15



Joseph Patton "Joe" or "Doc" Evans is born on May 15, 1895 in Meridian, Mississippi. The BR/TR Ole Miss alumnus and utility position player will go on to an 11-year career (1915-1927) in which he will hit .259 with 3 HR's. Ecans will conclude his MLB stint with the 1924-1925 Browns and hit .314 in 55 games for the '25 club. Doc Evans will depart this earth on August 9, 1953 at the age of 58.



Chester Emanuel "Chet" Falk is born in Austin, Texas on May 15, 1905. This BL/TL pitcher is the brother of accomplished major league outfielder Bibb Falk, who later goes on to an iconic career as head baseball coach at the The University of Texas. Chet Falk also pitches 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. Chet Falk will die in Austin, Texas, the place of his birth, on January 7, 1982 at the age of 76.



Edward Joseph "Ed" Baecht is born on May 15, 1907 in Paden, Oklahoma. The BR/TR pitcher will have a 6-year MLB career (1926-1928, 1931-1932, 1937) and post a final record of 5 wins, 6 losses, and an ERA of 5.56. He will have record i6.1 innings of work with the 1937 Browns, but his 12.80 ERA balloon will be enough to carry him floating away from the big leagues for all time. - Ed Baecht will pass away in Grafton, Illinois on August 15, 1957 at the age of 50.



Deaths on May 15



Leon Allen "Goose" Goslin

Goose Goslin was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1968.

"Goose" Goslin passes away on May 15, 1971 in Bridgeton, New Jersey at the age of 70. The BL/TR Hall of Fame outfielder had an MLB career (1921-1938) BA of .316 with 248 HR's. Goose was a productive member of the Browns for 3 seasons (1930-1932), hitting .326, .328, and .329 as a full time player. - Goose Goslin was born on October 16, 1900 in Salem, New Jersey.



George Aloys "Showboat" Fisher passes from this earth on May 5, 1994 in St. Cloud, Minnesota at the age of 95. 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. Showboat Fisher was born on January 16, 1899 in Wesley, Iowa.

A big BCT/GB to you too, Slugger Showboat. - That lifetime .335 BA "ain't too shabby."

Have a peaceful Sunday, everybody! :atthepc

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

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/

[Bill_McCurdy]

May 16th

On This Date in History!



May 16, 1948: Pete Gray On Comeback Trail.

Pete Gray Gives Baseball Another Go.

Pete Gray, the one-armed outfielder with the 1945 Browns, begins a comeback today with the Elmira Pioneers of the Class A Eastern League. After a year away from baseball, Gray will hit .290 in 82 games during the 1948 season.



May 16, 1937: 3B Harlond Clift Gets 9 Assists To Tie AL Game Record.

Harlond Clift On Way To Career Assists Mark.

St. Louis Browns 3rd baseman Harlond Clift equals the American League record with nine assists in a 5–4 loss to the Detroit Tigers. A fumble and late throw in the 1st inning would have given him a 10th assist and a new record. By the end of the 1937 season, Clift will set a new record for total chances and the still-standing mark of 405 assists. In this same game, Gee Walker of the Tigers has a single to run his hitting streak to 21 games.



May 16, 1916: Babe Ruth Pitches Red Sox By Browns, 3-1.



At Fenway Park today, and behind the pitching of Babe Ruth, the Boston Red Sox stop the St. Louis Browns, 3–1. The only St. Louis score comes on a double steal.

Another source (Baseball Almanac) shows this game as taking place on May 20, 1916. There's no easy way with limited time this morning to know which source, if either, is correct.

Baseball Almanac ... http://www.baseball-almanac.com/team...p?y=1916&t=SLA



Births on May 16



Frank W. "Stubby" Overmire is born on May 16, 1919 in Moline, Michigan.



The BR/TL pitcher is an alumnus of Western State Teachers College baseball before turning pro. Stubby's MLB career (1943-1952) will include two stints with the Browns (1950-1951 & 1952). He will spend the latter part of the 1951 season with the Yankees. - Overmire's career record includes 58 wins, 68 losees, and an ERA of 3.96. - Stubby Overmire will pass away on March 3, 1977 in Lakeland, Florida at the age of nearly 58.



Deaths on May 16



Thomas William "Tommy" or "Judge" Mee passes away on May 16, 1981 in Chicago, Illinois at the age of 91. The BR/TR utility infielder's MLB career consisted of 8 games he played for the 1910 Browns. He went 3 for 19 (.158 BA) before disappearing from the big leagues and joining the ranks of the you-know-whos! - Oh well. There may be no "I" in the word "team" - but there defintely was a "me" in there - just as much as there ever-so-briefly once was a "Mee" in the Browns. - Tommy Mee was born on March 18, 1890 in Chicago, Illinois.

BCT, Mr. Tommy Mee,
And God Bless too,
Through eternity!

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

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/

[Bill_McCurdy]

May 17th

On This Date in History!



May 17, 1953: SL@NY Sets MLB Mark With 41 Players Used.

Don Larsen started for the Browns today. Larsen will go on to become the only former Brown to later pitch for the Houston Colt .45s/Astros - and the last Brown standing as an active major leaguer in 1967.

Today was definitely the day to go see your favorite player at Yankee Stadium. In a 10-inning 6–5 win for the New Yorkers, the Yankees and Browns use 41 players to set a new major league record. New York uses 23. Don Larsen goes nine and one-third innings for the Browns, with Mike Blyzka arriving in the 10th in time to takes the loss.

As Brownie Bad Luck would have it, the 3 hour and 33 minute-long opener necessitates that the night game of a scheduled doubleheader be called after three and one-half scoreless innings. The Browns will jump on Whitey Ford, threatening to hand the lefty his first defeat ever as a starter, but three relievers and the travel clock bail him out.



May 17, 1951: Browns Trade Les Moss To Red Sox.

Les Moss is Boston Bound for Matts Batts!

The St. Louis Browns today trade catcher Les Moss to the Boston Red Sox for catcher Matt Batts, pitchers Jim Suchecki and Jim McDonald, and $100,000 in cash. - Hmmm! - Wonder how big the cash part of this deal was to Bill Veeck and the Browns?



May 17, 1947: Seagull Bombs Brownie Pitcher at Fenway!


"When you pitch in Boston, it's
best to hold your hands in this
position until you let the ball go."
- Ellis Kinder

A seagull flies over Fenway Park and pelts St. Louis Browns pitcher Ellis Kinder with a 3-pound smelt, missing him by a gill. The unflappable Kinder holds on to top the Boston Red Sox, 4–2, giving up six hits, including Eddie Pellagrini's 3rd homer of the year. Mel Parnell gives up three runs in four innings for the loss. - Hey, seagulls! - How about declaring a "Be Kinder To Kinder Day" the next time he pitches at Fenway!



May 17, 1944: Browns "Walk" Over BoSox in Nitecap for Fenway Split!


Bobby Doerr's Cycle Is Not
Enough To Overcome Red
Sox Pitching Woes in Game 2.

In the nitecap of a doubleheader at Fenway Park, Bobby Doerr hits for the cycle, but the last-place Boston Red Sox lose to the St. Louis Browns, 12–8. The loss leaves the Browns just a half game behind the Yankees for 1st place in the American League. In this 2nd game of a twin bill, Boston outhits the Browns, 15–14, but Red Sox hurlers, including a 2-inning stint by infielder Eddie Lake, walk 14 batters. In the opener, Emmett O'Neill of Red Sox is the loser to Al Jurisich of the Browns. In the opener, Boston's Tex Hughson allows only four hits in the 5–1 Boston win.



May 17, 1934: Manager Hornsby Rescues Victory From Jaws of Defeat.

"When you're smiln', the whole world smiles with you!" - Rogers Hornsby

Down 2–0 in the 8th at Sportsman's Park, St. Louis Browns manager Rogers Hornsby inserts himself into the lineup as a pinch hitter and ties the game with a homer off Boston Red Sox lefty Fritz Ostermueller. The Browns add another 2 runs and hold on for a 4–3 win.



May 17, 1925: Gaston Hurls Browns Past Red Sox, 11-6.

Milt Gaston keeps Red Sox under control today.

The St. Louis Browns roll by the Boston Red Sox, 11–6, at Sportsman's Park behind the pitching of Milt Gaston. Red Sox pitcher Buster Ross doesn't help his cause, committing four errors for an American League record.



Births on May 17



Jimmie Le Roy "Jim" or "Hot Rod" McDonald is born on May 17, 1927 in Grants Pass Oregon, the shared birthplace of former Browns great, Ken Williams. The BR/TR pitcher will have a 9-years MLB career (1950-1958) and finish with a total record of 24 wins, 27 losses, and an ERA of 4.27. In his only season with the farnachise as a member of the 1951 Browns, McDonald will post a record of 4 wins, 7 losses, and an ERA of 4.07. - Hot Rod McDonald is still living.

Happy 78th Birthday, Jim "Hot Rod" McDonald!



Deaths on May 17



No St. Louis Browns Have Ever Died on May 17!

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

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/

[Bill_McCurdy]

May 18th

On This Date in History!



May 18, 1946: Ted Williams Grand Slams BoSox By Browns, 18-8!

"There's a long drive by Williams toward the Pavilion. .... It's going ... going ..."

Sportsman's Park is not a happy place for St. Louisans today as the Boston Red Sox coast to an 18–8 win over the rollover Browns. Mickey Harris wins his 7th straight for the Red Sox and Ted Williams provides his fair share of damage with a grand slam homer for Boston.



May 18, 1938: Bobo Ties "K" Mark, But Can't Win For Losing to NY, 11-7.

Bobo Newsom Ties AL Mark with 6 Straight K's!

After Bobo Newsom equals the American League record with six consecutive strikeouts, Joe DiMaggio hits his 2nd home run of the game, and Newsom and the Browns lose to New York 11–7. DiMag drives in five runs and Yankee winning pitcher Lefty Gomez knocks in 3 runs.



Births on May 18



Donald Andrew "Don" Lund is born on May 18, 1923 in Detroit, Michigan. The BR/TR utility outfielder and Michigan alumnus will go on to a 281-game career (1945, 1947-1949, 1952-1954) in which he hits .240 with 15 HR's. In his only year as a Brown in 1948, Lund will hit .248 with 3 HR's in 63 games. Don Lund is waking up to a birthday in 2005.

Happy 82nd Birthday, Don Lund!



Deaths on May 18



John Henry "Handsome Jack" Kramer passes away at age 77 in Metairie, Louisiana on May 18, 1995. Jack Kramer was a stellar righthanded pitcher for the Browns from 1939 through 1947, going 17-13 for their 1944 American League champions. Jack's career continued through 1951 with the Red Sox, Giants, and Yankees. He finished with an MLB mark of 95 wins, 103 losses, and E.R.A. of 4.24. Jack Kramer was born on January 5, 1918 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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

[Bill_McCurdy]

May 19th

On This Date in History!



May 19, 1942: Gehrig's Replacement at 1st Is Twice Briefly a Brown.

Babe Dahlgren was a Travelin' Man.

When Lou Gehrig's disease finally took him out of he lineup on April 30, 1939 after he had played 2,130 consecutive games, it was a fellow named Babe Dahlgren who physically took his place at 1st base that day. Three years later, the likeable Dahlgren finds himself being traded around like pork bellies. Where are the frequent flyer miles? Oh, that's right, it's 1942! - Today the Chicago Cubs sell Babe Dahlgren to the Brooklyn Dodgers, six days after they sold the Babe to the St. Louis Browns on a conditional basis. The condition with the Browns was that Dahlgren be allowed to hit. After using Babe as a pinch hitter in two games, the Browns sent him back to the Cubs. Dahlgren will return to complete his much traveled career with the 1946 Browns and he will hit .175 in 80 farewell times at bat. It will be the last stop in an 8-team career for Babe Dahlgren that began with the Boston Red Sox in 1935.



May 19, 1934: Grove Finds Groove in 1st Season Start Against Browns!

Lefty was loose as a goose today.

Lefty Grove of the Boston Red Sox makes his first start of the season at Sportsman's Park, going the distance to beat the St. Louis Browns and Dick Coffman, 4–1. Lefty allows only six hits and also belts a 3-run homer that provides the winning margin. We imagine that the visitors' clubhouse was spared any damage on this particular day. Grove should have been buying for everybody on this spring night in St. Louis.



May 19, 1925: Red Sox Outfielder Sets AL DP Mark Against Browns.

Tris Speaker: One of his fielding marks fell today.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Ira Flagstead starts three doubl plays, an American League record, against the St. Louis Browns today in a game played at Sportsman's Park. Flagstead's feat breaks the record held by Tris Speaker. Speaker's accomplishment with the Cleveland Indians in 1918 was unassisted. Oh yeah, in spite of Flagstead's record-breaking effort, the Browns beat the Red Sox in this one, 8–2.



Births on May 19



Albert W. Horazdovsky, aka "Red Nelson" is born on May 19, 1886 in Cleveland, Ohio. The BR/TR will go 8-12 with the 1910-1912 Browns and finish his career (1910-1913) with a record of 10 wins, 12 losses, and an ERA of 4.54. - "Red Nelson" will pass away on October 26, 1956 in St. Petersburg, Florida at the age of 80.



Frederick Paul "Dutch" Schliebner is born on May 19, 1891 in Charlottenburg, Germany. The BR/TR 1st baseman will play a split year with the Brooklyn Robins and St. Louis Browns in 1923 and then be gone-for-good. Unlike many of our brief time guys who suddenly vanish, Dutch Schliebner is a little harder to understand as a guy who could not have played longer - somewhere other than for the Browns. Perhaps, he is injured in some way. That's always my first question. - Schliebner will be acquired by the Browns early in the 1923 season when it becomes apparent that George Sisler's eye problem is going to cause him to miss the whole year. That's a tough act to follow, but Dutch Scliebner still hits .275 with 122 hits and 4 homers in 121 games in 1923. His brief earlier time in 1923 with Brooklyn only lowers his one-year career BA to .271 with 141 total hits, including 23 doubles, 6 triples, and 4 HRs. Of course, with Sisler returning in 1924, Dutch has no future with the Browns, but on the face of his stats, he could've played somewhere. The answer to his eraly disappearance lies elsewhere this morning. - Dutch Scliebner will die on April 15, 1975 in Toledo, Ohio at the age of nearly 84.



Raymond Lincoln "Ray" Kennedy is born on May 19, 1895 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Speaking of Moonlight Graham!) Kennedy will get one time at bat for the Browns on September 8, 1916. The oppositon will retire the righthanded batter and that will be be it for Kennedy's big league career. He also threw righthanded, but he never takes the field in the big leagues to use that part of his game. Ray Kennedy will pass away at the age of 63 on January 18, 1969 in Casselberry, Florida. - BCT/GB to you too, Ray!



Rupert Lockhart "Tommy" Thompson is born on May 19, 1910 in Elkhart, Indiana. The BL/TR outfielder/1st baseman will play 6 years in the big leagues (1933-1946, 1938-1939), hitting .266 with 9 HR's for his career. He plays his last season as a 1939 Brown, hitting a cool .302 in 86 trips to the plate. Tommy Thompson will pass away on May 24, 1971 in Auburn, California at the age of 61.



Jacob Willard "Jake" Early is born on May 19, 1915 in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. The BL/TR 9-year veteran catcher (1939-1943, 1946-1949) will have a career BA of .241 with 32 HR's. As a member of the 1947 Browns, Early will hit .224 with 3 HR's. - Jake Early will pass away on May 31, 1985 in Melbourne, Florida at the age of 70.



Deaths on May 19



Joe Gedeon

9th Man Out Was A Brown!

Birth Name: Elmer Joseph Gedeon
Nickname: None
Born On: 12-05-1893
Born In: Sacramento, California
Zodiac: Sagittarius
Died On: 05-19-1941
Died In: San Francisco, California
Cemetery: East Lawn Memorial Park, Sacramento, California
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6-00
Weight: 167
First Game: 05-13-1913 (Age 19)
Last Game: 10-03-1920
Draft: Not Applicable

2nd baseman Joe Gedeon had a 7-season MLB career (1913-1920), batting .244 with only 1 HR in 2,109 official times at bat. He was a Brown for 3 years (1918-1920) before best known as the "9th man out" in the infamous Black Sox Scandal. - Joe Gedeon also was banned from baseball by Commissioner Landis for having guility knowledge of the White Sox conspiracy to fix the 1919 World Series, for not reporting what he knew, and for trying to benefit from gambling gangsters in the Midwest on the basis of that information. - Joe Gedeon stands out as the only Brown who truly was "gone for good" after the 1920 season. - Joe Gedeon died in 1941 at age 47.




John "Johnny" Berardino


"John Beradino" in his 2nd
career as a tv actor/doctor.

John "Johnny" Berardino The final curtain for Brownie ballplayer/Hollywood actor Johnny Berardino, aka John Beradino, comes on May 19, 1996 in Los Angeles, California at age 79. The BR/TR infielder from USC will enjoyed an 11-year MLB career (1938-1942, 1946-1952) and left the game with a BA of .249 with 36 HR's. Beradino had two tours as a Brown. The first tour was interrupted by World War II (1939-1942, 1946-1947). The second tour was brief (39 games in 1951). - After retiring from baseball, Berardino dropped the 2nd "r" in his last name and began a long career as an actor named "John Beradino", playing a doctor on the television soap, "General Hospital." Johnny "B" was born on May 1, 1917 in Los Angeles, California.

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

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/

[Bill_McCurdy]

May 20th

On This Date in History!




May 20, 1947: Rosar "E" is 1st in 756 Chances; Browns Beat A's, 11-1.

Buddy Rosar of A's Commits 1st Error in 147 Games.

In Philadelphia today, Athletics catcher Buddy Rosar drops a pop-up off Walt Judnich's bat for his first error in 147 games and 756 chances. Yogi Berra will extend the record to 148 and 950 in 1957-59, but Rosar's 1946 single-season record of 115 games and 605 errorless chances will not be surpassed until 1997 by the Florida Marlins' (National League) Charles Johnson. The St. Louis Browns win the game over the A's, 11–1, behind Red Muncrief.



May 20, 1945: Pete Gray Stars In Browns Sweep of Yankees!

Pete Gray does it with bat and glove!

In St. Louis today, Pete Gray stars as the Browns sweep the Yankees, 10–1 and 5–2. Gray has two RBI on three hits in the opener, and, in the nightcap, he scores the winning run and hauls in seven fly balls, three on spectacular catches.



May 20, 1925: Sisler Streak Stops at 34; Williams Slams; A's Win, 8-6.

George Sisler's Run at His Own Record is Halted by Grove & Harris.

At Sportsman's Park today, George Sisler's 34-game hitting streak, stretching back to Opening Day, is stopped by Philadelphia A's pitchers Lefty Grove and Slim Harriss. Browns teammate Ken Williams bangs a grand slam, but the A's win, 8–6.



May 20, 1922: Browns Rally Late, Crush Yankees, 8-2!

Urban Shocker 3-Hits New York With Help from Reversed Umpire Call & Baby Doll Slam!

Babe Ruth and Bob Meusel (and since-traded pitcher Bill Piercy), suspended on October 16, 1921, by Judge Landis, are reinstated and return to the New York lineup going hitless in New York's 8–2 loss to the rallying Browns at the Polo Grounds today. The Browns, down 2–0 after 7, score one in the 8th and seven in the 9th, six of them coming after the game-ending out is called by umpire Ollie Chill at first base. Pitcher Sam Jones, taking the throw at 1st base from Wally Pipp, apparently makes the 3rd out and fans swarm the field. There's one problem - Jones does not hold onto the ball cleanly and plate umpire Brick Owens instructs Chill to make a safe call. The tying run scores for the Browns on the play and, when the action resumes 15 minutes later, Wally Gerber singles to make the score 3–2. Walks to Sisler and Williams force home another run, and Baby Doll Jacobson clears the bases with a grand slam into the RF stands to complete the scoring. Winner Urban Shocker allows just three hits, including a two-run homer by second baseman Aaron Ward. The loss to Jones starts him on a 10-game losing streak, while a cold Ban Johnson will let umpire Ollie Chill go after the season.



May 20, 1916: Ruth Pitches Boston By Browns, 3-1.

Ruth Allows No Brownie Hits in His 5 2/3 Innings of Work Today.

At Fenway Park today, starter Babe Ruth walks the first two Browns hitters. With the 2nd walk, Ruth's batterymate Pinch Thomas complains so much about the call that he is tossed. Sam Agnew takes his place behind the plate. After two outs, and runners at 1st and 3rd, the Browns pull a double steal to score. The Sox take a 2–1 lead after 4, and when Ruth walks the bases loaded in the 6th, Carl Mays relieves. Mays allows two hits in three 1/3 innings to preserve the 3–1 win. Ruth allows no hits in his five 2/3 innings.



May 20, 1903: Sudhoff Pitches Browns By Boston, 4-3.

Willie Wins Game, But Loses Shutout Streak.

In St. Louis today, Willie Sudhoff of the Browns beats the Boston Pilgrims, 4-3, but the Beantowners stops the Brownie pitcher's three-game shut out skein.



Births on May 20



Peter William "Pete" or "Jake" Appleton is born on May 20, 1904 in Terryville, Connecticut. The BR/TR pitcher will have a career (1927-1945) record of 57 wins, 66 losses, and an ERA of 4.30. Pete plays for several clubs. He is 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 records his last big league win without adding anything to the loss column. Pete Appleton will play ball for the University of Michigan prior to starting his prefessional career. Pete Appleton dies on January 18, 1974 in Trenton, NJ at the age 69.



Earl Wellington "Earl" Rapp


Earl Rapp: He missed in the big leagues,
but he made it to the PCL Hall of Fame!

Earl Rapp is born on May 20, 1921 In Corunna, Michigan. The BL/TR outfielder will have a 3-year, 135 big league game career (1949, 1951-1952), finishing with a .262 BA and 2 HR's in his 279 pfficial times at bat. Coming over from the Giants early in the year, Rapp plays for the Browns in 1951 and hits .327 (32 hits in 98 AB's) the rest of the way. Rapp also starts with the Browns in 1952, but is soon dealt to the Senators for the finish of his big league career. - Earl Rapp will pass away on February 13, 1992 in Swedesboro, New Jersey at the age of 70.



Deaths on May 20



Tharon Leslie "Pat" Collins passes away on May 20, 1960 in Kansas City, Missouri at the age of 63. The BR/TR catcher had a 20-year MLB career (1919-1924, 1926-1929) in which he hit .254 with 33 HR's. Collins played for the Browns from 1919 to 1924, hitting .307 in 63 games for the great 1922 club. - Pat Collins was born on September 13, 1896 in Sweet Springs, Missouri.



Fred William "Fritz" Schulte passes away on May 20, 1983 in Belvidere, Illinois at the age of 81. The BR/TR outfielder was a good hitter with a long MLB career (1927-1937). Fritz was a Brown (1927-1932) for 6 years before finishing his big league days with the Senators and Pirates. Schultz impressed the Browns when he batted .317 in 60 games in his 1927 rookie season. He followed 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 finished with a career BA of .291. - Fritz Schultz was born on January 13, 1901 in Belvidere, Illinois.

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

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/

Have a nice weekend, everybody! :atthepc

[Bill_McCurdy]

May 21st

On This Date in History!



May 21, 2005: Ancient Browns Fan Addresses "Baseball As America" Crowd.

Net profits from our book are dedicated to the museum fund of the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame.

Book Link ... http://mfah.org/shops/main.asp?targe...tPage=1&bhcp=1

Wish me luck, people. Tonight at 6:00 PM, it is my honor to be the leadoff speaker for the opening of the Baseball As America exhibit in Houston. I am both humbled and excited by the opportunity. To the surprise of no one here on this board, one of the stories I plan to include is that of Bill Veeck and Eddie Gaedel.

Take care. I'll let you guys know how it goes. :atthepc



May 21, 1935: Browns Sell Bobo Newsom To Senators.

Bobo Newsom Was Baseball's Answer to Hoboland's Boxcar Willie!

Promising pitcher Buck Newsom, aka Bobo Newsom, is sold by the St. Louis Browns to the Washington Senators today for $40,000. It is only the 4th of numerous moves that Newsom will make during a 20-year career that spans his longer time period in the big leagues from 1929 to 1953. His franchise stops will occur in this order: (1.) Brooklyn Dodgers; (2.) Chicago Cubs; (3.) St. Louis Browns; (4.) Washington Senators; (5.) Boston Red Sox; (6.) St. Louis Browns (2nd time); (7.) Detroit Tigers; (8.) Washington Senators (2nd time); (9.) Brooklyn Dodgers (2nd time); (10.) St. Louis Browns (3rd time); (11.) Washington Senators (3rd time); (12.) Philadelphia Athletics); (13.) Washington Senators (4th time); (14.) New York Yankees; (15.) New York Giants; (16.) Washington Senators (5th time); and (17.) Philadelphia Athletics (2nd time). - For all his travels and troubles, Bobo Newsom will end up with a career record spent mainly with losing teams, but he still comes out of it with 211 wins, 222 losses, and an ERA of 3.98. - That's 211 wins, folks, - and they are accomplished by a guy who pitches three times for the Browns and five times for the Senators. Wow! Bobo Newsom was incredibly amazing and obviously resilient to the winds of change. Winds of change? What an understatement. The man played his whole career apparently in a cyclone.



May 21, 1935: Same Day As Bobo Deal - Browns Dump Blaeholder Salary.

George Blaeholder is headed for Philly Today.

The Philadelphia Athletics acquire pitcher George Blaeholder, who won 10 or more games in each of the last seven seasons, from the St. Louis Browns for Ed Coleman and Sugar Cain. Blaeholder had one of the highest salaries on the cash-poor Browns. With the money the get from the sale of Bobo Newsom to the Tigers and the dumping of George Blaeholder's salary upon the A's, the Brownie boat stays afloat for now.



May 21, 1925: Mickey Cochrane Has 3-HR Day; A's Blast Browns, 20-4!

Future Hall of Famer Mickey Cochrane Has Lights Out Day Against Browns.

At Sportsman's Park today, Philadelphia A's rookie Mickey Cochrane hits three homers to lead Philadelphia to a 20–4 rout of the St. Louis Browns. His first two clouts come off Milt Gaston, and the third off George Blaeholder. Cochrane's HR production in this game is 50% of his 1925 total of 6.



May 21, 1904: O'Neill Auditions For Browns With 6-Error Game.

After the game, Bill O'Neill may have thought about it, but he didn't do it.

As hard as he tries, Boston shortstop Bill O'Neill is unable to attract a trade to the Browns, but he does put himself in the record books by committing six errors in a 13-inning, 5-3 loss to St. Louis in a game played in Beantown. Get this - O'Neill makes errors in the first inning on the first three balls hit to him, and a fourth straight error with a misplay in the 2nd inning. His final error is on an easy grounder in the 13th inning that allows two Browns runs to score. O'Neill is only 20th century player to record six errors in a single game.



Births on May 21



Not today. No Browns. Ever.



Deaths on May 21



Bernard James "Ben" Koehler passes away in South Bend, Indiana on May 21, 1961 at the age of 84. This BR/TR utility guy played 1B, 2B, 3B, SS and CF for the 1905-1906 Browns. Unfortunately, he didn't hit well enough to extend his MLB career beyond those two seasons. In 722 AB's during those two years with the Browns, Koehler registered a .233 batting average for his efforts and then left the big league scene for all time. Ben Koehler was born on January 26, 1877 in Schoerndorn, Germany.

BCT/GB, Herr Koehler! :atthepc



Archie Richard "Archie" or "Happy" McKain passes away on May 21, 1985 in Salina, Kansas at the age of 74. The BB/TL pitcher posted a 1-2 record with the 1941 and 1943 Browns. For his career (1937-1941, 1943), Happy McKain recorded 26 wins, 21 losses, and left an ERA of 4.26. - Archie "Happy" McKain was born on May 12, 1911 in Delphos, Kansas.












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

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/

[Bill_McCurdy]

May 22nd

On This Date in History!



May 22, 1922: NY Rallies To Defeat Browns in 13th, 4-3.

Everett Scott Does It With Bat Today!

Down 3–0 to the St. Louis Browns' Elam Vangilder at New York's home in the Polo Grounds, Babe Ruth finally puts the Yankees on the board with a homer in the 8th. The Yankees win, 4-3, in the 13th when Everett Scott's single off Hub Pruett scores Bob Meusel.



Births on May 22



Clarence Perkins "Pat" Parker is born on May 22, 1892 in Somerville, Massachusetts. The BR/TR right fielder will become an alumnus of the University of Dubuque whose 2-game firefly career with the 1915 Browns consists of 1 single in 6 times at bat (.167 BA), 1 RBI, and 3 strikeouts by the opposing pitcher. That 50% strikeout ratio will be enough to decidedly process Pat Parker into a full-fledged gone-for-gooder after the 1915 season. - Pat Parker will pass away on March 21, 1967 in Claremont, New Hampshire at the age of 73.



Deaths on May 22



Edward Theodore "Fred" or "Laddie" Link passes away on May 22, 1939 in Houston, Texxas at the age of 53.The BL/TL pitcher posted a one-season career record of 5 wins, 7 losses, and a 3.30 ERA for the Cleveland Naps and St. Louis Browns. After spending most of 1910 season with the Naps, Link moved to the Browns in time to pitch only one loss in three starts over 17 innings. After 1910, Link had no further link to a major league future and was ... (Well, do I really have to say it every time?) -Laddie Link was born on March 11, 1886 in Coulmbus, Ohio. - BCT/GB, Fred Link!



Henry Harry "Harry" or "Handsome Harry" Howell passes away on May 22, 1956 in Spokane, Washington at the age of 79. The BR/TR pitcher had a 13-year (1898-1910)MLB record of 131 wins, 146 losses, and an ERA of 2.74. Howell had a 7-year (1904-1910) Browns record of 68 wins and 91 losses. - Harry Howell was born on November 14, 1876 at some now unknown specific site in the State of New Jersey.



Frank Stephen "Frank" or "Porky" Biscan passes away on May 22, 1959 in St. Louis< Missouri at the tender age of 39.The BL/TL pitcher had a 3-season, all Browns MLB career (1942, 1946, 1948), recording a total record of 7 wins, 9 losses, and a 5.28 ERA. - Porky Biscan was born on March 13, 1920 in Mount Olive, Illinois. - That's all, folks!



William Lear "Bill" or "Beverly" Bayne passes away on May 22, 1981 in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 82.The BL/TL pitcher had a 9-year MLB career (1919-1924, 1928-1930) in which he won 31, lost 32, and posted an ERA of 4.84. As a Brown during his first five seasons, Bayne won 23 and lost 19. - I have no idea why they sometimes called the guy "Beverly." - Bill Bayne was born on April 18, 1899 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.



About Last Night ...



I guess the old Brownie fan did allright in his speech to the "Baseball As America" crowd in Houston last night. I'm just humbled to have been asked to speak and pleased that's it's now done. As an old Brownie, win or lose, I just keep trying. That's all I know how to do - and it's what keeps me alive for one more delicious day. Who could ask for anything more?

Have a Nice Sunday, Everybody! :atthepc

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

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/

[Bill_McCurdy]

May 23rd

On This Date in History!



May 23, 1951: BoSox Crush Browns, 12-0! Vern Stephens Sets Assist Mark!

Former Brown Stephens Has Record 10 Assists at 3B - With Help from Pesky.

It's a good day Fenway Park, if you're a Red Sox fan, that is. For the Browns, it's awful. First of all, Boston's Mel Parnell gives up four hits in shutting out the St. Louis Browns, while stroking four hits himself. Next Ted Williams walks five times in the 12–0 win. Lastly, former Brown Vern Stephens sets an assist record for third baseman, with an assist from shortstop Johnny Pesky. On the last out of the game, a grounder to Pesky should be the last out of the game on a routine 6-3 play to first. Pesky has another idea. Aware that Stephens needs only one more credit for the new assist mark by a third baseman, Pesky flips the ball to Stephens, who fires to 1st base and makes it a 6-5-3 putout that sets the third base record at 10 assists. - Frank Malzone of the Red Sox will equal the record in 1957 and Ken McMullen of the Senators will top it in 1966. - Today's latest loss leaves the Browns with a record of 8-25 on the season.



May 23, 1940: Browns Nip Sens, 8-7! Game Viewed by 793 Paying Fans!


"Hello down there! .............. Anybody home?"

For the exclusive benefit of only 793 paying customers in St. Louis, the St. Louis Browns trip the Washington Senators, 8–7, in 12 innings. Jimmy Bloodworth's 2-run home run gives the Nats the lead in the top of the 12th, but George McQuinn's 2nd homer of the day, a single by an unnamed Brown, and a triple by Rip Radcliff, who then scores on a sacrifice fly by another unreported Brown gives St. Louis the win over Sid Hudson. Today's win gives the Browns an 11-15 record through today.



May 23, 1929: Browns Split With Indians! Melillo Hits for Cycle in Nitecap!

Oscar Melillo Hits For Cycle To Pace Browns in 2nd Game.

In Cleveland today, the St. Louis Browns divide a pair with the Indians, losing the opener, 5–4, in 12 innings, and taking the nitecap, 7–5. Oscar Melillo of the Browns paces the 2nd game offense by hitting for the cycle. The split leaves the Browns with a 20-12 record to this point in the season.



May 23, 1922: Browns Blast NY, 11-3, Behind Sisler, Williams, & Shocker!

Urban Shocker Coasts With Help From Friends.

George Sisler and Frank Baker match homers as the Browns and Yankees go into the 7th tied, 3-3. Ken Williams then blasts HR #12 with two on, giving St. Louis a 6–3 lead. The Browns add five more off reliever Lefty O'Doul to win, 11–3. Urban Shocker is the winner for St. Louis, bettering the club's record to date to 21-14.



Births on May 23



Luther Lane "Luke" Stuart is born on May 23, 1892 in Almance County, North Carolina. The BR/TR 2nd baseman is another MLB short-timer. The Guilford College alumnus goes 1 for 3 in 3 games for the 1921 Browns, managing 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. His only hit is a home run and it is a memory he gets to keep (along with that .333 BA) on his way to The Land of Gone-For-Good. - Luke Stuart will pass away on June 15, 1947 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina at the age of 56.

BCT/GB, Luke Stuart!



George Willis "Willis" Hudlin

Willis Hudlin: Long-Time Indian, Short-Time Brown.

Willis Hudlin is born on May 23, 1906 in Wagoner, Oklahoma. The BR/TR pitcher has 16-year MLB career, mainly with the Indians, and he finishes with a career record of 158 wins, 156 losses, and a 4.41 ERA. His total years of service are from 1926-1940 and 1944. - As a Brown in 1940 and 1944, 0-2 in only 13.1 innings of limited action. - Willis "Ace" Hudlin will leaves this world on August 5, 2002 in Little Rock Arkansas at the age of 92.



Frank Octavius "Frank" Mancuso is born on May 23, 1918 in Houston, Texas. The younger brother of former Cardinal/Giant catcher Gus Mancuso, Frank Mancuso also is a BR/TR receiver who plays 3 years with the Browns (1944-1946) and 1 year with the Senators (1947). As a member of the 1944 Browns American League championship club, Frank will go 2 for 3 (.667 BA) in the World Series. His action is limited and his career is harmed and shortened by a back injury he incurs as a paratrooper in WWII only a year prior to his World Series appearance. Frank Mancuso is a special friend. His mom lived down the street from us in Houston when I was a kid. Mrs. Mancuso used to go grocery shopping with my mom. - Frank Mancuso's great batting record as a minor leaguer is hurt at the MLB level because of the back problem and he bats only .241 with 5 hR's over the course of his 337 game career. AFter his career ended, Frank Mancuso entered politics and he served for 30 years on the Houston City Council. For his many contributions to programs serving the children of Houston, an athletic complex was named for him here during the early 1990s. For his overall career, major and minor league levels, and for his many contributions to baseball in our area, Frank Mancuso was inducted into the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993. - Frank Mancuso also has been an active participant in the annual Browns reunions, in spite of the back problem which now haunts him all the way into his later years.

Happy 87th Birthday, Frank Mancuso! Look for a call from me today!



Jerome Francis "Jerry" McCarthy is born on May 23, 1923 in Brooklyn, New York. The BL/TL Penn alumnus gets into 2 games as a 1st baseman for the 1948 Browns and that's it. McCarthy makes 2 errors in the field, but he does go 1 for 3 (.333 BA) before he is gone-for-good. Jerry McCarthy will pass away on October 3, 1965 in Oceanside, New York at the age of 42.

BCT/GB, Jerry McCarthy!



Deaths on May 23



Raymond Allen "Rip" Radcliff passes away in Enid, Oklahoma on May 23, 1962 at the age of 56. The BL/TL outfielder/first baseman recorded a fine career BA of .311 from 1934 to 1943 for the White Sox, Browns, and Tigers. Rip enjoyed 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 dealt 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 was born on January 19, 1906 in Kiowa, Oklahoma.

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

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/

[Bill_McCurdy]

May 24th

On This Date in History!




May 24, 1940: 1st Night Game at Sportsman's Park: Browns Fall to Tribe, 3-2!

Bob "Most Happy" Feller Enjoys The St. Louis Night!

In the first night game ever played at Sportsman's Park, the Cleveland Indians edge the St. Louis Browns, 3–2, before 24,827 fans. It is the biggest Browns crowd since 1922. Bob Feller beats Eldon Auker and also hammers his first big league home run to provide the Cleveland margin of victory.



Births on May 24



Clarence "Pete" Sims is born on May 24, 1891 in Crown City, Ohio. The BR/TR pitcher works in 3 games for the 1915 Browns, starting 2 and finishing another in relief. His record is 1-0, with an ERA of 4.32 for 8.1 total innings of work. These totals turn out to be the complete MLB record of Pete Sims, who never again appears for the Browns or any other big league club. Pete Sims slips quietly into baseball obscurity after 1915, finally passing away on December 2, 1958 in Dallas, Texas at the age of 77.

BCT/GB, Pete Sims!



Guillermo (Perez) "Willie" Miranda is born on May 24, 1926 in Velasco, Cuba. The BB/TR infielder will have a 9-year MLB career (1951-1959) in which he bats .221 with 6 homers. Miranda is 2 for 17 (.118) in 24 games for the 1952-1953 Browns. - Willie Miranda will pass away on September 7, 1996 in Baltimore, Maryland at the age of 70.



Deaths on May 24



Barney "The Yiddish Curver" Pelty passes away on May 24, 1939 in Farmington, Missouri at the age of 58. The BR/TR pitcher was a 10-season force for the 1903-1912 Browns, although he he finished out his career with a 1-4 record for the Washington Nationals over the last 11 games of his final season. Everything else was all Browns. Pelty ended his career with a total record of 91 wins, 117 losses, and an ERA of 2.63. "The Yiddish Curver" was born on September 10, 1880 in Farmington, Missouri.



Rupert Lockhart "Tommy" Thompson passes away on May 24, 1971 in Auburn, California at the age of 61. The BL/TR outfielder/1st baseman played 6 years in the big leagues (1933-1946, 1938-1939), hitting .266 with 9 HR's for his career. He played his last season as a 1939 Brown, hitting a cool .302 in 86 trips to the plate. Tommy Thompson was born on May 19, 1910 in Elkhart, Indiana.

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

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/

[Bill_McCurdy]

May 25

On This Date in History!





May 25, 1950: Dropo Slugs Red Sox By Browns, 15-12!

Walt Dropo brought some mean bats to St. Louis; Grand Slam is 10th HR Since May 3rd!.

In the short time he's been with the Red Sox, rookie first baseman Walt Dropo is looking like baseball's version of Paul Bunyan. Thanks largely to the big righthanded power hitter, the Red Sox outhit the Browns, 19–15. Boston also outscores St. Louis, 15-12, for the win at Sportsman's Park today. The big explosion comes late. Boston scores 10 runs in the last three innings. Walt Dropo drives in six runs on the day, four with a grand slam in the 8th. It is his 10th home run since joining the Sox on May 3. Big Walt is on his way to a 1950 BA of .322 and a total of 34 homers. Today's loss drops the Browns' 1950 record to date to 8-18.




May 25, 1945: Nels Potter Goose Eggs, Red Sox, 5-0!

Leon Culberson of Red Sox Gets Rare Unassisted DP by Center Fielder.

Bostonians go home disappointed from Fenway Park today as Nels Potter of the St. Louis Browns shuts out the Boston Red Sox, 5-0. Red Sox center firelder Leon Culberson provides the Beantowners with their biggest thrill when he pulls off an unassisted double play. Culberson catches a short looper to center field and continues on to make the tag at second base before Vern Stephens, the Browns runner at 2nd, is able to return following the surprise catch. With the win, the defending American League champion Browns run their season record to date to 14-11.



Births on May 25



John Francis "John" Daley is born on May 25, 1887 in Pittsburgh, PA. The BR/TR shortstop from St. Johns College goes 9 for 52 (.173 BA) with 1 HR in 18 games for the 1912 Browns as his total MLB career. - What he lacks in longevity in the big leagues, he makes up for on the clock that spins planet Earth. John Daley will pass away on August 31, 1988 in Mansfield, Ohio at the age of 101!

BCT/GB, John Daley! - You deserve a double hand of applause!



James Norman "Jim" Riley is born on May 25, 1895 in Bayfield, New Brunswick, Canada. The BL/TR infielder is "Oh for Forever" as a big leaguer with the 1921 Browns (0/11 in 4 games) and 1923 Senators/Nationals (0/3 in 2 games). Thanks to 3 career walks, Riley does manage a lifetime OBP of .176 to give him some crooked number beeps on the EKG line of big league recordkeeping. - Jim Riley will pass away on his birthday, May 25, 1969, in Seguin, Texas at the age of 74.

BCT/GB, Jim Riley! - Keep swinging in case you hit something! :atthepc



Deaths on May 25



John William "Wee Willie" Sudhoff

Wee Willie Sudhoff Pitched for Both The Old & New Browns!

Wee Willie Sudhoff passes away on May 25, 1917 in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 42. The BR/TR pitcher had a 10-year MLB career (1897-1906) in which he won 103 games, lost 135, and posted an ERA of 3.56. - Sudhoff is one of those rare players who saw service with the old 1897 National League St. Louis Browns (who became the St. Louis Perfectos in 1898 and then the St. Louis Cardinals in 1900) and also with our American League always-were-and-always-will-be-in-our-hearts St. Louis Browns for 4 seasons (1902-1905). Wee Willie's best year happened with our 1903 Browns when he went 21-15 with an ERA of 2.27. - Wee Willie Sudhoff was born on September 17, 1974 in St. Louis, Missouri.



Carl Woolworth "Carl" or "Zeke" Weilman dies on May 25, 1924 in Hamilton, Ohio at the early age of 34. Cause of death is not readily known from existing sources. The BL/TL pitcher had an 8-year, all-Browns MLB career (1912-1917, 1919-1920) in which he won 85 games, lost 95, and posted a pretty fair ERA of 2.67. - Carl Weilman was born on November 29, 1889 in Hamilton, Ohio.



Joseph Samuel "Silent Joe" Martin departs this world from Altoona, PA on May 25, 1964 at the age 0f 88 .Joe was 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 went 64 for 292 with no homers to finish his brief hour in the sun at .219. Silent Joe Martin was born on January 1, 1876 in Hollidaysburg, PA.




James Norman "Jim" Riley passes away on his birthday, May 25, 1969, in Seguin, Texas at the age of 74. (See today's "Births on May 25" for more information.)

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

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/