This Date in Browns History!

[Bill_McCurdy]

August 23rd - 2nd Time Around!

On This Date in History!



August 23, 1936: 17-Year Old Bob Feller "K"s 15 Browns In 1st Start, 4-1!

Bob Feller, The Boy Wonder from Van Meter, Iowa!

The teenager from that small town in Iowa was phenomenal today. Making his first start in the big leagues for the Cleveland Indians at home, 17-year-old Robert "Bob" Feller strikes out 15 visiting Browns. Feller's "K" total falls only one short of the American League record, but it is more than enough to propel the Indians to a 4-1 victory over St. Louis at Municipal Stadium. - In achieving his first milestone, Feller hands the Browns little more than their latest millstone, dropping St. Louis to a record of 44-76 on the year.



August 23, 1931: Grove Goes Berserk Over Lost Chance for Record Win in St. Louis!

Muffed Fly Ball Costs Lefty Grove a Shot at a Record 17 Straight Wins!

Frustration is far too mild a word. A's pitcher Lefty Grove is livid when his chance to bag a record-breaking 17th win in a row goes down the drain, 1-0, at Sportsman's Park against the St. Louis Browns in the first game of a twin bill. Substitute left fielder Jimmy Moore misjudges a routine fly ball by Ski Melillo of the Browns, turning a "shoulda' been" fly out play into a 2-out double that allows the game's lone run to score. The volatile Grove is outraged and unforgiving, but not at Moore. Grove is mad at Al Simmons, the regular left fielder, for missing the game to attend to personal business. Dick Coffman of the Browns allows just three hits to gain the Browns win, 1–0. - Grove takes out his rage on the visiting team clubhouse, destroying lockers and anything else he is able to lay his hands upon. He also rips off his uniform and tears it up. - Then, as baseball irony so often unfolds, the A's explode in the second game for a 10-0 win over the Browns behind pitcher Waite Hoyt's 6-hitter. - Grove could've used two of those runs a little earlier, but that's not the way this crazy game works. - The doubeheader split leaves the Browns at 50-69 on the year.



1922 American League Pennant Race

Standings Thru Games of Wednesday, August 23:
St. Louis (71-49, .592)
New York (70-49, .588) 0.5 GB

Results of Wednesday, August 23:
@ Boston: Browns 6 - Red Sox 3.
@ New York: Indians 4 - Yankees 1.

Game Reports/Comments for Wednesday, August 23:
SL WINS! NY LOSES! BROWNS BACK IN 1ST BY HALF GAME! For the 2nd day in a row, the Browns take the Red Sox at Fenway Park while New York falls to the Cleveland Indians in the Polo Grounds. Looks as though the Browns are finding the cool and steady hand of determination on the road at the same time that the Yankees are breaking out into beads of worry sweat at home. The two-game swing of fortunes has erased a 1.5 game lead for New York and boosted St. Louis back into 1st place in the American League by a half game. The head-to-head series in New York is now only two days away. In the meanwhile, the two clubs must finish their final games in the two series going on with Boston and Cleveland. As the old saying goes, "these games count too."

Games Scheduled for Thursday, August 24:
St. Louis @ Boston.
Cleveland @ New York.

Games Scheduled for Friday, August 25:
St. Louis @ New York (2).

Games Scheduled for Saturday, August 26:
St. Louis @ New York.



August 23, 1903: 21,400 Watch Browns Drop 2 at Home to Boston.

"Cy Young" On Way To Becoming Synonym for "Best Pitcher."

Before 21,400 in St. Louis, the Boston Pilgrims sweep the Browns by scores of 5-3 and 4-2. Boston also executes a triple play in the nitecap. "Long Tom" Hughes and Denton "Cy" Young are the winning pitchers for 1st place Boston. - At season's end, Hughes (20-7) and Young (32-11) are two of the big reasons for Boston winning the 1903 American League pennant and then going on to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first World Series of the modern era.



A Browns Record Booker

Question: What Brown runner was caught stealing most often over the course of his St. Louis American League club career?

George Sisler: He was a gunner - and a runner!

Answer: George Sisler holds that record too. Sisler was nailed attempting to steal a total of 126 times. - It was simply the price that George paid for establishing the career Browns record for successful steals on 351 other successful attempts.



Births on August 23



Sled Allen
Birth Name: Fletcher Manson Allen Bats : Right
Born On: 08-23-1886 Throws : Right
Born In: West Plains, Missouri Height : 6-01
Died On: 10-16-1959 Weight : 180
Died In: Lubbock, Texas First Game: 05-04-1910
College: None Attended Last Game: 08-05-1910
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Sled Allen was one of those Brownie short-timers with a directional nickname. After going 3 for 23 (.130 BA) with no homers for the 1910 Browns, catcher Allen's MLB career slid straight down the hill to The Land of Gone for Good. - Sled Allen was 73 when he passed away in 1959. - BCT/GB, Sled Allen!



Ed Hallinan
Birth Name: Edward S. Hallinan Bats : Right
Born On: 08-23-1888 Throws : Right
Born In: San Francisco, California Height : 5-09
Died On: 08-24-1940 Weight : 168
Died In: San Francisco, California First Game: 05-13-1911
College: Saint Mary's & Santa Clara Last Game: 08-10-1912
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Infielder Ed Hallinan hit .212 in 85 games (54 for 255) with no homers for the 1911-1912 Browns before he too slid straight down the hill to the place of MLB-Nevermore. - BCT/GB, Ed "Sled Too" Hallinan! - Ed Hallinan was 52 when he died in 1940.



Paul Meloan
Birth Name: Paul B. Meloan Bats : Right
Born On: 08-23-1888 Throws : Left
Born In: Paynesville, Missouri Height : 5-10½
Died On: 02-11-1950 Weight : 175
Died In: Taft, California First Game: 08-02-1910
College: Washington University in Saint Louis Last Game: 09-12-1911
Nickname: Molly Draft: Not Applicable

Part-time outfielder Paul Meloan had 2-year MLB career with the White Sox and Browns (1910-1911). His career BA of .253 (109 for 431). He also hit 3 HR's that all came in his finishing up year as a Brown. - Paul Meloan was 61 when he died in 1950.



Hal Schwenk
Birth Name: Harold Edward Schwenk Bats : Left
Born On: 08-23-1890 Throws : Left
Born In: Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania Height : 6-00
Died On: 09-03-1955 Weight : 185
Died In: Kansas City, Missouri First Game: 09-04-1913
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-04-1913
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Al Schwenk was another 1-game Moonlighter for the 1913 Browns. He started and won his only MLB game on September 4, 1913, pitching 11 innings, giving up 12 hits and registering a 3.27 career ERA. - Al Schwenk was 65 when he died in 1955, - BCT/GB, Al Schwenk!



Cedric Durst

Cedric Durst Saw Limited Action with the Great '22 Browns!

Birth Name: Cedric Montgomery Durst Bats : Left
Born On: 08-23-1896 Throws : Left
Born In: Austin, Texas Height : 5-11
Died On: 02-16-1971 Weight : 160
Died In: San Diego, California First Game: 05-30-1922
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-25-1930
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Cedric Durst started with the Browns, but later earned minor note as a bench outfielder for the famous 1927 Yankees, Durst broke into the big leagues with the Browns (1922-1923, 1926). Over his total MLB career (1922-1923, 1926-1930), Durst hit .244 with 15 HR's in his 1,103 official times at bat. - Cedric Durst was 74 when he died in 1971.



Nels Potter
Birth Name: Nelson Thomas Potter Bats : Left
Born On: 08-23-1911 Throws : Right
Born In: Mount Morris, Illinois Height : 5-11
Died On: 09-30-1990 Weight : 180
Died In: Mt. Morris, Illinois First Game: 04-25-1936
College: Manchester College Last Game: 09-18-1949
Nickname: Nellie Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Nels Potter went 19-7 with a 2.83 ERA for the 1944 American League Champion St. Louis Browns. In his 5+ seasons as a Brown (1943-1948), Nels won 57 and lost 48. For his 12 year career (1936, 1938-1941, 1943-1949), Potter recorded 92 wins, 97 losses, and an ERA of 3.99. - Nels Potter was 79 when he passed away in 1990.



Ken Holcombe

Ken Holcombe was 11-12 for the '51 White Sox.

Birth Name: Kenneth Edward Holcombe Bats : Right
Born On: 08-23-1918 Throws : Right
Born In: Burnsville, North Carolina Height : 5-11½
Died On: Still Living Weight : 169
Died In: Still Living First Game: 04-27-1945
College: None Attended Last Game: 05-10-1953
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Ken Holcombe went 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA for the 1952 Browns after coming to St. Louis late in the season from the White Sox. Over his 6-year big league career (1945, 1948, 1950-1953), Holcombe posted a record of 18 wins, 32 losses, and an ERA of 3.96. - On this bright morning in 2005, Ken Holcombe is still with us. - Happy 87th Birthday. Ken Holcombe!



Sherm Lollar

Sherm Lollar also got away from the Browns.

Birth Name: John Sherman Lollar Bats : Right
Born On: 08-23-1924 Throws : Right
Born In: Durham, Arkansas Height : 6-01
Died On: 09-24-1977 Weight : 185
Died In: Springfield, Missouri First Game: 04-20-1946
College: Pittsburg State Teachers College Last Game: 09-07-1963
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Catcher Sherm Lollar hit .264 with 155 HR's over the course of his total MLB career (1946-1963). Lollar was a Brown for 3 seasons (1949-1951) and he batted .261, .280. and .252 during his St. Louis AL tenure. Sherm Lollar was another good one who got away from the Browns for financial reasons and sorry trading assessments. - Sherm Lollar was 53 when he died in 1977.



Deaths on August 23



Dutch Henry
Birth Name: Frank John Henry Bats : Left
Born On: 05-12-1902 Throws : Left
Born In: Cleveland, Ohio Height : 6-01
Died On: 08-23-1968 Weight : 175
Died In: Cleveland, Ohio First Game: 09-16-1921
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-18-1930
Nickname: Dutch Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Dutch Henry broke into the big leagues with the 1921-1922 Browns, but he posted 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 recorded 27 wins, 43 losses, and a 4.39 ERA. - Dutch Henry was 66 when he passed away in 1968.



Charlie Robertson

Once was enough for immortality.

Birth Name: Charles Culbertson Robertson Bats : Left
Born On: 01-31-1896 Throws : Right
Born In: Dexter, Texas Height : 6-00
Died On: 08-23-1984 Weight : 175
Died In: Fort Worth, Texas First Game: 05-13-1919
College: Austin College Last Game: 06-18-1928
Nickname: Racehorse Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Charlie Robertson is best remembered (or only remembered) for the perfect game he pitched for the Chicago White Sox against Ty Cobb and the Detroit Tigers on April 30, 1922 at Navin Field. The White Sox won at Detroit that day by a score of 8 to 0. - It was the last perfect game pitched in the big leagues until Don Larsen of the Yankees shut down the Brooklyn Dodgers, 2-0, at Yankee Stadium in the World Series on October 8, 1956. Others have happened since Larsen's, but not in a World Series. Here's a link to the box scores of all the perfect games in modern big league history ...

http://baseball-boxscores.com/Perfect_Games/

Robertson's "perfecto" was also remarkable in the fact that it was only his 2nd start in the big leagues. - When these things are ready to happen, they do.

Charlie Robertson wasn't much of a pitcher over the course of his 8-year big league career (1919, 1922-1928). He posted a record of 49 wins, 80 losses, and ERA of 4.44, but he was destined to be remembered for his one fine day in the sun. - As a member of the 1926 Browns, Robertson was 1-2 with an ERA of 8.36. It was Charlie's only time with the St. Louis AL club. - Charlie Robertson had a long time to remember and tell again the story of his one perfect day. He was 88 when he died in 1984.

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

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=SLA

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=NYA

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

[Bill_McCurdy]

August 24th - 2nd Time Around!

On This Date in History!



August 24, 1951: Fans Manage Browns to 5-3 Win Over Philadelphia!

"I think fans should be more involved in the game." - Steve Bartman, Chicago.

In another of Bill Veeck's legendary marketing stunts, "Fans Managers' Night," the St. Louis Browns defeat the Philadelphia Athletics, 5–3, at Sportsman's Park. During the game, 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. - Getting under way, the fans vote to start Sherm Lollar behind the plate at catcher instead of Matt Batts. Lollar rewards fan adroitness by banging out 3 hits, including a homer. Hank Arft, also voted in at 1st base, knocks home 2 runs. Gus Zernial's 28th home run off Ned Garver accounts for all the A's tallies. It should be added that this was not greeted with universal support by the baseball world. When the pans for "Fans Manager Night" were 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 in the actual playing of the game. It wasn't as though the Browns were doing something off the wall - like sending a midget into the game as a batter. - No matter what you may think of him, 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.



August 24, 1950: Junior Stephens' Grand Slam Leads Boston By Browns, 6-2!

"Personally yours, Vern Stephens."

Former Browns always seem to come back to haunt the house that once was home - and no ghost shows up more often than Vern "Junior" Stephens. - He did it again today in Fenway Park against the householders of Sportsman's Park, the St. Louis Browns. Vern Stephens blasted a bottom of the 9th inning "walk-off" grand slam homer to "Boo the Browns" big time and give the Red Sox a 6–2. win. The Sox are hot and have now won nine straight. The Sox also have whipped the Browns 18 times in 19 games this year. - The sudden death loss today further deflated the Browns' season record to a hopeless 39-76 on the year. - Boo back at you, Vern! - Sorry you took the trade so personally!



1922 American League Pennant Race

Standings Thru Games of Thursday, August 24:
St. Louis (72-49, .595)
New York (71-49, .592) 0.5 GB

Results of Thursday, August 24:
@ Boston: Browns 13 - Red Sox 2.
@ New York: Yankees 7 - Indians 3.

Game Reports/Comments for Thursday, August 24:
SL & NY KEEP PACE WITH WINS. BROWNS' LEAD HOLDS AT HALF GAME. The St. Louis Browns swept the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park today by the big wave score of 13-2. The Browns blistered Boston pitching with 20 hits and 9 runs in the first two innings to stun the Red Sox from any hope of winning. Ken Williams of the Browns also extended his hitting streak to 28 games. - Today's victory was the Browns' 3rd win in a row, but there was no time for celebration. Immediately after the game, the Browns showered and headed straight for the train that would carry them to New York for their long awaited (latest) showdown with the Yankees. In the meanwhile, the Yankees kept pace by salvaging the final contest of their 3-game home set with Cleveland, drubbing the Indians, 7-3. There will be no need for scoreboard watching tomorrow at the Polo Grounds. The only two clubs in the American League pennant hunt will be facing each other in the same house - squaring off in a doubleheader start of their 4-game series battle for the top rung.

Games Scheduled for Friday, August 25:
St. Louis @ New York (2).

Games Scheduled for Saturday, August 26:
St. Louis @ New York.

Games Scheduled for Sunday, August 27:
No Games Today

Games Scheduled for Monday, August 28:
St. Louis @ New York.



August 24, 1915: Sisler Gets Win in Relief as Browns Down A's, 10-7!

George Sisler Could Do It All!

At Sportsman's Park today, the St. Louis Browns bring George Sisler in to pitch the final 5 innings in relief. Sisler surrenders only a single run, earning the win, a 10–7 victory over the Rube Bressler of the Philadelphia Athletics. - In spite of Sisler's performance, the ordinary late season dilemma for so many Browns clubs is brought to light. - Playing out the late season for the 1915 Browns club is a little like the problem of personal obesity. Even when you have a good day with food, the goal of reaching an ideal body weight still seems hopelessly far distant and impossible to reach. Case in point: the Sisler win today only pulls the Browns up to 42-72 on the year.



August 24, 1904: Mr. "Hit 'Em Where They Ain't" Tries "Hit 'Em Where They Cain't!"

Wee Willie Keeler Was Mr. "Hit 'Em Where They Ain't!"

Willie Keeler of the New York Highlanders is best remembered for his hitting philosophy of trying to hit the ball to areas of the field where the defensive players were not stationed. (Willie expressed that idea more succinctly - and with considerably more poetic flare.) At any rate, today Willie seems to have taken a possibly graduating approach, hitting two home runs against the St. Louis Browns in a 9–1 win for the Hilltoppers at Hilltop Park in New York. Both drives are inside the park. The fielders not only "ain't" there to catch the balls - but they "cain't" even retrieve them fast enough to prevent Keeler from scoring on the merits of his own swing of the bat. - Babe Ruth will later expand upon this philosophy and take it to an absolute level of certainty. The Babe paraphrastically understood. - "You can't stop me from scoring if I hit the ball where you can't even run after it - and that's over the fence."



A Browns Record Booker

Question: What player named Sisler holds the single season Browns record for most extra base hits?

Answer: George Sisler is the man with 86 extra base hits for the 1920 Browns.



Births on August 24



No Browns ever were born on August 24th.



Deaths on August 24



Ed Hallinan
Birth Name: Edward S. Hallinan Bats : Right
Born On: 08-23-1888 Throws : Right
Born In: San Francisco, California Height : 5-09
Died On: 08-24-1940 Weight : 168
Died In: San Francisco, California First Game: 05-13-1911
College: Saint Mary's & Santa Clara Last Game: 08-10-1912
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Infielder Ed Hallinan hit .212 in 85 games (54 for 255) with no homers for the 1911-1912 Browns before he too slid straight down the hill to the place of MLB-Nevermore. - BCT/GB, Ed Hallinan! - Ed Hallinan was 52 when he died in 1940.

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

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=SLA

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=NYA

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

[Bill_McCurdy]

August 25th - 2nd Time Around!

On This Date in History!



August 25, 1940: Browns & Red Sox Split! St. Louis Blasted in Nitecap!

Jimmie Foxx Hit His 3rd Grand Slam of 1940 Today!

The St. Louis Browns went all out in the first game of a twin bill with the Red Sox today at Fenway Park, defeating Boston, 7-3. I say "all out" because the Browns apparently used all the gas they had in their tank for baseball on a day in which the object was to play twice. In the 2nd game, the Browns rested by the side of the road as the Red Sox exploded for 11 runs in the 6th inning. Boston's Jimmie Foxx crushed his 3rd grand slam of the year in that fateful inning, connecting off the Browns' Emil Bildilli. The game was called after seven innings with the Sox ahead 17–3. Pleading no contest, the Browns walked quietly away to their clubhouse and made plans for supper. The Browns are now 51-72 on the year.



August 25, 1938: Browns-A's Split! McQuinn Hit Streak Stopped at 38 Games!

George McQuinn's Run at Sisler's Record Ended Today!

The St. Louis Browns and the Philadelphia Athletics spilt a doubleheader at Shibe Park today. The Browns took the opener, 8-5, but the A's came back to take the second game, 4-1. Along the way, Philadelphia pitching stopped the 34-game hitting streak of St. Louis Browns 1st baseman George McQuinn at 7 contests shy of the American League record of 41 straight games that is held by former Brown George Sisler. - Incidentally, the split adjusted the Browns' 1938 record to 40-72.



August 25, 1930: Browns Walk, But Tigers Run! Detroit Wins, 7-5!

Tommy Bridges of the Tigers Walked 12 Browns Today & Still Won!

In a game played in Detroit this afternoon, Tommy Bridges of the Tigers walks 12 members of the St. Louis Browns, but still wins. Detroit beats St. Louis, 7–5. - Too bad the Browns cannot boil all those LOBsters for dinner tonight. The loss also drops the Browns' 1930 season record to 49-77. Playing out another hopeless season schedule is getting pretty monotonous for the Brownies. Sadly, the Browns are not lacking for experience in that department.



August 25, 1929: Browns Complete Incredible 4-Game Sweep of Yankees!

"Someone in St. Louis must've wished hard upon a star!"

Pinch me. I'm dreaming. - 26 years prior to the opening of Disneyland, the Browns christen their own version of a grand amusement palace for the home fans of Sportsman's Park. After three straight home game shutouts by Browns hurlers Sam Gray, George Blaeholder, and General Crowder, the New York Yankees break their 32-inning scoreless streak with a 4th-inning home run by Babe Ruth. St. Louis still wins, 3–2, sweeping the Yankees in 4 games. - If this series in St. Louis didn't help ailing Yankees manager Miller Huggins find a quicker route to the cemetery, I'd be very surprised. - The sweep also raised the Browns' 1929 season record to 65-57.



1922 American League Pennant Race

Standings Thru Games of Friday, August 25:
St. Louis (73-50, .593)
New York (72-50, .590) 0.5 GB

Results of Friday, August 25:
@ New York: Browns 3, 5 - Yankees 1, 6.

Game Reports/Comments for Friday, August 25:
SL & NY SPLIT SOLD-OUT DH AT POLO GROUNDS! BROWNS HOLD ONTO HALF GAME LEAD! New York fans turned out in frenzied droves at the Polo Grounds today to witness a late season showdown between the two titans of the American League. By nightfall, things were exactly where they stood at dawn, minus two less games to play for each team. A twin bill split left the Browns nursing a fragile half game lead. In the first game of the doubleheader, the Browns clipped the Yankees, 3–1, behind Urban Shocker. Waite Hoyt took the loss for the Yankees, but he did stop Ken Williams' hitting streak at 28 consecutive games. Meanwhile, George Sisler kept his wn strreak alive, hitting in his 24th straight game. In the 2nd game, the Yankees jumped to a 2–0 lead on Babe Ruth's 2-run triple, then extended their cushion to 6–1 behind pitcher Joe Bush. The Browns closed the margin to 6–5, but that was as close as they came to pulling off a sweep. The two leaders meet again tomorrow at the Polo Grounds in a single game. Another packed, turn-away-the-ticketless-mob crowd is expected.

Games Scheduled for Saturday, August 26:
St. Louis @ New York.

Games Scheduled for Sunday, August 27:
No Games Today

Games Scheduled for Monday, August 28:
St. Louis @ New York.

Games Scheduled for Tuesday, August 29:
St. Louis @ Cleveland.
Washington @ New York.



August 25, 1914: A's Goose Egg Browns Twice, 9-0, 1-0!

... what the Browns got for their day's work in Philadelphia.

At Shibe Park in Philadelphia this afternoon, the home team A's score 9 runs to back Rube Bressler's shut out of the Browns in the first of two games. The talented hurler Herb Pennock then follows with a 1–0 goose-egging of the visitors from St. Louis with the silent bats. - The double loss drops the Browns to 54-61 on the year.



August 25, 1910: Browns Survive Cyclist To Defeat Philadelphia, 9-6!

... not this kind.

At St. Louis, the Athletics' Danny Murphy hits for the cycle, but it is not enough to make the difference as Philadelphia loses to the Browns, 9–6.



A Browns/Sisler Record Booker

Question: Who played the most games as a member of the St. Louis Browns?

Answer: George Sisler did. Sisler played 1,647 official games as a Brown.



Births on August 25



Fred Graf
Birth Name: Frederick Gottleib Graf Bats : Right
Born On: 08-25-1889 Throws : Right
Born In: Canton, Ohio Height : 5-10½
Died On: 10-04-1979 Weight : 164
Died In: Chattanooga, Tennessee First Game: 05-14-1913
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-18-1913
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

3rd baseman Fred Graf went 2 for 5 (.400 BA) in 4 games for the 1913 Browns. He had 1 double, 3 walks, 1 run scored, 3 RBI, and 3 strike out appearances as a batter on his way to The Land of Gone for Good. - Fred Graf lived to age 90 before he passed away in 1979.



Jim Suchecki
Birth Name: James Joseph Suchecki Bats : Right
Born On: 08-25-1926 Throws : Right
Born In: Chicago, Illinois Height : 5-11
Died On: 07-20-2000 Weight : 185
Died In: Crofton, Maryland First Game: 05-20-1950
College: None Attended Last Game: 05-01-1952
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Jim Suchecki was 0-6 with an ERA of 5.38 for three different teams from 1950 to 1952. All 6 of his losses were recorded during his 1951 season as a Brown. - Jim Suchecki was 73 when he died in 2000.



Darrell Johnson
Birth Name: Darrell Dean Johnson Bats : Right
Born On: 08-25-1928 Throws : Right
Born In: Horace, Nebraska Height : 6-01
Died On: 05-03-2004 Weight : 180
Died In: Fairfield, California First Game: 04-20-1952
College: None Attended Last Game: 06-06-1962
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Catcher Darrell Johnson (1952, 1957-1958, 1960-1962) had a 6-year MLB career in which he batted .234 with 2 HR's. Johnson broke in to the big leagues with the 1952 Browns and batted .282 (22 for 78) before he was shipped off that same season to the White Sox. - Darrell Johnson was 75 when he died in 2004.



Deaths on August 25



Red Donahue
Birth Name: Francis Rostell Donahue Bats : Right
Born On: 01-23-1873 Throws : Right
Born In: Waterbury, Connecticut Height : 6-00
Died On: 08-25-1913 Weight : 187
Died In: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania First Game: 05-06-1893
College: Villanova University Last Game: 09-28-1906
Nickname: Red Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Red Donahue was one of those rare guys who played for both the "old" Browns (the ones who renamed 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 played with the "old" Browns for parts of three seasons from 1895 to 1897. Red joined the "real" Browns in 1902 and delivered 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 looked a lot brighter than it turned 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 finished his total career (1893-1906) with a record of 165 wins, 175 losses, and an ERA of 3.61. Red was 30-18 during his two seasons (1902-1903) with the first two AL Browns clubs. - He was only 40 when he died in 1913.



Sam Zoldak

A Smiln' Sad Sam Zoldak.

Birth Name: Samuel Walter Zoldak Bats : Left
Born On: 12-08-1918 Throws : Left
Born In: Brooklyn, New York Height : 5-11½
Died On: 08-25-1966 Weight : 185
Died In: New Hyde Park, New York First Game: 05-13-1944
College: Fordham University Last Game: 08-26-1952
Nickname: Sad Sam Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Sam Zoldak 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. Sam Zoldak was 47 when he died in 1966.



Jack Crouch
Birth Name: Jack Albert Crouch Bats : Right
Born On: 10-12-1903 Throws : Right
Born In: Salisbury, North Carolina Height : 5-09
Died On: 08-25-1972 Weight : 165
Died In: Leesburg, Florida First Game: 09-18-1930
College: None Attended Last Game: 10-01-1933
Nickname: Roxy Draft: Not Applicable

Catcher Jack Crouch (what a great name for a catcher) played 3 seasons in the big leagues (1930-1931, 1933), mostly with the Browns. He played the last 10 games of his 43-game career with the Reds, finishing with a total BA of .125 and 1 HR. - Of course, we was on the road to that well known land of forgotten major leaguers, The Land of Gone for Good. - Jack Crouch was 68 when he died in 1903.

Today's Reference Links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseb...y/AUGUST25.stm

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1914&t=SLA

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=NYA

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

[Bill_McCurdy]

August 26th - 2nd Time Around!

On This Date in History!


1922 American League Pennant Race

Standings Thru Games of Saturday, August 26:
New York (73-50, .593)
St. Louis (73-51, .589) 0.5 GB

Results of Saturday, August 26:
@ New York: Yankees 9 - Browns 2.

Game Reports/Comments for Saturday, August 26:
NY ROUTS SL, 9-2! YANKEES TAKE OVER 1ST PLACE. With the full backing of Yankee bats, Carl Mays throttled the St. Louis Browns, 9-2, at the Polo Grounds today before another overflow crowd of raucous New York fans. Rasty Wright took the loss for St. Louis as the Browns surrendered 1st place in the American League by a half game. The two contenders meet again Monday in the series finale with New York now up by 2 games to 1. No game is scheduled tomorrow because of the Sunday blue laws that block baseball on the big church-going day. The Browns, of course, hope to even the score and leave town with the half game lead they brought to Gotham. - For another 48 hours, at least, that edge in the tight race is held by the Yankees. - After the game, no reporters bothered to ask Babe Ruth if he plans to celebrate tonight. Odds are off the board that the big man will be staying home to curl up in bed with a good book.

Games Scheduled for Sunday, August 27:
No Games Today

Games Scheduled for Monday, August 28:
St. Louis @ New York.

Games Scheduled for Tuesday, August 29:
St. Louis @ Cleveland.
Washington @ New York.

Games Scheduled for Wednesday, August 30:
St. Louis @ Cleveland.
Washington @ New York.



August 26, 1912: Big Train's 4-3 Loss To Browns Prompts Rules Change!

AL Prexy Ban Johnson Later Denies That This Game Led To Change in W/L Assignments.

The Browns and Senators split a doubleheader in Washington today. The Sens took the opener, 6-3, but the Browns bounced back to capture the second game, 4-3. The twin bill split, however, is not the bigger story. That one concerns Walter Johnson and the current American League rules for assigning losses to pitchers. It is highlighted by the effect of these rules on shutting down a run of personal accomplishment by the man they call "The Big Train." - Going into Game Two, Walter Johnson owns a 16-game winning streak, but it ends under AL rules in place today. In the nitecap (or late afternoon cap, if you please) Johnsom relieves Tom Hughes with one out and two Browns on base in the 7th inning of a 2–2 game. The two runners score on a Pete Compton single up the middle and the Nationals lose, 4–3. - Under the rules in place, the two runs are charged to Johnson, not Hughes, giving him the defeat. Under the 1912 National League rules, Johnson would not have been charged with the loss. In the senior circuit, the runners who scored would have been charged to the man who put them on base, Tom Hughes. As is the case in 2005, Hughes would have been assigned the loss. - After the season, American League president Ban Johnson will change the AL rules to conform with the senior circuit, but he will deny he does it because of this game. - As a powerful authority figure in big league baseball, why does American League president Ban Johnson later deny the obvious truth? - ... Why do birds fly?



A Browns Record Booker

Question: What Brown holds the club record for grounding into the fewest double plays in a single season?

Answer: George McQuinn is the man. The 1st baseman set this record during the Browns' 1944 American League championship season. In the 146 games he played that year, McQuinn grounded into only 1 double play.



Births on August 26



Gene Moore
Birth Name: Eugene Moore, Jr. Bats : Left
Born On: 08-26-1909 Throws : Left
Born In: Lancaster, Texas Height : 5-11
Died On: 03-12-1978 Weight : 175
Died In: Jackson, Mississippi First Game: 09-19-1931
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-30-1945
Nickname: Rowdy Draft: Not Applicable

Outfielder Gene Moore had a 14-year MLB career (1931, 1933-1945), one that produced a total BA of .270 with 58 HR's. Moore was a twilight Brown, arriving in time to hit .238 for the 1944 American League championship club. He finished with the 1945 Browns by hitting .260. His claim to franchise fame occurred in Game One of the 1944 World Series. On October 4, 1944, Gene Moore plated the first run ever scored by the Browns in the Fall Classic. Moore had singled off Cardinal pitcher Walker Cooper and was on base when George McQuinn followed with a homer. That shot was enough to give the Browns a 2-1 victory and a short leash on hope. The Cardinals, of course, went on to defeat the Browns in the 1944 City Series, 4 games to 2. - Gene Moore was 68 when he passed away in 1978.



Hank Helf
Birth Name: Henry Hartz Helf Bats : Right
Born On: 08-26-1913 Throws : Right
Born In: Austin, Texas Height : 6-01
Died On: 10-27-1984 Weight : 196
Died In: Austin, Texas First Game: 05-05-1938
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-29-1946
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Hank Helf had a great minor league reputation as a better than average defensive catcher. Unfortunately, he couldn't hit major league pitching. After getting only 1 hit in 7 games with the Indians in 1938 and 1940, Helf returned to the big leagues to play 71 games for the 1946 Browns as his only complete season at baseball's top level. - Helf never played again in the big leagues, finishing with a career BA of .184 and 6 HR's. Hank Helf was 71 when he died in 1984.



Billy DeMars



Birth Name: William Lester DeMars Bats : Right
Born On: 08-26-1925 Throws : Right
Born In: Brooklyn, New York Height : 5-10
Died On: Still Living Weight : 160
Died In: Still Living First Game: 05-18-1948
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-28-1951
Nickname: Billy or Kid Draft: Not Applicable

Infielder Billy DeMars had a short big league career (1948, 1951-1951) with the Athletics and Browns. He played his final two big league seasons as a Brown, finishing with a career BA of .237 and 0 homers in 211 total official trips to the plate. - In 2005, Billy DeMars is still with us. - Happy 80th Birthday, Billy DeMars!



Deaths on August 26



Bill Trotter
Birth Name: William Felix Trotter Bats : Right
Born On: 08-10-1908 Throws : Right
Born In: Cisne, Illinois Height : 6-02
Died On: 08-26-1984 Weight : 195
Died In: Arlington, Massachusetts First Game: 04-23-1937
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-22-1944
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Bill Trotter posted a career record of 22 wins, 34 losses, and a 5.40 ERA over the course of his entire big league career (1937-1942, 1944). As a Brown for most of that time (1937-1942), Trotter had a record of 19-32. - Bill Trotter was 76 at the time of his 1984 death.

Today's Reference Links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseb...y/AUGUST26.stm

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=SLA

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=NYA

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

Have a Great Weekend, Everybody! :atthepc

[Bill_McCurdy]

August 27th - 2nd Time Around!

On This Date in History!



August 27, 1948: Majeski of the A's Has Magical Day Against Browns!

Hank Majeski's 6 Doubles Pace A's over Browns, 6-0, 9-1.

Hank Majeski of the Philadelphia Athletics caught some magic at Shibe Park today. Majeski cranked out six doubles in a doubleheader against the St. Louis Browns, pacing the A's to wins of 6–0 and 9–1. Hank is only the 3rd American League player to collect six extra base hits in one day, and just the 2nd MLB player to turn the trick in two regulation length games. In another one of those baseball calendar oddities, Hal McRae of the Kansas City Royals will become the next AL player to perform this feat, and he will do it on this same date - August 27, 1974.



1922 American League Pennant Race

Standings Thru Games of Saturday, August 26:
New York (73-50, .593)
St. Louis (73-51, .589) 0.5 GB

Results of Sunday, August 27:
No Games Today.

Game Reports/Comments for Sunday, August 27:
Idle Sunday in New York. With nothing happening at the Polo Grounds today, we may only imagine how the Browns and Yankees spent this Sunday in New York. Now down 2 games to 1 in the series, and trailing the Yankees by a half game in the standings, what is the mind set of the Browns players as they go through a Sunday off, away from home, with no chance to do anything about the pennant race for another 24 hours? - Had they won yesterday, a Sunday in New York, with nothing else to do but rest or pursue the pleasures of the big city, could've been a welcome recess. Trouble is - the Yankees blasted the Browns, 9-2, on Saturday. That outcome, and the schedule, have left the Browns with 48 hours to feel the sting of defeat. That doesn't feel good. - Wouldn't it be great if we could time travel to the lobby of the Browns' New York hotel this Sunday and just eavesdrop?

Games Scheduled for Monday, August 28:
St. Louis @ New York.

Games Scheduled for Tuesday, August 29:
St. Louis @ Cleveland.
Washington @ New York.

Games Scheduled for Wednesday, August 30:
St. Louis @ Cleveland.
Washington @ New York.

Games Scheduled for Thursday, August 31:
St. Louis @ Cleveland.
Washington @ New York.



A Browns Record Booker

Question: Who is the Browns' career "walking man?"

Harlond Clift (170) also was 2nd only to Ken Williams (185) in career Browns HR's.

Answer: Harlond Clift gets the call here. The old 3rd baseman/slugger drew 986 bases on balls from opposing pitchers who were mostly being careful.



Births on August 27



Carl East
Birth Name: Carlton William East Bats : Left
Born On: 08-27-1894 Throws : Right
Born In: Marietta, Georgia Height : 6-02
Died On: 01-15-1953 Weight : 178
Died In: Whitesburg, Georgia First Game: 08-24-1915
College: None Attended Last Game: 05-03-1924
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Carl East is another qualified candidate for The Moonlight Graham Society. East 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. - Carl East was 58 when his soul sailed west into the sunset back in 1951. - BCT/GB, Carl East! - Not taking anything away from "Field of Dreams," but we hear the real older you looked a lot more like Burt Lancaster than Moonlight Graham actually did.



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.



Deaths on August 27



Frank Truesdale
Birth Name: Frank Day Truesdale Bats : Both
Born On: 03-31-1884 Throws : Right
Born In: St. Louis, Missouri Height : 5-08
Died On: 08-27-1943 Weight : 145
Died In: Albuquerque, New Mexico First Game: 04-27-1910
College: None Attended Last Game: 07-30-1918
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

2nd baseman Frank Tuesdale batted .219 in his only full season (123 games) with the 1910 Browns. He also played one game and had one fruitless time at bat with the 1911 Browns - on his way to being gone forever from St. Louis baseball. Truedale later played 77 games for the 1914 Yankees and 14 games for the 1918 Red Sox before taking his lifetime BA of .220 and riding away to anonymity. Frank hit one home run during his first year with the Browns. It was his only big league round-tripper for all-time. - Frank Truesdale was 59 when he died in 1943.



Charlie (not Sheen) Shields

"1879? - Are we talkin' about your birth year - or your pitch count?"

Birth Name: Charles Jessamine Shields Bats : Left
Born On: 12-10-1879 Throws : Left
Born In: Jackson, Tennessee Height : Unknown
Died On: 08-27-1953 Weight : Unknown
Died In: Memphis, Tennessee First Game: 04-23-1902
College: None Attended Last Game: 06-10-1907
Nickname: Wild Thing Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Charlie Shields was 3-0 with an ERA of 3.30 for the 1902 Browns after joining the club that same rookie season from the Baltimore Orioles, where he was 4-11 with a 4.24 ERA. Shields came back to go 0-2 for the 1907 Cardinals as the conclusion of his 2-season gap-riddled MLB career. Overall, his record was 7-13, 4.27. - Charlie Shields was 73 when he died in 1953. As far as we know, Shields was not related to actor Charlie Sheen of the "Major League" movie character, "Wild Thing" fame. - Please forgive me too for my loose minded association of these two men. In the demographics for Charlie Shields, I couldn't resist loaning him the "Wild Thing" nickname of Charlie Sheen. In reality, Shields had no reported moniker.



Claude Jonnard
Birth Name: Claude Alfred Jonnard Bats : Right
Born On: 11-23-1897 Throws : Right
Born In: Nashville, Tennessee Height : 6-01
Died On: 08-27-1959 Weight : 165
Died In: Nashville, Tennessee First Game: 10-01-1921
College: None Attended Last Game: 07-11-1929
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Claude Jonnard had a 6-season big league career (1921-1924, 1916, 1929) which included an 0-2 record for thw 1926 Browns. - Jonnard's career mark was 14 1ins, 12 losses, and an ERA of 3.79. - Claude Jonnard was 61 when he died in 1959.



Alex Remneas
Birth Name: Alexander Norman Remneas Bats : Right
Born On: 02-21-1886 Throws : Right
Born In: Minneapolis, Minnesota Height : 6-01
Died On: 08-27-1975 Weight : 180
Died In: Phoenix, Arizona First Game: 04-15-1912
College: None Attended Last Game: 04-20-1915
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Alex Remneas worked 1.2 innings for the 1912 Tigers and 6.0 innings for the 1915 Browns, posting no record and an ERA of 7.05. After these two flickering performances, Remneas became a remnant fiber of the game, falling fast from the cloak of baseball history - and onto the well-trampled floors of The Land of Gone for Good! - Unlike his experience in the big leagues, however, Alex Remneas hung around for a long time in the game of life. He was 89 when he died in 1975. - That being said, we must add a geat big BCT/GB, Alex Remneas! - You got there, man!



Bill Mizeur
Birth Name: William Francis Mizeur Bats : Left
Born On: 06-22-1897 Throws : Right
Born In: Nokomis, Illinois Height : 6-00
Died On: 08-27-1976 Weight : 180
Died In: Decatur, Illinois First Game: 09-30-1923
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-13-1924
Nickname: Bad Bill Draft: Not Applicable

Bill Mizeur will go 0 for 1 in each of the 1923 and 1924 Browns seasons as his total MLB career experience. Since he never played on defense, we assume that he was used twice as a pinch hitter as the sum of his MLB career. That "0h fer 2" career mark is enough to earn him an applicable nickname, card in The Moonlight Graham Society, and and a fast lane trip to The Land of Gone For Good. - Bill Mizeur was 79 when he died in 1976. - BCT/GB, Bill Mizeur! In light of your actual big league playing experience, we may only hope and pray that you, "Bad Bill," beat the odds and made it through the Pearly Gates on your one and only try.



Sig Gryska
Birth Name: Sigmund Stanley Gryska
Nickname: None
Born On: 11-04-1914
Born In: Chicago, Illinois
Zodiac: Scorpio
Died On: 08-27-1994
Died In: Hines, Illinois
Cemetery: Resurrection Cemetery, Justice, Illinois
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 5-11½
Weight: 173
First Game: 09-28-1938
Last Game: 10-01-1939
Draft: Not Applicable

Shorstop Sig Gryska had a short, but pretty hot career in 25 games for the 1938-1939 Browns, batting .329 (23 for 70) with no homers, Like so many others, he was then gone for good. - Sig Gryska was 79 when he passed away in 1994. - BCT/GB, Sig Gryska!


Today's Reference Links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseb...y/AUGUST27.stm

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=SLA

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=NYA

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

Non-Baseball Note: For those of you who read this earlier message: "This post is in progress, but it is now interrupted by a plumbing problem in real time. Some days it's hard being an historian under the siege of reality's unrelenting, and sometimes overflowing, hand," I want to report an update. - I was able to fix the problem of the stopped up sink. Now I get to vacuum suck the carpet area that was effected by the overflow. - Houses are like ships. They are contantly trying to sink.

At any rate, we're done here for another day! Hope your Saturday does more than suck! :atthepc

[Bill_McCurdy]

August 28th - 2nd Time Around!

On This Date in History!



1922 American League Pennant Race

Standings Thru Games of Monday, August 28:
New York (74-50, .597)
St. Louis (73-52, .584) 1.5 GB

Results of Monday, August 28:
@ New York: Yankees 2 - Browns 1 (11 innings).

Game Reports/Comments for Monday, August 28:
NY EDGES SL, 2-1! YANKEES TAKE SERIES, 3-1! BROWNS CRY FOUL! The New York Yankees increased their lead to 1.5 games at the Polo Grounds today by beating the St. Louis Browns, 2–1, in 11 innings. The winning run scored on Bob Meusel's sacrifice fly. Hank Severeid homered earlier for the Browns' only score. Of course, it wouldn't have been a big game without an officiating controversy. Eddie Foster of the Browns cracked an apparent double off the left field wall that would've given St. Louis a 3-1 lead in the top of the 10th. Much to their chagrine, and in spite of colorfully expressed protestation by the Browns, the blow by Foster was ruled a foul ball by umpire Moriarity, keeping the game knotted at 1-1 - and setting the stage for Meusel's heroics in the the 11th. New York took the series, 3 games to 1, and now the Browns are challenged to brush it off and re-group. St. Louis came to Gotham with a half game lead. They exit town, down by a game and a half. - The boys will just have to put that bitter taste of New York behind them and focus their attention upon matters they can do something about. Well, I suppose they've already started. The Browns boarded their Sunday night train for Cleveland without fail. They will take on the Indians in a 3-game series there, starting tomorrow, while the Yankees stay home to do a similar set with the Washington Senators.

Games Scheduled for Tuesday, August 29:
St. Louis @ Cleveland.
Washington @ New York.

Games Scheduled for Wednesday, August 30:
St. Louis @ Cleveland.
Washington @ New York.

Games Scheduled for Thursday, August 31:
St. Louis @ Cleveland.
Washington @ New York.

Games Scheduled for Friday, September 1:
St. Louis @ Detroit.
New York: Day off for travel to Philadelphia.



August 28, 1903: Browns & Blues Survive Train Wreck!


(The above photo is not a picture of the actual derailment described below. It was simply the best photo I could find
on a short time leash. It's doubtful anyone would have been playing ball on the day after this pictured baby. :atthepc )

After playing a single game against each other two days ago in Ohio, the Cleveland Blues and St. Louis Browns players boarded a train for St. Louis to begin a six game series against each other on the Missouri club's home turf. Those plans were put in jeopardy when their train derailed today near Napoleon, Ohio. Fortunately, no one suffered serious injury and the trip was resumed. The Cleveland @ St. Louis series will begin tomorrow as planned.



A Browns Record Booker

Question: What Browns pitcher established the club record for most strikeouts in a single game?

Rube Did It!

Answer: That would be the great Rube Waddell. - Rube did it twice in the same season, in fact. On July 29, 1908, Waddell struck out a Browns record 16 batters in a 5-4 Browns home win over the Philadeplhia Athletics. He later broke that record by striking out 17 Washington Senators in another Browns home win by 2-1 on September 20, 1908.



Births on August 28



Byron Houck
Birth Name: Byron Simon Houck Bats : Right
Born On: 08-28-1891 Throws : Right
Born In: Prosper, Minnesota Height : 6-00
Died On: 06-17-1969 Weight : 175
Died In: Santa Cruz, California First Game: 05-15-1912
College: University of Oregon Last Game: 08-27-1918
Nickname: Duke Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Byron "Duke" Houck had a 4-year big league career (1912-1914, 1918) in which he won 26, lost 24, and registered an ERA of 3.30. In his only season with the 1918 Browns, Houck won 2, lost 4, and posted a 2.39 ERA. - Duke Houck was 77 when he died in 1969.



Deaths on August 28



Earl Pruess
Birth Name: Earl Henry Pruess Bats : Right
Born On: 04-02-1895 Throws : Right
Born In: Chicago, Illinois Height : 5-10½
Died On: 08-28-1979 Weight : 170
Died In: Branson, Missouri First Game: 09-15-1920
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-15-1920
Nickname: Gibby Draft: Not Applicable

Right fielder Earl Preuss is another member of the Brownie chapter of the unofficial "Moonlight Graham Society." "Gibby", as Preuss was sometimes called, played in only one game as a right fielder for the Browns on September 15, 1920. Based on his one batting opportunity, Pruess either got hurt early, or else, he became a late inning replacement. He drew a walk in his his only MLB time at bat, but, alas, he did not come around to score. - After this one singularly golden day in his baseball life, Earl "Gibby" Preuss joined the ranks of those long-forgotten-til-now Brownies-Gone-For-Good. - Earl Preuss was 84 when he died in 1979. - BCT/GB, Earl Preuss! - Maybe you should've tried stealing 2nd base back on September 15, 1920. - Had you known it was going to be your only time on base in the big leagues, who knows, you may have gone for it.



Al Zarilla
Birth Name: Allen Lee Zarilla Bats : Left
Born On: 05-01-1919 Throws : Right
Born In: Los Angeles, California Height : 5-11
Died On: 08-28-1996 Weight : 180
Died In: Honolulu, Hawaii First Game: 06-30-1943
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-26-1953
Nickname: Zeke Draft: Not Applicable

Outfielder Al Zarilla played for 10 years in the big leagues (1943-1944, 1946-1953), hitting for a career BA of .276 with 61 homers. Zarilla was a Brown for his first 5 seasons. 15 games deep into the 1949 season, Zarilla was dealt to the Red Sox early in 1949 , but he later returned to play another 48 games for the Browns in transit to a 2nd term with Boston that same year. Al Zarilla was 77 when he died in 1996.

Today's Reference Links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseb...y/AUGUST27.stm

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=SLA

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=NYA

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

[Bill_McCurdy]

August 29th - 2nd Time Around!

On This Date in History!



August 29, 1951: Mantle Leads Yankees To Rout of Browns, 15-2!

The Commerce Comet Lights Up St. Louis!

The New York Yankees loaded their attack on the back of rookie Mickey Mantle as they clobbered the St. Louis Browns at Sportsman's Park today by a count of 15-2. Mickey Mantle had 4 RBIs in the game, with the icing on the cake coming as a 3-run homer in the top of the 9th off the legendary Satchel Paige. Starter Ned Garver (15-9) took the loss for the Browns.



August 29, 1927: Yankees Take 18th Win of 1927 Over Browns, 8-3!


"How do we solve this murder, my dear Watson? - Given the roster of the '27 Browns, I haven't a clue!"

At Sportsman's Park today, the New York Yankees continued their 1927 whitewash of the Browns by winning their 18th game of the season against the boys from St. Louis. With 4 games left on the schedule for play between the Browns and the club they are now calling Murderer's Row, the Yankees of Ruth & Co. have a shot at sweeping the entire 22-game season series between the two teams.



1922 American League Pennant Race

Standings Thru Games of Tuesday, August 29:
New York (75-50, .600)
St. Louis (74-52, .587) 1.5 GB

Results of Tuesday, August 29:
@ Cleveland: Browns 6 - Indians 3.
@ New York: Yankees 3 - Senators 1.

Game Reports/Comments for Tuesday, August 29:
NY, SL KEEP PACE WITH WINS! YANKEES HOLD 1.5 GAME LEAD! The Browns survived the fatigue of an overnight train ride to Cleveland on the heels of a disappointing weekend in New York by pounding the Indians this afternoon, 6-3. Meanwhile, the Yankees defeated the Washington Senators, 3-1, at the Polo Grounds for their 4th win a row. The matching wins by the two contenders allow
the Yankees to maintain their one and one-half game lead over the Browns in the American League. - The pennant race goes on.

Games Scheduled for Wednesday, August 30:
St. Louis @ Cleveland.
Washington @ New York.

Games Scheduled for Thursday, August 31:
St. Louis @ Cleveland.
Washington @ New York.

Games Scheduled for Friday, September 1:
St. Louis @ Detroit.
New York: Day off for travel to Philadelphia.

Games Scheduled for Saturday, September 2:
St. Louis @ Detroit.
New York @ Philadelphia (2).



August 16, 1916: What Are The Odds? Blind Brown Squirrel Finds Choice Nut!


"NUTS! - I was hoping for a Baby Ruth bar!"

They did it twice today at Fenway Park. In the 1st game of a twin bill, they even did it against Babe Ruth! - The St. Louis Browns topped the Boston Red Sox, 5–3, in the opener, even with Babe Ruth pitching five innings of relief before leaving the game with the sacks full of Browns. Ruth also fanned with the bases loaded to blow the biggest Boston chance for a comeback win. On top of thier 1st game success, the Browns took the 2nd game by 8-2 to sweep the DH and raise their 1916 record to 68-57. - OK, I'll concede this much. - With a record of 68-57, the 1916 Browns aren't exactly "blind squirrels" in the near term. - Viewed within the context of their entire history, however, one could make the argument that any winning season by the St. Louis Browns was close to qualifying as a "blind squirrel" experience.



August 29, 1915: Sisler Wins Pitching Duel With The Big Train, 2-1!

George Sisler: Stopped from Becoming a Great Pitcher by His Own Bat!

For the second day in a row at Sportsman's Park, the St. Louis Browns took the Washington Senators by the identical score of 2-1. Today it's George Sisler of the Browns outpitching Walter Johnson of the Senators. Sisler will be 4–4 for the Browns in 1915 and 1–2 in 1916 before shifting permanently to 1st base because of his gotta-have-it-in-the-lineup-everyday bat. - Sisler is helped in the top of the 8th inning when Brownie 2nd baseman Del Pratt nabs pinch runner Horace Milan (in Milan's MLB debut) with a hidden ball trick. Horace Milan is the brother of teammate Clyde "Deerfoot" Milan.



A Browns Record Booker

Question: In what season did the Browns field their highest club slugging average?

Answer: 1922. - In that legendary season, the Browns posted a team slugging average of .455.



Births on August 29



Joe Schultz
Birth Name: Joseph Charles Schultz, Jr. Bats : Left
Born On: 08-29-1918 Throws : Right
Born In: Chicago, Illinois Height : 5-11
Died On: 01-10-1996 Weight : 184
Died In: St. Louis, Missouri First Game: 09-27-1939
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-23-1948
Nickname: Dode Draft: Not Applicable

Catcher Joe Schultz played in the big leagues from 1939 to 1948. His Browns career spanned from 1943 to 1948. Used sparingly, Joe was 77 when he died in 1996.



Al Naples
Birth Name: Aloysius Francis Naples Bats : Right
Born On: 08-29-1927 Throws : Right
Born In: St. George, New York Height : 5-09
Died On: Still Living Weight : 168
Died In: Still Living First Game: 06-25-1949
College: Georgetown University Last Game: 06-26-1949
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Shortstop Al Naples had a 24-hour MLB career. He played in 2 games from June 25th to June 26th in 1949 for the Browns, going 1 for 7 (.143) - and collecting one strikeout to go with his lone single. - By June 27th, Al Naples was gone for good from the big leagues. - BCT/GB, Al Naples! Happy Birthday #78 to You!



Deaths on August 29



Through 2005, No Browns Have Ever Died on August 29th.

Today's Reference Links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseb...y/AUGUST29.stm

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=SLA

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=NYA

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

[Bill_McCurdy]

August 30th - 2nd Time Around!

On This Date in History!



1922 American League Pennant Race

Standings Thru Games of Wednesday, August 30:
New York (76-50, .603)
St. Louis (75-52, .591) 1.5 GB

Results of Wednesday, August 30:
@ Cleveland: Browns 11 - Indians 3.
@ New York: Yankees 5 - Senators 4.

Game Reports/Comments for Wednesday, August 30:
NY WINS 5th STRAIGHT, BUT LOSES RUTH TO SUSPENSION! SL KEEPS PACE! Babe Ruth's 1st inning home run at the Polo Grounds turned out to be the difference-maker for the Yankees today as they held on to hold off the Washington Senators, 5-4. It was Ruth's 28th HR of the year, but it was his last good news of the day. In his next time at bat following the homer, Ruth is ejected for arguing a called 3rd strike. We don't know what Ruth told the ump, but it must have been really offensive to the home plate arbiter because this 5th ejection of the season also is extended to include a 3-game suspension. - To the west in Cleveland, the Browns clobbered the Indians, 11-3, to keep pace and remain 1.5 games behind the red hot Yankees. With 27 games left to play on the Browns' schedule, it is imperative that the boys from St. Louis fight hard to prevent falling further back of New York.

Games Scheduled for Thursday, August 31:
St. Louis @ Cleveland.
Washington @ New York.

Games Scheduled for Friday, September 1:
St. Louis @ Detroit.
New York: Day off for travel to Philadelphia.

Games Scheduled for Saturday, September 2:
St. Louis @ Detroit.
New York @ Philadelphia (2).

Games Scheduled for Sunday, September 3:
St. Louis @ Detroit.
New York: Day off for travel home.



August 30, 1916: Dutch Leonard No-Hits Browns in 4-0 Red Sox Win!

Dutch Leonard Had The Baseball Gods On His Side Today!

Today's game was another of those "reversals of fortune stories." In his last start against the St. Louis Browns, Boston Red Sox pitcher Hubert "Dutch" Leonard lasted only one-third of inning. Today Leonad turned it around big-time. In a single game at Fenway Park, Leonard painted a masterpiece, throwing a no-hitter against the Browns that sailed the Beantowners to a 4-0 victory. Old Dutch was in total command most of the way. No Browns batters even reached 1st base until catcher Hank Severeid drew a walk with two outs in the top of the 8th. The Red Sox win halted 1st place Boston's losing streak of four games. - The Browns loss dropped their season record to 68-58.



A Browns Record Booker

Question: How was the offensive production of the 8 starters for the 1922 Browns?

Answer: Judge for yourself. Here are the 8 main starters, along with their batting averages (BA), home runs (HR), and runs batted in (RBI) totals:

Catcher - Hank Severeid (.321 BA, 3 HR, 78 RBI)
1st Base - George Sisler (.420 BA, 8 HR, 105 RBI)
2nd Base - Marty McManus (.312 BA, 11 HR, 109 RBI)
3rd Base - Frank Ellerbe (.246 BA, 1 HR, 33 RBI)
Shortstop - Wally Gerber (.267 BA, 1 HR, 51 RBI)
Left Field - Ken Williams (.332 BA, 39 HR, 155 RBI )
Center Field - Baby Doll Jacobson (.317 BA, 9 HR, 102 RBI)
Right Field - Jack Tobin (.331 BA, 13 HR, 66 RBI)

Bold type above indicates league leadership in that category.



Births on August 30



Charlie Starr
Birth Name: Charles Watkin Starr Bats : Unknown
Born On: 08-30-1878 Throws : Right
Born In: Pike County, Ohio Height : 5-10½
Died On: 10-18-1937 Weight : 165
Died In: Pasadena, California First Game: 04-29-1905
College: None Attended Last Game: 08-19-1909
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Infielder Charlie Starr enjoyed a 110-game MLB career (1905, 1908-1909), batting .211 with 0 HR's. - As a member of the 1905 Browns, Starr batted .206 (20 for 97). - Charlie Starr was 59 when he died in 1937.



Wib Smith
Birth Name: Wilbur Floyd Smith Bats : Left
Born On: 08-30-1886 Throws : Right
Born In: Evart, Michigan Height : 5-10½
Died On: 11-18-1959 Weight : 165
Died In: Fargo, North Dakota First Game: 05-31-1909
College: Albion College Last Game: 09-29-1909
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Catcher/1st baseman Wib Smith batted .190 (8 for 42) with 0 homers in 17 games for the 1909 Browns - and that was the it for his big league career before his departure to The Land of Gone For Good. - Wib Smith was 73 when he passed away in 1959. - BCT/GB, Wib Smith!



Bing Miller

Bing Miller: Another good bat that got away from the Browns.

Birth Name: Edmund John Miller Bats : Right
Born On: 08-30-1894 Throws : Right
Born In: Vinton, Iowa Height : 6-00
Died On: 05-07-1966 Weight : 185
Died In: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania First Game: 04-16-1921
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-05-1936
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Outfielder Bing Miller hit .311 with 116 HR's during his 16-year (1921-1936) MLB career. In his 2 seasons with the Browns (1926-1927), Miller batted .331 and .325. - Bing was a banger with his bat, but, as per usual, he slipped through the Browns' fingers all too quickly. - Bing Miller was 71 when he died in 1966.



Red Embree
Birth Name: Charles Willard Embree Bats : Right
Born On: 08-30-1917 Throws : Right
Born In: El Monte, California Height : 6-00
Died On: 09-24-1996 Weight : 165
Died In: Eugene, Oregon First Game: 09-10-1941
College: None Attended Last Game: 10-02-1949
Nickname: Red Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Red Embree finished his 8-year big league career (1941-1042, 1944-1949) as a member of the Browns. - Embree went 3-13, 5.37 with the 1949 Browns. His career record was 31-48, 3.72. - Red Embree was 79 when he died in 1996.



Gordon Goldsberry
Birth Name: Gordon Frederick Goldsberry Bats : Left
Born On: 08-30-1927 Throws : Left
Born In: Sacramento, California Height : 6-00
Died On: 02-23-1996 Weight : 170
Died In: Laguna Hills, California First Game: 04-20-1949
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-27-1952
Nickname: Goldie Draft: Not Applicable

1st baseman Gordon Golsberry had a .241 BA with 7 homers to show for his 4-year MLB career (1949-1952). Goldie was a member of the Chicago White Sox during his first three seasons, but he tapped out as a Brown in 1952 with a .229 BA and 0 homers in 227 times at bat. - Goldie Goldsberry was 69 when he died in 1996.



Deaths on August 30



Frank Demaree
Birth Name: Joseph Franklin Dimaria Bats : Right
Born On: 06-10-1910 Throws : Right
Born In: Winters, California Height : 5-11½
Died On: 08-30-1958 Weight : 185
Died In: Los Angeles, California First Game: 07-22-1932
College: Saint Mary's College of California Last Game: 06-13-1944
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Outfielder Frank Demaree had a 12-year MLB career (1932-1933, 1935-1944) in which he batted a fine .299 with 72 HR's. He played 16 games in his final season as his only appearance for the American League champion 1944 Browns and went 13 for 51 (.255 BA). - Frank Demaree was 48 when he died in 1958.



Stew Bolen
Birth Name: Stewart O'Neal Bolen Bats : Left
Born On: 10-12-1902 Throws : Left
Born In: Jackson, Alabama Height : 5-11
Died On: 08-30-1969 Weight : 180
Died In: Mobile, Alabama First Game: 04-15-1926
College: None Attended Last Game: 05-16-1932
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Stew Bolen had 4-year MLB career with the 1926-1927 Browns and the 1931-1932 Phillies. - Stew's record with the Browns was 0 and 1 in limited service. His career record (mostly with the Phillies) included 3 wins, 13 losses, and an ERA of 6.09. - Stew Bolen was 66 when he passed away in 1969.

Today's Reference Links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseb...y/AUGUST30.stm

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=SLA

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=NYA

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

[Bill_McCurdy]

August 31st - 2nd Time Around!

On This Date in History!



August 31, 1948: New York Holds Off Browns for 10-9 Win at Yankee Stadium!

"Old Reliable" Tommy Henrich Leads NY Past St. Louis!

At Yankee Stadium today, New York scored 4 runs in the bottom of the 8th, but the Browns rallied for 5 in the 9th off reliever Joe Page to make it close. In the end, the universe uprighted itself and New York prevailed, 10–9. 1st baseman Tommy Henrich had a home run and an unassisted double play to help Allie Reynolds secure the win. As a result of their win, the Yankees remained a game behind the Boston Red Sox in the pennant race. Oblivious to anything resembling pennant possibilities, the Browns fell to 47-74 on the year.



August 31, 1946: Sewell Out, Taylor In as Manager of the Browns!

Manager Luke Sewell Quits!

With the Browns mired in 7th place at 53-72 on the year, Luke Sewell resigned today as manager of the St. Louis Browns. As a result, Zack Taylor was named as the interim manager of the Browns for the balance of the 1946 season. Luke Sewell had been the manager of the Browns since 1942. In 1944, he led the St. Louis club to the only American League pennant in their history. The Browns then fell to 3rd place in 1945 and they are currently on course to finishing next to last in 1946. Through no fault of Sewell, St. Louis is again overwhelmed by the superior talent of the other clubs returning from World War II service. - Luke had enough of losing - and that's a condition that needs to overtake the Browns.



1922 American League Pennant Race

Standings Thru Games of Thursday, August 31:
New York (77-50, .606)
St. Louis (75-53, .586) 2.5 GB

Results of Thursday, August 31:
@ Cleveland: Indians 7 - Browns 6.
@ New York: Yankees 3 - Senators 1.

Game Reports/Comments for Thursday, August 31:
NY WINS 6TH STRAIGHT! SL FALLS! YANKEE LEAD UP TO 2.5 GAMES! The Yankee juggernaut is in high gear. With their 3-1 win over the Washington Senators at the Polo Grounds today, New York extended their league lead to two and one half games over St. Louis as the Browns fell in Cleveland to the Indians, 7-6. - Is this recent trend the beginning of the end for the Browns' pennant hopes? - New York hasn't lost since their opener in the recent Browns series on August 25th. Since then, the Yankees have rallied by whacking the Browns for three in a row - and then blanking the Senators in a three-game set. In that same span, the Browns have won 2 and lost 4, going from 1.5 up to 2.5 down. - Stay tuned.

Games Scheduled for Friday, September 1:
St. Louis @ Detroit.
New York: Day off for travel to Philadelphia.

Games Scheduled for Saturday, September 2:
St. Louis @ Detroit.
New York @ Philadelphia (2).

Games Scheduled for Sunday, September 3:
St. Louis @ Detroit.
New York: Day off for travel home.

Games Scheduled for Monday, September 4:
Cleveland @ St. Louis (2).
New York: No Game Today.



August 31, 1916: Browns Nip Ruth & Red Sox at Fenway, 2-1!

Fielder Jones: Field Manager of the 1916 Browns.

At Fenway Park today, the St. Louis Browns defeated the Boston Red Sox and Babe Ruth, 2–1. Ruth collected 2 hits and scored the lone Boston run, but he also popped out to end the game. - In spite of their loss, the Red Sox are on their way to winning the 1916 American League pennant. The Browns? St. Louis is now 69-58 under manager Fielder Jones and on its way to a 5th place finish.



August 31, 1909: Wonder How This Little Change Will Effect Baseball?

Cork Has Many Potential Future Uses.

The A.J. Reach Company is granted a patent for its cork-centered baseball. The new Reach product will replace the hard rubber-cored baseball currently in use. This change will be particularly apparent in the National League during the 1910-1911 seasons.



A Browns Record Booker

Question: In what year did the Browns pitching staff record the club record for the highest number of complete games pitched over the course of a single season?

Answer: It happened long ago and far away from the culture of the pitch count. In fact, it happened in the 3rd year of St. Louis Browns history. - In 1904, the Browns pitching staff registered a total of 135 complete games. Since the Browns only played 152 games (65-87) in 1904 on their way to a 6th place finish, the St. Louis complete game percentage totalled out an amazing 88.8% in 1904.



Births on August 31



Eddie Plank

"Gettysburg Eddie" Plank.

Birth Name: Edward Stewart Plank Bats : Left
Born On: 08-31-1875 Throws : Left
Born In: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Height : 5-11½
Died On: 02-24-1926 Weight : 175
Died In: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania First Game: 05-13-1901
College: Pennsylvania College Last Game: 08-06-1917
Nickname: Gettysburg Eddie Draft: Not Applicable

Great Hall of Fame pitcher Eddie Plank finished his long career with the 1916-1917 Browns, going 21 and 21 on the W/L ledger. Overall, Eddie Plank's 326 victories rank him 11th all-time. He also recorded more shutouts and complete games than any other left-hander in big league history. Among lefties, Plank's win total ranks third all-time behind Warren Spahn and Steve Carlton. A finesse pitcher with a good sidearm sweeping curveball, Plank never played baseball before prep school. He joined the Philadelphia Athletics after graduating from Gettysburg College in 1901. He pitched in the majors for 17 seasons (1901-1917), winning 20 games eight times - and helping the A's to six pennants in the new American League. In the Browns' case, the club was simply blessed to catch the last burning embers of this magnificent shooting star, but we'll take what we could get. - Eddie Plank was only 50 when he died in 1926.



Syd Smith
Birth Name: Sydney E. Smith Bats : Right
Born On: 08-31-1883 Throws : Right
Born In: Smithville, South Carolina Height : 5-10
Died On: 06-05-1961 Weight : 190
Died In: Orangeburg, South Carolina First Game: 04-14-1908
College: South Carolina College Last Game: 04-18-1915
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Utility man Syd Smith played as a catcher for the 1908 Browns, hitting .184 in limited action. Over his 5-year MLB career (1908, 1910-1911, 1914-1915), Syd Smith batted .247 with 2 HR's in 397 times at bat. - Syd Smith was 77 when he died in 1961.



Jack Burns
Birth Name: John Irving Burns Bats : Left
Born On: 08-31-1907 Throws : Left
Born In: Cambridge, Massachusetts Height : 5-10½
Died On: 04-18-1975 Weight : 175
Died In: Brighton, Massachusetts First Game: 09-17-1930
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-27-1936
Nickname: Slug Draft: Not Applicable

1st baseman Jack Burns enjoyed a 7-year MLB career (1930-1936) and almost all of it was spent as a Brown. After playing his entire career with the Browns, he was dealt to Detroit after the club was only 9 games deep into he 1936 season. He finished his MLB career with 138 games played as a member of the 1936 Tigers. For his entier career, Jack Burns hit a respectable .280 with 44 homers. - Jack Burns was 67 when he died in 1975.



Deaths on August 31



John Daley
Birth Name: John Francis Daley Bats : Right
Born On: 05-25-1887 Throws : Right
Born In: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Height : 5-07½
Died On: 08-31-1988 Weight : 155
Died In: Mansfield, Ohio First Game: 07-19-1912
College: St. John's College Last Game: 08-20-1912
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Shortstop John Daley went 9 for 52 (.173 BA) with 1 HR in 18 games for the 1912 Browns as his total MLB career. - What he lacked in longevity in the big leagues, he made up for it on the clock that spins planet Earth. - John Daley was 101 years old when he died in 1988. - BCT/GB, John Daley!

Today's Reference Links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseb...y/AUGUST31.stm

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=SLA

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=NYA

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

[Bill_McCurdy]

September 1st - 2nd Time Around!

On This Date in History!



1922 American League Pennant Race

Standings Thru Games of Friday, September 1:
New York (77-50, .606)
St. Louis (76-53, .589) 2 GB

Results of Friday, September 1:
@ Detroit: Browns 4 - Tigers 1.
@ New York: Yankees had the day off.

Game Reports/Comments for Friday, September 1:
SL WINS; IDLE NY LEAD FALLS TO 2 GAMES! While the Yankees took the day off for travel to Philadelphia and a doubleheader against the A's tomorrow, the Browns already had railed into Detroit from Cleveland last night in time to knock of the Tigers this aftenoon, 4-1. - The St. Louis win reduces the lead of idle New York to 2 games.

Games Scheduled for Saturday, September 2:
St. Louis @ Detroit.
New York @ Philadelphia (2).

Games Scheduled for Sunday, September 3:
St. Louis @ Detroit.
New York: Day off for travel home.

Games Scheduled for Monday, September 4:
Cleveland @ St. Louis (2).
New York: No Game Today.

Games Scheduled for Tuesday, September 5:
Cleveland @ St. Louis.
Boston @ New York (2).



September 1, 1918: Browns & Tigers in Makeshift End of 1918 Season.

"Now pitching for the Detroit Tigers ... Ty Cobb!"

When the baseball season is suddenly shortened about a month shy of its scheduled run due to America entering World War II, the Cleveland Indians still are booked to make a trip to St. Louis to play a meaningless last game against the Browns. The Indians refuse to make the trip and the Browns face an apparent cancellation. The receipts from a final game are saved when the Browns' previous foe, the visiting Detroit Tigers, agrees to stay in town and substitute for the Indians in a last moment Labor Day doubleheader. The Browns and Tigers proceed to finish the season with a twin bill split. In Game 2, Ty Cobb pitches two innings against the Browns while the Browns' George Sisler pitches one scoreless inning against Detroit. Sisler also hits a double off the estimable Mr. Cobb. - Detroit wins the opener, 7-5. St. Louis wins the second game, 6-2. - The Browns thus finish the abbreviated 1918 season with a 58-64 record and a 5th place finish in the American League.

NOTES: (1.) Baseball Library (dot) Com reports the score in Game One as 7-2, Detroit. I'm electing to go with Baseball Almanac (dot) Com, who reports the score as 7-5, Detroit. Why? Because in 100% of all previous factual discrepancies I've encountered between these two resources, Almanac has been the site that had it right. (2.) Can you imagine MLB 2005 allowing clubs to make up the ending of their own season as the Browns and Tigers did back in 1918?



A Browns Record Booker

Our Venerable Old Venue.

Question: What is the record year for total home runs by the Browns and their opponents at Sportsman's Park?

Answer: 146 HR's is the answer - and it happened in 1925.



Births on September 1



Chuck Rose
Birth Name: Charles Alfred Rose Bats : Left
Born On: 09-01-1885 Throws : Left
Born In: Macon, Missouri Height : 5-08½
Died On: 08-04-1961 Weight : 158
Died In: Salina, Kansas First Game: 09-13-1909
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-29-1909
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

A rose may be a rose may be a rose, but Chuck Rose was never a Pete. - Chuck Rose had 0 hits in only 7 times at bat as a pitcher in 3 games for the 1909 Browns. He posted a 1-2 record and a 5.40 ERA over that brief MLB stint and was then, of course, gone for good! - BCT/GB, Chuck Rose! - At least you never had to worry about being banned from the Hall of Fame! - Chuck Rose was 75 at the time of his 1961 death.



Hub Pruett
Birth Name: Hubert Shelby Pruett Bats : Left
Born On: 09-01-1900 Throws : Left
Born In: Malden, Missouri Height : 5-10½
Died On: 01-28-1982 Weight : 165
Died In: Ladue, Missouri First Game: 04-26-1922
College: University of Missouri Last Game: 09-20-1932
Nickname: Shucks Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Hub was 14-18 with the 1922-1924 Browns. Over his career (1922-1932), the University of Missouri graduate who went on from baseball to become a doctor posted a record of 29 wins, 48 losses, and an ERA of 4.63. Pruett is best remembered for his ability to retire Babe Ruth. In spite of his mediocre showing against the rest of the league, Ruth found Pruett to be almost unhittable. Pruett struck out Ruth 10 times in their first 13 times to face each other in 1922 - and, in the 30 times he faced Ruther over his career, Pruett struck him out 15 times. - Go figure. - Pruett's lesser known nickname was "Shucks." -You might guess that it came from something Babe Ruth said aloud after again fanning at the hands of Pruett, but I doubt it. Left to Ruth, under those circumstances, Pruett's nickname might more probably begin with one of the less printable "S" words.



Deaths on September 1



Mike Meola
Birth Name: Emile Michael Meola Bats : Right
Born On: 10-19-1905 Throws : Right
Born In: New York, New York Height : 5-11
Died On: 09-01-1976 Weight : 175
Died In: Fair Lawn, New Jersey First Game: 04-24-1933
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-16-1936
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Mike Meola had a 42 innings, 2-year MLB career (1933-1936) with the Red Sox and Browns. Meola's record for the 1936 Browns was 0-1, 9.36 and his career mark was 0-3, 8.16. - Mike Meola 70 when he died in 1976.

Today's Reference Links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseb...SEPTEMBER1.stm

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=SLA

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=NYA

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

[Bill_McCurdy]

September 2nd - 2nd Time Around!

On This Date in History!



September 2, 1951: Tribe's Back-To-Back-To-Back Breaks Browns' Back in 1st!


Harry Simpson, Al Rosen, & Luke Easter Go Long in 1st at Home!

Cleveland's Harry Simpson, Al Rosen and Luke Easter all hit consecutive home runs in the bottom of the 1st inning at Municipal Stadium today as the Indians quickly punched out the visiting St. Louis Browns, 5–1. - The loss dropped the Browns' season record to 39-88 as our boys play out the final games of another losing year. - The only remaining point of interest for Browns fans evolves around Ned Garver. - Will the gritty little righthander from Ney, Ohio win 20 games for a last place club? - Stay tuned.



September 2, 1935: Coffman Shoves Hornsby; Punches Own Ticket to Palookaville!

"What we have here is ... failure to communicate!"
Strother Martin, "Cool Hand Luke" (1967).

Nerves fray as the Browns bumble to another bad year and growing spite for manager Rogers Hornsby. Veteran pitcher Dick Coffman (5-11) and Hornsby get into a shoving match shortly after their train leaves St. Louis for a long road trip. Coffman is cut from the team and put off the train at Edwardsville, Illinois. He will not play again in 1935.



1922 American League Pennant Race

Standings Thru Games of Saturday, September 2:
New York (78-51, .605)
St. Louis (77-53, .592) 1.5 GB

Results of Saturday, September 2:
@ Detroit: Browns 5 - Tigers 4.
@ Philadelphia: Yankees 11, 0 - Philadelphia 6, 6.*

* NOTE: Baseball Library (dot) Com reports the score of Game 2 as 4-0, A's, but I'm going with Baseball Almanac (dot) Com's report that the score here was 6-0, A's.

Game Reports/Comments for Saturday, September 2:
SL WINS AT DETROIT! NY SPLITS AT PHILLY! YANKEE LEAD DOWN TO 1.5! The New York Yankees stretched their winning streak to 7 straight in the 1st game of their twin bill at Philadelphia by downing the A's, 11-6. Cantankerous Carl Mays won his American League record 23rd straight game over the Athletics, but the Mackman did manage to get him our of the game for the first time during his personal streak. Mays left the opening game with one out in the 6th and the Yankees winning, 7–2. Game Two saw the A's stop the Yankees behind righthander Bob Hasty, 6-0. - The New York split allowed the St. Louis Browns to pick up a half game on the leaders by edging the Tigers at Detroit, 5-4. Lefty Hub Pruett allowed 3 hits in 4 innings to win in relief for the Browns. George Sisler also hit safely in his 30th consecutive game. - The Browns play again at Detroit tomorrow, but the Yankees go idle again due to the schedule. After taking yesterday off for train travel to Philadelphia for today's doubleheader, the Yankees now take 2 days off to go back to New York and await their next series at the Polo Grounds with the Red Sox.

Games Scheduled for Sunday, September 3:
St. Louis @ Detroit.
New York: Day off for travel home.

Games Scheduled for Monday, September 4:
Cleveland @ St. Louis (2).
New York: No Game Today.

Games Scheduled for Tuesday, September 5:
Cleveland @ St. Louis.
Boston @ New York (2).

Games Scheduled for Wednesday, September 6:
Cleveland @ St. Louis.
Boston @ New York.



A Browns Record Booker

Question: What is the Browns single season record for most grand slam HR's in a single year?

Answer: 5! - The Browns first hit 5 team grand slams in 1922. They repeated the 5-spot on the most glamorous offensive play again in 1940 and 1950.



Births on September 2

"He's definitely not a Brown! - No Browns were ever born on September 2nd!"



Deaths on September 2



Bert Blue
Birth Name: Bird Wayne Blue Bats : Right
Born On: 12-09-1877 Throws : Right
Born In: Bettsville, Ohio Height : 6-03
Died On: 09-02-1929 Weight : 200
Died In: Detroit, Michigan First Game: 06-15-1908
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-04-1908
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Catcher Bert Blue had a 17-game big league careers with the Browns (11) and A's (6) in 1908 - and was then gone-for-good, in spite of a .286 BA (12 for 42) that included a double and 2 triples. - Ben Blue was 51 when he died in 1929. - BCT/GB, Ben Blue!



Jim Wilson
Birth Name: James Alger Wilson Bats : Right
Born On: 02-20-1922 Throws : Right
Born In: San Diego, California Height : 6-01½
Died On: 09-02-1986 Weight : 200
Died In: Newport Beach, California First Game: 04-18-1945
College: San Diego State College Last Game: 09-14-1958
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Jim Wilson pitched only 2.2 innings for the 1948 Browns, achieving no record and registering an ERA of 13.53. Wilson had a 12-year MLB career (1945-1946, 1948-1949, 1951-1958) and finished with a record of 86 wins, 89 losses, and an ERA of 4.01. - Jim WIlson was 64 when he died in 1986.

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

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=SLA

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=NYA

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

[Bill_McCurdy]

September 3rd - 2nd Time Around!

On This Date in History!



September 3, 1952: Littlefield in Hard Luck Loss To Chicago, 1-0!

Dick Littlefield Loses 2-Hit Effort as Browns Offense Goes (Stays) Silent.

Dick Littlefield came over to the Browns from the Detroit Tigers in a multi-player trade on August 14th. Today Littlefield pitched brilliantly at Comiskey Park, but he still couldn't win. The White Sox took the game, 1-0, in spite of being held to only 2 hits by the former Tiger. (Unfortunately, immediately available history sources fail to credit the White Sox pitcher who shutout the Browns. That would've been a noteworthy factual addition to this story, had the information been readily published.) - The Browns loss today drops their 1952 season record to 55-79.



1944 American League Pennant Race

Today we will pick up the 1944 American League pennant race with a month to go. Please be patient with me if keeping up with all this data sometimes delays the completion of the whole post until later in the day. I just can't pass on the opportunity to skeletally highlight both of the great pennant races in the history of the St. Louis Browns on a daily, almost-as-though-we-are-there basis.

Standings Thru Games of Sunday, September 3:
St. Louis (72-58, .554)
New York (72-59, .550) 0.5 GB
Detroit (69-59, .539) 2.0 GB

Results of Sunday, September 3:
@ St. Louis: Browns 4 - Tigers 1.
@ New York: Yankees 6, 11 - Senators 5, 3.

Game Reports/Comments for Sunday, September 3:
SL HOLDS OFF HUNGRY TIGERS - AND KEEPS EYE ON CHARGING YANKEES! After losing 13 of 17 games, dropping 4 in a row, and losing the first 3 games in this series at Detroit, the Browns turn back the Tigers today behind Handsome Jack Kramer. Still they lose ground. The Yankees pull within a half game of the league leading Browns with a twin bill sweep at home - as the salivating Tigers fall to 2 games back. With a month to go in the 1944 season, any of these three clubs has a chance.

Games Scheduled for Monday, September 4:
Cleveland @ St. Louis (2).
Philadelphia @ New York (2).
Detroit @ Chicago (2).

Games Scheduled for Tuesday, September 5:
St. Louis: No Game Today.
New York: No Game Today.
Detroit @ Chicago.

Games Scheduled for Wednesday, September 6:
St. Louis: No Game Today.
New York: No Game Today.
Detroit @ Chicago.

Games Scheduled for Thursday, September 7:
St. Louis @ Chicago.
New York: No Game Today.
Cleveland @ Detroit.



1922 American League Pennant Race

Standings Thru Games of Sunday, September 3:
New York (78-51, .605)
St. Louis (77-54, .588) 2 GB

Results of Sunday, September 3:
@ Detroit: Tigers 4 - Browns 3.
New York: No Game Today.

Game Reports/Comments for Sunday, September 3:
IDLE NY ADDS 1/2 GAME TO LEAD AS SL FALLS IN DETROIT, 4-3! While the Yankees take their own sweet time returning to New York from Philadelphia, the Browns lose ground today by slipping to the Tigers at Detroit, 4-3. The St. Louis loss boosts the idle New York lead to 2 full games. St. Louis is now 3 games down in the loss column to New York. - The Browns hardly will thank the schedule-maker here either. - Note this contrast: The Yankees today are in the first day of a 2-day break from a twin bill at Philadelphia. New York doesn't swing back into action until the day after tomorrow - when the Red Sox come to town. - The Browns, on the other hand, are forced to rush to the train depot in Detroit immediately after their loss to the Tigers. - The Browns have to be back in St. Louis late tonight so that they may grab some rest before they begin a new series with the Cleveland Indians tomorrow afternoon!


Games Scheduled for Monday, September 4:
Cleveland @ St. Louis (2).
New York: No Game Today.

Games Scheduled for Tuesday, September 5:
Cleveland @ St. Louis.
Boston @ New York (2).

Games Scheduled for Wednesday, September 6:
Cleveland @ St. Louis.
Boston @ New York.

Games Scheduled for Thursday, September 7:
St. Louis: No Game Today.
New York: No Game Today.



A Browns Record Booker

Question: What Brown named Sisler holds the record for career total bases?

Answer: The prolific and amazingly versatile George Sisler holds this record too with 3,207 career total bases garnered as a Brown.



Births on September 3



Mike Kahoe
Birth Name: Michael Joseph Kahoe Bats : Right
Born On: 09-03-1873 Throws : Right
Born In: Yellow Springs, Ohio Height : 6-00
Died On: 05-14-1949 Weight : 185
Died In: Akron, Ohio First Game: 09-22-1895
College: None Attended Last Game: 08-12-1909
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Catcher/utility guy Mike Kahoe had a choppy-season, 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 75 when he died in 1949.



George Stone
Birth Name: George Robert Stone Bats : Left
Born On: 09-03-1877 Throws : Left
Born In: Lost Nation, Iowa Height : 5-09
Died On: 01-03-1945 Weight : 175
Died In: Clinton, Iowa First Game: 04-20-1903
College: None Attended Last Game: 10-09-1910
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Outfielder George Stone was a very productive hitter for the early 1905 to 1910 Browns, finishing with a career average of .301 and 23 HR's for his 808-game career. The totals included 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 67 when died in 1945.



Lefty West
Birth Name: Weldon Edison West Bats : Right
Born On: 09-03-1915 Throws : Left
Born In: Gibsonville, North Carolina Height : 6-00
Died On: 07-23-1979 Weight : 165
Died In: Hendersonville, North Carolina First Game: 04-30-1944
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-15-1945
Nickname: Lefty Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Lefty West was 3-4 with a 4.29 ERA in 25 games for the 1944-1945 Browns. The two seasons were his only MLB experience prior to his departure into the The Land of Gone for Good. - Lefty West was nearly age 64 at the time of his death. - BCT/GB, Lefty West!



Deaths on September 3



Hal Schwenk
Birth Name: Harold Edward Schwenk Bats : Left
Born On: 08-23-1890 Throws : Left
Born In: Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania Height : 6-00
Died On: 09-03-1955 Weight : 185
Died In: Kansas City, Missouri First Game: 09-04-1913
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-04-1913
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

On September 4, 1913, Lefty Hal Schwenk pitched an 11 inning, complete game, 5-4, victory at Sportsman's Park for the St. Louis Browns over the Chicago White Sox. Schwenk gave up 4 runs on 12 scattered hits and 4 walks, also striking out 3 and getting the win, of course. Hal Schwenk never pitched another game for the Browns - or any other big league team. His statistics for the game of September 4th are also his career mark: 1 win, 0 losses, and an ERA of 3.27. - Hal Schwenk was 65 when he died in 1955. - BCT/GB, Hal Schwenk! - Your one day in the sum is well worthy the memory!



Armando Marsans
Birth Name: Armando Marsans Bats : Right
Born On: 10-03-1887 Throws : Right
Born In: Matanzas, Cuba Height : 5-10
Died On: 09-03-1960 Weight : 157
Died In: Havana, Cuba First Game: 07-04-1911
College: None Attended Last Game: 07-13-1918
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Infielder/outfielder Aremando Marsansa native of Cuba, had an 8-year MLB career (1911-1918), batting .269 with 2 HR's in 655 games played. Marsans hit .254 in 150 games for the 1916 Browns and .230 in 75 games for the 1916 Browns before being dealt to the Yankees. - Armando Marsans was 72 when he died in 1960.



Irv Medlinger
Birth Name: Irving John Medlinger Bats : Left
Born On: 06-18-1927 Throws : Left
Born In: Chicago, Illinois Height : 5-11
Died On: 09-03-1975 Weight : 185
Died In: Wheeling, Illinois First Game: 04-20-1949
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-28-1951
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Irv Medlinger worked 9 games and 13.2 innings for the 1949 and 1951 Browns without gaining a win or a loss. His 13.84 career ERA is the only big skidmark he leaves on the record books in his hurried burst away to the Land of Gone For Good. - Irv Medlinger was 48 when he died in 1975.

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

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1952&t=SLA

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=NYA

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

Have a safe Labor Day weekend, everybody - and please do what you can to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina!

[Bill_McCurdy]

September 4th - 2nd Time Around!

On This Date in History!




1944 American League Pennant Race

Standings Thru Games of Monday, September 4:
New York (74-59, .556)
St. Louis (73-59, .553) 0.5 GB
Detroit (70-60, .538) 2.5 GB

Results of Monday, September 4:
@ St. Louis: Indians 6, 1 - Browns 4, 5.
@ New York: Yankees 10, 14 - Athletics 0, 0.
@ Chicago: Tigers 12, 3 - White Sox 2, 6.

Game Reports/Comments for Monday, September 4:
NY WIPES OUT PHILLY IN 2 TO TAKE OVER 1ST BY HALF GAME! New York poured it on the home town A's by 10-0 & 14-0 to take over 1st place in the 1944 pennant race. 2nd place St. Louis fell to that spot by splitting a Labor Day DH at Sportsman's Park with the Indians, 4-6 & 5-1. 3rd place Detroit split a twin bill at Chicago, 12-2 & 3-6 to hang tight in this three dog fight.

Games Scheduled for Tuesday, September 5:
St. Louis: No Game Today.
New York: No Game Today.
Detroit @ Chicago.

Games Scheduled for Wednesday, September 6:
St. Louis: No Game Today.
New York: No Game Today.
Detroit @ Chicago.

Games Scheduled for Thursday, September 7:
St. Louis @ Chicago.
New York: No Game Today.
Cleveland @ Detroit.

Games Scheduled for Friday, September 8:
St. Louis @ Chicago.
New York @ Boston.
Detroit: No Game Today.



1922 American League Pennant Race

Standings Thru Games of Monday, September 4:
New York (78-51, .605)
St. Louis (79-54, .594) 1.0 GB

Results of Monday, September 4:
@ St. Louis: Browns 10, 12 - Indians 3, 1.
New York: No Game Today.*

*NOTE: Baseball Library (dot) Com does show the Yankees entertaining the Red Sox in a doubleheader today, but Baseball Almanac (dot) Com shows this twin bill as being played tomorrow, September 5. - Again I've elected to go with the Almanac call on this one. Results of the [email protected] DH will be reported tomorrow.

Game Reports/Comments for Monday, September 4:
SL WINS TWIN BILL, PICKS UP GAME ON IDLE NY; CUTS NY LEAD TO 1 GAME! Fresh off the train from a long road trip, the Browns win decisively today, beating the Indians, 10–3 and 13–2. Urban Shocker wins his 23rd in the morning game and Ken Williams hits his 33rd. George Sisler is 4-for-4 in the opener and 3-for-5 in game two to run his hitting streak to 34 straight games. Elam Vangilder is the winner in the nitecap.

Games Scheduled for Tuesday, September 5:
Cleveland @ St. Louis.
Boston @ New York (2).

Games Scheduled for Wednesday, September 6:
Cleveland @ St. Louis.
Boston @ New York.

Games Scheduled for Thursday, September 7:
St. Louis: No Game Today.
New York: No Game Today.

Games Scheduled for Friday, September 8:
Detroit @ St. Louis.
Washington @ New York.



September 4, 1920: Browns-White Sox Split Pair at Comiskey!

Eddie Collins Leads Pale Hose To Win in Nitecap!

Eddie Collins has two hits in the nitecap for the home team White Sox against the Browns, as the locals win, 5–2, and gain a twin bill split. Collins has now hit safely in every game he's played since August 21. Eddie will ring up a 22-game hitting streak through September 13. - The Browns took the opener at Comiskey Park, 6-5. - At the end of the day, the Browns record for the 1920 season was 64-60.



September 4, 1917: White Sox Use Big Inning to Blast Browns, 13-6!

Red Faber Favored with Late Run Support!

The rampaging Chicago White Sox use an 8-run 8th inning to beat the St. Louis Browns, 13–6, at Sportsman's Park today. Red Faber is the winner over Browns reliever Tom Rogers.



A Browns Record Booker

Question: Which Browns club hit into the fewest double plays in one season?

The '44 Browns Avoided DP's Like The Plague!

Answer: The 1944 American League champion Browns hold that honor. The AL pennant winners hit into only 93 double plays.



Births on September 4



Red Corriden
Birth Name: John Michael Corriden Bats : Right
Born On: 09-04-1887 Throws : Right
Born In: Logansport, Indiana Height : 5-09
Died On: 09-28-1959 Weight : 165
Died In: Indianapolis, Indiana First Game: 09-08-1910
College: None Attended Last Game: 05-15-1915
Nickname: Red Draft: Not Applicable

Utility man Red Corriden had a 5-year (1910, 1912-1914) career, batting .205 with 6 homers. In his one year with the 1910 Browns, Corriden hit .155 with 1 HR in 84 times at bat. - Red Corriden was 72 when he died in 1959.



Tilly Walker
Birth Name: Clarence William Walker Bats : Right
Born On: 09-04-1887 Throws : Right
Born In: Telford, Tennessee Height : 5-11
Died On: 09-20-1959 Weight : 165
Died In: Unicoi, Tennessee First Game: 04-12-1911
College: Washington College Last Game: 10-06-1923
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Outfielder Tilly Walker had a 13-year (1911-1923) career. He batted .281 with 188 homers over the course. Tilly had 3 good years with the Browns from 1913 to 1915, batting .284, .298. and .269. - Tilly Walker was 72 when he died in 1959.



Leo Dixon
Birth Name: Leo Moses Dixon Bats : Right
Born On: 09-04-1894 Throws : Right
Born In: Chicago, Illinois Height : 5-11
Died On: 04-11-1984 Weight : 170
Died In: Chicago, Illinois First Game: 04-14-1925
College: None Attended Last Game: 08-17-1929
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Catcher Lwo Dixon spent 4 years in the majors (1925-1927, 1929), playing his first 3 seasons as a Brown. He missed 1928, but came back to play 14 games for the 1929 Reds as the final wrap on his career. - Dixon had a career BA of .206 with 1 HR in 427 official times at bat. - Leo Dixon had a much more successful run against the clock of life. He was 90 when he finally passed away in 1984.



Deaths on September 4



Ward Miller
Birth Name: Ward Taylor Miller Bats : Left
Born On: 07-05-1884 Throws : Right
Born In: Mount Carroll, Illinois Height : 5-11
Died On: 09-04-1958 Weight : 177
Died In: Dixon, Illinois First Game: 04-14-1909
College: Northern Illinois University Last Game: 07-15-1917
Nickname: Grump Draft: Not Applicable

Outfielder Ward Miller played for 8 years in the big leagues (1909-1910, 1912-1917), hitting .278 with 8 HR's. "Grump" concluded his MLB career as a Brown, hitting .266 in 146 games in 1916 and .207 in 43 games in 1917. - Grump Miller was 74 when he died in 1958.



Clyde Manion
Birth Name: Clyde Jennings Manion Bats : Right
Born On: 10-30-1896 Throws : Right
Born In: Big River, Missouri Height : 5-11
Died On: 09-04-1967 Weight : 175
Died In: Detroit, Michigan First Game: 05-05-1920
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-30-1934
Nickname: Pete Draft: Not Applicable

Catcher Clyde Manion played 13 seasons in the big leagues (1920-1930, 1932-1934), batting .218 with 3 HR's. Manion played 3 years for the Browns (1928-1930), hitting .226, .243, .216. - Clyde Manion was 70 when he died in 1967.



Joe Hassler
Birth Name: Joseph Frederick Hassler Bats : Right
Born On: 04-07-1905 Throws : Right
Born In: Fort Smith, Arkansas Height : 6-00
Died On: 09-04-1971 Weight : 165
Died In: Duncan, Oklahoma First Game: 05-26-1928
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-16-1930
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Shortstop Joe Hassler hit .239 (11 for 46) in his brief 37-game MLB career (1928-1930). Hassler was 2 for 8 in 3 games for the 1930 Browns and, almost inevitably, he thereafter was gone-for-good. - Joe Hassler left this old world for good at the age of 56 in 1971. BCT/GB, Joe Hassler! - Thanks for stopping by Brownsville on your way to eternity!




Babe Dahlgren
Birth Name: Ellsworth Tenney Dahlgren Bats : Right
Born On: 06-15-1912 Throws : Right
Born In: San Francisco, California Height : 6-00
Died On: 09-04-1996 Weight : 190
Died In: Arcadia, California First Game: 04-16-1935
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-03-1946
Nickname: Babe Draft: Not Applicable

Babe Dahlgren will be remembered as the man who Yankee manager Joe McCarthy sent into the lineup as a replacement at 1st base for the great Lou Gehrig when the latter was finally too ill to continue his incredible streak of consecutive games. The BR/TR 1st sacker, of course, will be no qualitative substitute for Gehrig, but he has a nice average career, anyway. During his 12 seasons in the big leagues (1925-1946), Dahlgren will hit .261 and bang 82 HR's. His Brownie time is limited to 2 games for the 1942 club and 28 games for the 1946 bunch. As a Brown, he produces pretty much of nothing, but he does finish his career as one of of our guys. Arthur Richman, our official No. 1 Browns fan, and one of the great historians of this franchise, has described Babe Dahlgren as one of the nicest guys one could ever hope to meet. (I guess that may be one reason he finishes as a Brown. Remember what Durocher said about nice guys?) - Babe Dahlgren will pass away at age 84 in 1996, leaving the world a little less nicer than it was the day before he came.

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

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1944&t=DET

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1944&t=SLA

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1944&t=NYA

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

[Bill_McCurdy]

September 5th - 2nd Time Around!

On This Date in History!



September 5, 1935: NOTE: Baseball Library (dot) Com reports the following:

"Trailing the St. Louis Browns, 5–1, Lefty Grove is lifted for pinch-hitter Wes Ferrell who hits an RBI single as Red Sox score six runs in the 6th inning enroute to 9-5 win. Grove is winning pitcher."

In checking the date on this referenced game with Baseball Almanac (dot) Com, I find that this game actually was played on 9/15/1935. The Browns did not play anyone on 9/05/1935.



1944 American League Pennant Race

Standings Thru Games of Tuesday, September 5:
New York (74-59, .556)
St. Louis (73-59, .553) 0.5 GB
Detroit (71-60, .542) 2.0 GB

Results of Tuesday, September 5:
St. Louis: No Game Today.
New York: No Game Today.
@ Chicago: Tigers 6 - White Sox 0.

Game Reports/Comments for Tuesday, September 5: DETROIT GAINS ON IDLE ST. LOUIS & NEW YORK. By shutting out the White SOx, 6-0, the 3rd place Tigers picked up a half game on the idle 1st place Yankees and 2nd place Browns.

Games Scheduled for Wednesday, September 6:
St. Louis: No Game Today.
New York: No Game Today.
Detroit @ Chicago.

Games Scheduled for Thursday, September 7:
St. Louis @ Chicago.
New York: No Game Today.
Cleveland @ Detroit.

Games Scheduled for Friday, September 8:
St. Louis @ Chicago.
New York @ Boston.
Detroit: No Game Today.

Games Scheduled for Saturday, September 9:
St. Louis @ Chicago.
New York @ Boston.
Cleveland @ Detroit.



1922 American League Pennant Race

Standings Thru Games of Tuesday, September 5:
St. Louis (80-54, .597)
New York (78-53, .595) 0.5 GB

Results of Tuesday, September 5:
@ St. Louis: Browns 10 - Indians 9.
@ New York: Red Sox 4, 6 - Yankees 3, 5.

Game Reports/Comments for Tuesday, September 5:
SL RECAPTURES 1ST PLACE WITH WIN & DOUBLE NY LOSS! The St. Louis Browns regained 1st place today by beating the Cleveland Indians, 10–9. Urban Shocker picked up his 23rd win of the year - with this one coming in relief. Slugger Ken Williams made the cause of winning possible when he belted his 34th home run, a grand slam. - Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox took two at the Polo Grounds, knocking the Yankees off their perch by scores of 4–3 and 6–5. Babe Ruth also swatted his last regular season home run in the Polo Grounds. He got it off Boston's Herb Pennock, who also gave up Ruth's first Yankee homer at the Polo Grounds.

Games Scheduled for Wednesday, September 6:
Cleveland @ St. Louis.
Boston @ New York.

Games Scheduled for Thursday, September 7:
St. Louis: No Game Today.
New York: No Game Today.

Games Scheduled for Friday, September 8:
Detroit @ St. Louis.
Washington @ New York.

Games Scheduled for Saturday, September 9:
Detroit @ St. Louis.
Washington @ New York.



September 5, 1921: Tribe Halts Shocker Win Streak at 9! Clubs Split DH!

Urban Shocker loses 10-5! Browns Take 2nd game, 12-8!

St. Louis Browns pitcher Urban Shocker took his first loss after winning nine in a row. The Indians' Elmer Smith cracked two home runs to pace a 10–5 Cleveland win in a morning game. Guy Morton got the pitching win for the Tribe in the opener. - In the afternoon game, a 12–8 St. Louis win, Smith started with another extra base hit. Having hit one in Detroit the day before, Smith had seven straight extra base hits in three games - an MLB record - for 22 total bases (3 doubles, 4 home runs, and 2 two walks). In 1926, Earl Sheehy will register seven extra base hits in two straight games - also an MLB record - but he will sandwich those safeties around a sacrifice fly.



September 5, 1915: Tigers Beat Sisler - Take Two From Browns!

Nobody's perfect!

It wasn't a very good day for the St. Louis Browns, but let's not linger long on redundancies. In the first game of a doubleheader versus the Detroit Tigers, the Browns' George Sisler pitched 9 innings and gave up 6 runs on his way to a 6–5 Browns loss. In consolation, Sisler homered once in his own failed behalf. - The Browns also dropped the second game at Sportsman's Park, 4-2, as their season record slipped to 50-78.



A Browns Record Booker

Question: In what season did the Browns score their fewest runs as a team?

Answer: It happened in 1909 when the Browns scored only 441 runs in 150 games. - That averages out to 2.7 runs per game.



Births on September 5



Lefty Leifield



Birth Name: Albert Peter Leifield Bats : Left
Born On: 09-05-1883 Throws : Left
Born In: Trenton, Illinois Height : 6-01
Died On: 10-10-1970 Weight : 165
Died In: Alexandria, Virginia First Game: 09-03-1905
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-24-1920
Nickname: Lefty Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Lefty Leifield is best remembered as a stellar hurler for the Pirates during the first decade of the 20th century, but he finished as a Brown during the 1918-1920 seasons, winning 8 and losing 10. - Over his career, Leifield won 124, lost 97, and recorded an ERA of 2.47. - Lefty Leifield was 87 when he dies in 1970.



Merv Shea
Birth Name: Mervyn David John Shea Bats : Right
Born On: 09-05-1900 Throws : Right
Born In: San Francisco, California Height : 5-11
Died On: 01-27-1953 Weight : 175
Died In: Sacramento, California First Game: 04-23-1927
College: None Attended Last Game: 08-19-1944
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Catcher Merv batted .262 in 94 games for the 1933 Browns. Shea and cash (that favorite, but always scarce Browns commodity) came to St. Louis from the Red Sox on May 9, 1933 in exchange for catcher Rick Ferrell and pitcher Lloyd Brown. 1933 was it for Shea as a Brown, but his long career (1927-1944) with 7 big league clubs saw him finish with a .220 BA. - Merv Shea was 52 when he died in 1953.



Tom Jordan
Birth Name: Thomas Jefferson Jordan Bats : Right
Born On: 09-05-1919 Throws : Right
Born In: Lawton, Oklahoma Height : 6-01½
Died On: Still Living Weight : 195
Died In: Still Living First Game: 09-04-1944
College: None Attended Last Game: 04-28-1948
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Catcher Tom Jordan saw limited duty in the 3 big league seasons (1944, 1946, 1948), hitting .240 with 1 HR in 96 times at bat. His 1948 season consisted of one hitless trip to the plate for the Browns. After that one, Tom was off to the land of you-know-where. - BCT/GB, Tom Jordan - and Happy 86th Birthday!



Gene Bearden
Birth Name: Henry Eugene Bearden Bats : Left
Born On: 09-05-1920 Throws : Left
Born In: Lexa, Arkansas Height : 6-03
Died On: 03-18-2004 Weight : 204
Died In: Alexander City, Alabama First Game: 05-10-1947
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-05-1953
Nickname: The Arkansas Traveler Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Gene Bearden is best remembered for his 20-7 record with the 1948 World Champion Cleveland Indians. Bearden's 7-year career (1947-1953) included 45 wins, 38 losses, and an ERA of 3.96. in his only season as a Brown, Bearden was 7-9 for the 1952 club. - Gene Bearden was 83 when he died in 1904.



Deaths on September 5




No Browns Ever Knocked on September 5th.

Today's Reference Links ... http://www.baseball-almanac.com/team...p?y=1944&t=SLA

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1944&t=NYA

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1944&t=DET

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

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=NYA

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=SLA

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

[Bill_McCurdy]

September 6th - 2nd Time Around!

On This Date in History!



September 6, 1948: Browns & Tigers Use AL Record 37 Players!

Browns & Tigers Gather To Celebrate Their New Record After The Game.

At Sportsman's Park today, the Detroit Tigers defeated the St. Louis Browns by 8-1 in a game that easily could've slipped into the quiet pages of history, except fo one thing. - The two clubs used a total of 37 players, setting an American League record for most men used in a single game. It was sort of like the YMCA kids baseball program where the main objective is to see that everyone gets to play. The difference here is - the big leagues still insist upon keeping score. - Today's score drops the Browns to 49-77 in the 1948 season.




1944 American League Pennant Race

Standings Thru Games of Wednesday, September 6:
New York (74-59, .556)
St. Louis (73-59, .553) 0.5 GB
Detroit (72-60, .545) 1.5 GB

Results of Wednesday, September 6:
St. Louis: No Game Today.
New York: No Game Today.
@ Chicago: Tigers 3 - White Sox 2.

Game Reports/Comments for Wednesday, September 6:
DET PICKS UP MORE GROUND ON STILL IDLE SL & NY!. The Detroit Tigers edged the Chicago White Sox, 3-2. For the 2nd day in a row, a Tiger win allows them to pick up a half game on the still idle leading Yankees and Browns.

Games Scheduled for Thursday, September 7:
St. Louis @ Chicago.
New York: No Game Today.
Cleveland @ Detroit.

Games Scheduled for Friday, September 8:
St. Louis @ Chicago.
New York @ Boston.
Detroit: No Game Today.

Games Scheduled for Saturday, September 9:
St. Louis @ Chicago.
New York @ Boston.
Cleveland @ Detroit.

Games Scheduled for Sunday, September 10:
St. Louis @ Chicago.
New York @ Boston.
Cleveland @ Detroit.



September 6, 1924: "Pitch Count? - My Aspirations!"

"Pitch 2 games in 1 day? - I'll even do it on the road!" - Urban Shocker.

Urban Shocker of the St. Louis Browns hurled two complete–game victories over the Chicago White Sox at Comisley Park today, winning each contest by a score of 6–2. He fanned only one batter in the two games.





1922 American League Pennant Race

Standings Thru Games of Wednesday, September 6:
St. Louis (81-54, .600)
New York (79-53, .598) 0.5 GB

Results of Wednesday, September 6:
@ St. Louis: Browns 11 - Indians 3.
@ New York: Yankees 9 - Red Sox 2.

Game Reports/Comments for Wednesday, September 6:
SL & NY BOTH WIN BIG! BROWNS HOLD ONTO HALF GAME LEAD! In spite of being one game down in the loss column, the St. Louis Browns held onto their half game lead overall by blistering the Cleveland Indians today, 11-3. The New York Yankees recovered from yesterday's double loss to Boston by whacking the Red Sox. 9-2.

Games Scheduled for Thursday, September 7:
St. Louis: No Game Today.
New York: No Game Today.

Games Scheduled for Friday, September 8:
Detroit @ St. Louis.
Washington @ New York.

Games Scheduled for Saturday, September 9:
Detroit @ St. Louis.
Washington @ New York.

Games Scheduled for Sunday, September 10:
St. Louis: No Game Today.
Philadelphia @ New York (2).



September 6, 1913: Branch Rickey gets call as Browns Manager!

Branch Rickey Gets the Call from Browns!

Browns interim manager Jimmy Austin is replaced today by Branch Rickey. Austin had taken over for George Stovall until the Browns could find a permanent replacement. Stovall leaves with the club at 50-84. Austin's temporary tenure finishes at 2-6. Branch Rickey will have a 5-6 record to steward the Browns into dry dock for winter review. In case you haven't done the math, the Browns' 1913 record is 57-96. The club finishes in 8th and last place - and a full 39 games behind the American League champion A's.



September 6, 1902: Cy Young Wins 30th Against Browns!

Cy Young didn't have a "Cy Young" to win back in 1902!

Boston defeated the St. Louis Browns at Sportsman's Park, 6-5, as Cy Young won his 30th game of the year.



A Browns Record Booker

Question: What was the biggest year for home runs at Sportsman's Park?

Answer: It was 1925. The Browns and their foes hit a combined total of 146 home runs in Sportsman's Park that year.



Births on September 6



Billy Gleason
Birth Name: William Patrick Gleason Bats : Right
Born On: 09-06-1894 Throws : Right
Born In: Chicago, Illinois Height : 5-06½
Died On: 01-09-1957 Weight : 157
Died In: Holyoke, Massachusetts First Game: 09-25-1916
College: None Attended Last Game: 06-08-1921
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

2nd baseman Billy Gleason hit .257 (19/74) in 26 games for the 1921 Browns. In his only other MLB time, Gleason saw limited action for the 1916-1917 Pirates. He finished his MLB career with a BA of .220. Billy Gleason was 62 when he died in 1957. - As a big leaguer, Gleason was appropriately named. He was little more than another baseball honeymooner, but, as we always like to add, at least he was good enough - and determined enough - to get there. BCT/GB, Billy Gleason!



George Schmees
Birth Name: George Edward Schmees Bats : Left
Born On: 09-06-1924 Throws : Left
Born In: Cincinnati, Ohio Height : 6-00
Died On: 10-30-1998 Weight : 190
Died In: San Jose, California First Game: 04-15-1952
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-28-1952
Nickname: Rocky Draft: Not Applicable

Outfielder/1st baseman/pinch hiiter George Schmees played the 1952 season for the Browns and Red Sox, hitting .168 with 0 homers in 75 total games played. - After that, George was gone-for-good! - George Schmees was 74 when he died in 1998. - BCT/GB, George Schmees!



Deaths on September 6



Sammy Hale
Birth Name: Samuel Douglas Hale Bats : Right
Born On: 09-10-1896 Throws : Right
Born In: Glen Rose, Texas Height : 5-08½
Died On: 09-06-1974 Weight : 160
Died In: Wheeler, Texas First Game: 04-20-1920
College: None Attended Last Game: 08-23-1930
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Infielder Sammy Hale had a fine 10-year MLB career (1920-1921, 1923-1930). He started with the Tigers, played his years for the A's, and he finished with the 1930 Browns. - Sammy Hale hit for a career mark of .302 with 30 HR's. He was 4 days shy of his 78th birthday when he died in 1974.

Today's Reference Links ... http://www.baseball-almanac.com/team...p?y=1944&t=SLA

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1944&t=NYA

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1944&t=DET

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=NYA

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1922&t=SLA

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

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