This Date in Browns History!

[Bill_McCurdy]

November 17th - 2nd Time Around

On This Date in History!



November 17, 1953: The Final Coffin Nail - Browns Officially Become Orioles!



It is finished now. Today the St. Louis Browns' name officially became the Baltimore Baseball Club Inc. The Baltimore franchise board moved immediately to officially change its name to the "Orioles."



November 17, 1913: Waddell Picked Up in St. Louis as Homeless & Sick Man!

Rube Waddell

Former star Browns pitcher Rube Waddell was picked up by the police in St. Louis today. Waddell was wandering the streets with no visible means of support and apparently ill. It was determined that he was suffering from consumption (TB). - Waddell will die on April 1, 1914 in a San Antonio, Texas hospital.




Births on November 17



Charlie Gibson
Birth Name: Charles Ellsworth Gibson
Nickname: Gibby
Born On: 11-17-1879
Born In: Sharon, Pennsylvania
Zodiac: Scorpio
Died On: 11-22-1954
Died In: Sharon, Pennsylvania
Cemetery: Oakwood Cemetery, Sharon, Pennsylvania
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6-00
Weight: 160
First Game: 09-23-1905 (Age 25)
Last Game: 09-23-1905
Draft: Not Applicable

Charlie Gibson went 0 for 3 in his one-game big league career as a catcher for the St. Louis Browns on September 23, 1905. He never played another inning in the majors and was, of course, also gone for good. - This Charlie Gibson never heard of Dianne Sawyer - having passed away much earlier than the blossom of her career at the age of 75 in 1954.



Rollie Stiles
Birth Name: Rolland Mays Stiles
Nickname: Leapin' Lena or Lena or Rolie
Born On: 11-17-1906
Born In: Ratcliff, Arkansas
Zodiac: Scorpio
Died On: Still Living
Died In: Still Living
Cemetery: n/a
College: Southeastern State Teachers College
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6-01½
Weight: 180
First Game: 06-19-1930 (Age 23)
Last Game: 10-01-1933
Draft: Not Applicable

When former Cardinals infielder Raymond Lee Cunningham died this past summer, former Browns pitcher Rollie Stiles inherited his standing as the world's oldest living former major leaguer. - Stiles was 9-14 with an ERA of 5.92 in the three seasons (1930-1931, 1933) of his all-Browns big league time.

Here's a link to his career MLB stats ... http://www.baseball-almanac.com/play...hp?p=stilero01

Today, November 17, 2005, Rollie Stiles turns age 99.

Happy 99th Birthday, Rollie Stiles! - God Willing - let's go for the century mark!



Deaths on November 17



Earl Hamilton
Birth Name: Earl Andrew Hamilton
Nickname: None
Born On: 07-19-1891
Born In: Gibson City, Illinois
Zodiac: Cancer
Died On: 11-17-1968
Died In: Anaheim, California
Cemetery: Melrose Abbey Cemetery, Anaheim, California
College: None Attended
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Height: 5-08
Weight: 160
First Game: 04-14-1911 (Age 19)
Last Game: 05-04-1924
Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Earl Hamilton had a 14-year MLB career (1911-1924) in whiche he won 116, lost 147, and recorded a 3.15 ERA. As a Brown for 7 seasons, Hamilton won 60 and lost 89. - Earl Hamilton was 77 when he died in 1968.



Pete Taylor
Birth Name: Vernon Charles Taylor
Nickname: None
Born On: 11-26-1927
Born In: Severn, Maryland
Zodiac: Sagittarius
Died On: 11-17-2003
Died In: Annapolis, Maryland
Cemetery: Baldwin Memorial United Methodist Church Cemetery, Millersville, Maryland
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6-01
Weight: 170
First Game: 05-02-1952 (Age 24)
Last Game: 05-02-1952
Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Pete Taylor's entire MLB career took place on May 2, 1952. Although je wasn't involved in the decision, Pete gae up 3 earned runs on 4 hits and 3 walks to leave himself an MLB ERA of 13.50 for all eternity. - Pete Taylor was 9 days shy of his 76th birrthday when he passed away in 2003. - Gone for good after his one short big league game, Pete is not forgotten here. - BCT/GB, Pete Taylor!


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

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

[Bill_McCurdy]

November 18th - 2nd Time Around

On This Date in History!



November 18, 1947: Browns Cash In By Trading Stephens & Kinder to BoSox!



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

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



Births on November 18



Howie Gregory
Birth Name: Howard Watterson Gregory
Nickname: None
Born On: 11-18-1886
Born In: Hannibal, Missouri
Zodiac: Scorpio
Died On: 05-30-1970
Died In: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Cemetery: Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa, Oklahoma
College: None Attended
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Height: 6-00
Weight: 175
First Game: 04-16-1911 (Age 24)
Last Game: 05-06-1911
Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Howie Gregory worked 7 innings in 3 games for the 1911 Browns as his total MLB career and he finished with a record of 0-1 that included an ERA of 5.14. From there, he was gone for good, but still we remember. - Howie Gregory was 83 when he died in 1970. - BCT/GB, Howie Gregory!



Charlie Fuchs
Birth Name: Charles Thomas Fuchs
Nickname: None
Born On: 11-18-1912
Born In: Union Hill, New Jersey
Zodiac: Scorpio
Died On: 06-10-1969
Died In: Weehawken, New Jersey
Cemetery: George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, New Jersey
College: None Attended
Bats: Both
Throws: Right
Height: 5-08
Weight: 168
First Game: 04-17-1942 (Age 29)
Last Game: 08-05-1944
Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Charlie Fuchs posted no record in 35.2 innings of work for the 1943 Browns (his only tenure in St. Louis) and he finished his brief MLB career (1942-1944) with a mark of 6 wins, 10 losses, and an ERA of 4.89. - Charlie Fuchs was 56 when he died in 1969.



Kermit Wahl
Birth Name: Kermit Emerson Wahl Bats : Right
Born On: 11-18-1922 Throws : Right
Born In: Columbia, South Dakota Height : 5-11
Died On: 09-16-1987 Weight : 170
Died In: Tucson, Arizona First Game: 06-23-1944
College: Indiana University Last Game: 07-29-1951
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Infielder Kermit Wahl had a 5-year MLB career (1944-1945, 1947, 1950-1951) that finished with 8 games as a member of the 1951 Browns. - For his career, Wahl batted .226 with 3 homers. - Kermit Wahl was 64 when he died in 1987.



Roy Sievers



Birth Name: Roy Edward Sievers
Nickname: Squirrel
Born On: 11-18-1926
Born In: St. Louis, Missouri
Zodiac: Scorpio
Died On: Still Living
Died In: Still Living
Cemetery: n/a
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6-01
Weight: 195
First Game: 04-21-1949 (Age 22)
Last Game: 05-09-1965
Draft: Not Applicable

Outfielder Roy Sievers broke into the big leagues with the 1949 Browns by hitting .306 with 16 HRs and 91 RBIs. His output was enough to win him American League Rookie of the Year honors After 5 seasons as a Brown, Sievers moved on to a 17-year career that included tours with the Senators, Phillies, and White Sox. Over his total big league time (1949-1965), Sievers batted .267 with 318 homers. - Happy 79th Birthday, Roy Sievers!



Deaths on November 18



Wally Mayer
Birth Name: Walter A. Mayer
Nickname: None
Born On: 07-08-1890
Born In: Cincinnati, Ohio
Zodiac: Cancer
Died On: 11-18-1951
Died In: Minnetonka, Minnesota
Cemetery: Unknown
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 5-11
Weight: 168
First Game: 09-28-1911 (Age 21)
Last Game: 09-02-1919
Draft: Not Applicable

Catcher Wally Mayer had a 7-year, limited action career in the big leagues (1911-1912, 1914-1915, 1917-1919), hitting .183 with 0 HR's in 274 times at bat. In his only time with 1919 Browns, Mayer hit .226 in 62 times at bat. - Wally Mayer passed away in 1951 at the age of 61.



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!

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

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

Have a nice weekend, everybody! :atthepc

[Bill_McCurdy]

November 19th - 2nd Time Around

On This Date in History!



November 19, 1937: Bottomley Bottoms Out As Browns Manager!

2 Hall of Famers Couldn't Save The '37 Browns from 108 Losses!

It is not the sunniest day in his life as the St. Louis Browns hand manager Jim Bottomley his walking papers. Sunny Jim had only been on the job for half a season. He replaced Rogers Hornsby when the club staggered to a 25-50 start and led them to an even slightly more dismal 21-58 record the rest of the way. We get the impression that the blame for the Browns' horrible year goes more to the level of talent and less to the temperament and grey matter of their mentors. We also grasp one of the oldest adages in baseball. It's always cheaper to fire the manager than it is to fire the players. - Gabby Street will take over as manager of the Browns in 1938.



Births on November 19



Joe Glenn
Birth Name: Joseph Charles Glenn
Nickname: Gabby
Born On: 11-19-1908
Born In: Dickson City, Pennsylvania
Zodiac: Scorpio
Died On: 05-06-1985
Died In: Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania
Cemetery: St. Mary Cemetery, Dickson City, Pennsylvania
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 5-11
Weight: 175
First Game: 09-15-1932 (Age 23)
Last Game: 08-24-1940
Draft: Not Applicable

Catcher Joe Glenn had an MLB career (1932-1933, 1935-1940) BA of .252 with 5 HR's. In his only year as a Brown in 1939, Glenn batted .273 in 88 games, hitting 4 of his 5 career homers. - Joe Glenn was 76 when he died in 1985.



Deaths on November 19



Frank Kellert
Birth Name: Frank William Kellert
Nickname: None
Born On: 07-06-1924
Born In: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Zodiac: Cancer
Died On: 11-19-1976
Died In: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Cemetery: Rose Hill Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
College: Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6-02½
Weight: 185
First Game: 04-18-1953 (Age 28)
Last Game: 09-29-1956
Draft: Not Applicable

1st baseman Frank Kellert went 0 for 4 in 2 games for the 1953 Browns and he finished his short big league career (1953-1956) with a BA of .231 and 8 homers. - Frank Kellert was 52 when he died in 1976.



Jack Gilligan
Birth Name: John Peter Gilgen Bats : Both
Born On: 10-18-1885 Throws : Right
Born In: Chicago, Illinois Height : 6-00
Died On: 11-19-1980 Weight : 190
Died In: Modesto, California First Game: 09-16-1909
College: None Attended Last Game: 07-04-1910
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Jack Gilligan was 1-5 with a 4.33 ERA in two seasons for the 1909-1910 Browns and was then gone for good from the big leagues. - Jack Gilligan was 95 when he passed away in 1980. - BCT/GB, Jack Gilligan!

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

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

[Bill_McCurdy]

November 20th - 2nd Time Around

On This Date in History!



November 20, 1934: Browns Do Another Sirloin-for-Hamburger-Helper Deal.

=

The St. Louis Browns today sent good hitting outfielder Bruce Campbell to Cleveland for over-the-hill infielder Johnny Burnett, pitcher Bob Weiland, and cash. Weiland will go 0-2 with the Browns, but he will resurface in 1937 with the Cardinals and do well. - Burnett will hit .223 in 70 games for the 1935 Browns and then hang 'em up. - Bruce Campbell will bat .325 for the 1935 Indians and go on to several other good hitting seasons before retiring after 1942 with a .290 career BA.



Births On November 20



John Scheneberg
Birth Name: John Bluford Scheneberg Bats : Both
Born On: 11-20-1887 Throws : Right
Born In: Guyandotte, West Virginia Height : 6-01
Died On: 09-26-1950 Weight : 180
Died In: Huntington, West Virginia First Game: 09-23-1913
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-24-1920
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher John Scheneberg made two brief and separate 1-game appearances for the 1913 Pirates and the 1920 Browns. He was 0-1 with an 11.25 balloon for his career ERA over 8.0 innings of work. He picked up his lone decision as a Pirate - and then set sail for The Land of Gone for Good via a 2 inning layover in St. Louis, seven years later. - John Scheneberg was 62 when he died in 1950. - BCT/GB, John Scheneberg!



Deaths on November 20



George Maisel
Birth Name: George John Maisel
Nickname: None
Born On: 03-12-1892
Born In: Catonsville, Maryland
Zodiac: Pisces
Died On: 11-20-1968
Died In: Baltimore, Maryland
Cemetery: Baltimore National Cemetery, Baltimore, Maryland
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 5-10½
Weight: 180
First Game: 05-01-1913 (Age 21)
Last Game: 09-30-1922
Draft: Not Applicable

Outfielder/3rd baseman George Maisel broke into the big leagues with the Browns in 1913 and went 3 for 18 (.167) in 11 games. Maisel's next chance in the majors came with 1916 Tigers, but his 0 for 5 performance seemed like the certain end of his baseball dream. It wasn't ended there, but it was delayed. Five years wi;; pass before Maisel gets his 3rd and last shot with the 1922 Cubs, but this time, he's ready. Maisel hit .310 in 111 games for the 1922 Cubs, but all was still not won. The following season, Maisel fell back to the land of the lost and hit .190 in 38 games. This time, he was done, but his one good year did allow him to walk away with a career BA of .282 in 500 MLB times at bat. - George Maisel will die in 1968 at the age of 76.



Dick Littlefield
Birth Name: Richard Bernard Littlefield
Nickname: None
Born On: 03-18-1926
Born In: Detroit, Michigan
Zodiac: Pisces
Died On: 11-20-1997
Died In: Detroit, Michigan
Cemetery: Grand Lawn Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan
College: None Attended
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Height: 6-00
Weight: 180
First Game: 07-07-1950 (Age 24)
Last Game: 05-30-1958
Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Dick Littlefield won 9 and lost 15 for the 1952-1953 Browns. As one of the last Browns and first Orioles, Littlefield posted a career (1950-1958) record of 33 wins, 54 losses, and he registered an ERA of 4.71. - Dick Littlefield will pass away in 1997 at the age of 71.

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

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

[Bill_McCurdy]

November 21st - 2nd Time Around

On This Date in History!



November 21, 1949: Veeck Sells Indians, Opens Door To His Browns Destiny!

The Master Showman of Baseball Was Just Getting Warmed Up in 1949.

Bill Veeck sold the Indians today for $2.2 million to a Cleveland syndicate headed by Ellis Ryan. Hank Greenberg will be the new general manager of the club as Bill Veeck moves on down the time line as the future and last owner of the St. Louis Browns. - How time flies down that never returning line.



Births on November 21



No Browns were ever born on November 21st.



Deaths on November 21



Fred Glade
Birth Name: Frederick Monroe Glade
Nickname: Lucky
Born On: 01-25-1876
Born In: Dubuque, Iowa
Zodiac: Aquarius
Died On: 11-21-1934
Died In: Grand Island, Nebraska
Cemetery: Grand Island Cemetery, Grand Island, Nebraska
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6-00
Weight: 190
First Game: 05-27-1902 (Age 26)
Last Game: 06-21-1908
Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Fred Glade was also called "Lucky" - for reasons now lost over time. Glade had a career (1902-1908) MLB pitching record of 52 wins, 68 losses, and a quite nifty 2.62 ERA overall - not bad for a guy who pitched 4 seasons for the Browns, never allowing an ERA above 2.81. In fact, Lucky will record that 2.81 ERA in 1905, when he will win only 6 games against 25 losses. How lucky or unlucky was that? - Glade's best year in the big leagues was also his first as a Brown in 1904 when he won 18 games, lost 15, but still stunned hitters with a 2.27 ERA over 289 innings of work. - Pretty fair chunkin' for "Lucky Fred." - Glade was laid in the shade for all time on November 21, 1934 in Grand Island, Nebraska. He was 58 at the time of his death.



Bugs Morris
Birth Name: Joseph Harley Morris
Nickname: None
Born On: 04-19-1892
Born In: Weir City, Kansas
Zodiac: Aries
Died On: 11-21-1957
Died In: Noel, Missouri
Cemetery: White Rose Cemetery, Bartlesville, Oklahoma
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 5-09½
Weight: 163
First Game: 07-20-1918 (Age 26)
Last Game: 08-08-1921
Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Bugs Morris has every reason to claim the nickname "Bugs" as his rightful baseball moniker. It "bugs" me just to think about his frustration. In 2 MLB seasons (1918, 1921) Morris posted a career record of 0 wins, 5 losses, and ERA of 6.69. Morris pitched 4 games for the 1918 Browns and lost 2. Then he came back 3 years later with the 1921 White Sox and lost 3. He ended up back with the Browns in 1921, pitching 3 more games with no further decisions. - How frustrating! - Bugs Morris passed away in 1957 at the age of 65. - BCT/GB, Bugs Morris!



Bryan Stephens
Birth Name: Bryan Maris Stephens
Nickname: None
Born On: 07-14-1920
Born In: Fayetteville, Arkansas
Zodiac: Cancer
Died On: 11-21-1991
Died In: Santa Ana, California
Cemetery: Pacific View Memorial Park, Newport Beach, California
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6-04
Weight: 175
First Game: 05-15-1947 (Age 26)
Last Game: 09-26-1948
Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Bryan Srephens was 5-10 with the 1947 Indians and 3-6 for the 1948 Browns to finish with a career MLB record of 8 wins, 16 losses, and an ERA of 5.16. - Bryan Stephens died in 1991 at the age of 71.

Today's reference links ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseb...logy/today.stm

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

[Bill_McCurdy]

November 22nd - 2nd Time Around

On This Date in History!



November 22, 1952: AL Rookie of The Year is Not a Brown!


Harry Byrd Was 15-15 in 1952.

The baseball writers today selected pitcher Harry Byrd of the Philadelphia Athletics as the American League Rookie of the Year. - That's right. It's another slow day for news of things the Browns did - So the focus shifts here to another thing here they didn't do. That is, they didn't produce the American League's 1952 Rookie of the Year.



Births on November 22



Harry Rice
Birth Name: Harry Francis Rice
Nickname: None
Born On: 11-22-1901
Born In: Ware Station, Illinois
Zodiac: Scorpio
Died On: 01-01-1971
Died In: Portland, Oregon
Cemetery: Riverview Abbey Mausoleum, Portland, Oregon
College: None Attended
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Height: 5-09
Weight: 185
First Game: 04-18-1923 (Age 21)
Last Game: 10-01-1933
Draft: Not Applicable

Outfielder Harry Rice spent the first 5 seasons of his MLB career (1923-1927)as a Brown. For his total career (1923-1933), he batted .299 with 48 HRs. His best year came with the 1925 Browns when he hit .359 in 354 total times at bat. - Harry Rice was 69 when he died in 1971.



Deaths on November 22



Charlie Gibson
Birth Name: Charles Ellsworth Gibson
Nickname: Gibby
Born On: 11-17-1879
Born In: Sharon, Pennsylvania
Zodiac: Scorpio
Died On: 11-22-1954
Died In: Sharon, Pennsylvania
Cemetery: Oakwood Cemetery, Sharon, Pennsylvania
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6-00
Weight: 160
First Game: 09-23-1905 (Age 25)
Last Game: 09-23-1905
Draft: Not Applicable

Charlie Gibson went 0 for 3 in his one-game big league career as a catcher for the St. Louis Browns on September 23, 1905. He never played another inning in the majors and was, of course, also gone for good. - This Charlie Gibson never heard of Dianne Sawyer - having passed away much earlier than the blossom of her career at the age of 75 in 1954.

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

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

[Bill_McCurdy]

November 23rd - 2nd Time Around

On This Date in History!



November 23, 1951: Here Comes Clint!

Clint Courtney.

The New York Yankees today sent young catcher Clint Courtney to the St. Louis Browns for pitcher Jim McDonald. Courtney, the first major league catcher to wear glasses, appeared in one game for New York during the 1951 season. - He now moves on to a storied period as the scrappy receiver of the Browns.



November 23, 1935: Dog-House Coffman Dealt To Giants!

"What the heck did I do?" - Dick Coffman.

The New York Giants today purchased the contract of veteran pitcher Dick Coffman from the St. Louis Browns. Coffman, who was severely on the outs with manager Rogers Hornsby, will go 24–14 over the next four years for New York. - Too bad for the Browns that "The Rajah" and Coffman had that irreconcilable failure to communicate.



November 23, 1930: Mr. Touchdown, USA!

(Re-posted from last year because I didn't have a better idea this year.)

At the Polo Grounds in New York today, St. Louis Browns outfielder Red Badgro, playing for the NFL New York Giants, catches a TD pass against the Green Bay Packers. It is Badgro's 3rd touchdown catch of the season, all from Benny Friedman. In 1981, Badgro will be elected to the Hall of Fame - for football, not baseball.

In baseball, Badgro was a .257 hitting outfielder for the 1929-1930 Browns in 143 games. He hit only 2 homers in 382 official career times at bat and soon gave up the National Pastime for that other sport - the one they play in the off-season with that oval pigskin they like to call a ball.

Based on results, it's obvious that Badgro made the best choice for himself. Like his celebrated two-sport contemporaries - Jim Thorpe, Ernie Nevers, and George Halas - Badgro made a much bigger name for himself as a football player. He had starred as an end at the University of Southern California who eventually played for all three of the New York football teams, the Yankees, Giants, and Dodgers, from 1927 to 1936. In 1981, he was to become the oldest man ever elected to the Professional Football Hall of Fame.

The following two versions of that old football hero song, Mr. Touchdown, USA, are dedicated to Red Badgro and all the other guys who excelled at the autumn sport - only to find that the game played with a bat, ball, and glove in the spring was a little tougher challenge.

Mr. Touchdown, USA - For Being A Great Football Player!

Red Badgro of the NFL Hall of Fame.

They used to call him Mr. Touchdown!
They used to call him Old TD!
He could run! And he could throw!
Give him the ball and then - look at him go!

Hip! Hip! Hooray for Mr. Touchdown!
He's gonna beat 'em today!
Let's give a long, loud cheer - for the hero of the year!
Mr. Touchdown, USA!

Mr. Touchback, USA - If You Had Played Football As You Did Baseball!

Red Badgro of the St. Louis Browns.

They used to call him Mr. Touchback!
They used to call him Old TB!
He couldn't run! And he couldn't pass!
Give him the ball and he'd - fall on his ass!

No Hip-Hooray for Mr. Touchback!
He's gonna beat us today!
Let's give a long, loud jeer - for the bonehead of the year!
Mr. Touchback, USA!

Sorry, folks, I couldn't resist. Writing parodies is just one of those things I do on another slow date in Brownie history.



Births on November 23



George Stovall
Birth Name: George Thomas Stovall
Nickname: Firebrand
Born On: 11-23-1877
Born In: Leeds, Missouri
Zodiac: Sagittarius
Died On: 11-05-1951
Died In: Burlington, Iowa
Cemetery: Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington, Iowa
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6-02
Weight: 180
First Game: 07-04-1904 (Age 26)
Last Game: 10-03-1915
Draft: Not Applicable

1st baseman George Stovall played two seasons for the 1912-13 Browns, also serving as playing manager for parts of both years. Over the course of his 12-year MLB career (1904-1915), Stovall batted .265 with 15 dead ball era homers. - George Stovall was 73 (18 days shy of age 74) when he died in 1951.



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.



Deaths on November 23



Sam West
Birth Name: Samuel Filmore West Bats : Left
Born On: 10-05-1904 Throws : Left
Born In: Longview, Texas Height : 5-11
Died On: 11-23-1985 Weight : 165
Died In: Lubbock, Texas First Game: 04-17-1927
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-24-1942
Nickname: Sam or Sammy Draft: Not Applicable

Outfielder Sam West had a fine 16-year MLB career (1927-1942), batting .299 lifetime with 75 homers. In 6 seasons with the Browns (1933-1938), Sam was an American League all star, batting over .300 5 times. - Sam West was 81 when he passed away in 1985.

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

[Bill_McCurdy]

November 24th - 2nd Time Around

On This Date in History!




November 24, 1938: A Browns Thanksgiving.

"Well, it looks 'brown' enough to me!" *

* On Thanksgiving Day in 1938, Browns management took an upbeat look at their roster for 1939.

(The following dirge is re-posted from last Thanksgiving Day - again, because I didn't have a better idea this year!)

In Nineteen Hundred and Single Aught Two,
The St. Louis Browns sailed out of the blue.

To the baseball wars, we fought for fame,
But most of the time, we came up lame.

We had a few great ones, notably Sisler,
But years fell like dominos, in an endless fizzler.

While others had a ball, bringing joy to their fans,
We only had Phil Ball, who sat on his hands.

And when Ball ran Rickey - to the Cardinal Red Nation,
We were then doomed forever - to a losing situation.

We had some good guys, but we just couldn't keep 'em.
If they had any value, to the Yankees we'd sweep 'em.

And the seasons droned on, and so did the losing,
With empty stand days, and post-game boozing.

We could've been cursed, by those lonely days!
Thank God for our friends, the Senators and A's!

We came close to winning, in Nineteen Twenty-Two,
But George got hurt, and our season ended blue.

We made a run again, in Nineteen Forty-Four,
Hope took on the Cardinals, but landed on the floor.

And when Bill Veeck came on the scene, our hearts began to fidget!
Hope soared ‘cross Missouri skies, but crashed down on the midget!

In Nineteen Hundred and Fifty- Four, the St. Louis Browns - were no more.
They were gone ...... just gone. ………………………………….. gone to Baltimore.

Thanks for the memories, anyway, Brownies! And thanks for helping those of us who grew up as Browns fans to a deeper appreciation for one great life lesson that was never available to young Yankee fans. - Yankee fans only get to learn that "you can't win 'em all." Browns fans got to learn that "we will survive, even when it looks as though we may lose 'em all!"

Happy Thanksgiving Everywhere, Browns Fans! Nobody Knows Turkeys Quite As Well As We Do!



Births on November 24



Ed Miller
Birth Name: Edwin Collins Miller
Nickname: Big Ed
Born On: 11-24-1888
Born In: Annville, Pennsylvania
Zodiac: Sagittarius
Died On: 04-17-1980
Died In: South Lebanon Township, Pennsylvania
Cemetery: Mount Annville Cemetery, Annville, Pennsylvania
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6-00
Weight: 180
First Game: 06-29-1912 (Age 23)
Last Game: 07-03-1918
Draft: Not Applicable

Utility man Ed Miller had a hopscotch 3-year MLB career (1912, 1914, & 1918). Big Ed Miller hit .196 and .138 in his first 2 years of limited action as a Brown. He came back in 1918 with the Indians to rack up his best season average of .229. It was enough to bring Miller's career BA to an even .200 with no homers in 200 times at bat. - At 6'0" even, "Big Ed" Miller wasn't really that tall by our 21st century standards, but he stood out among the Lilliputians who played the game in the early 20th century. Of course, we don't know for sure. Maybe Miller acquired the "Big Ed" tag for his loud mouth or large ego. - Those two traits were around back then as much as they are today. Unfortunately, there's no sign of them going away either.



Tony Giuliani
Birth Name: Angelo John Giuliani
Nickname: None
Born On: 11-24-1912
Born In: St. Paul, Minnesota
Zodiac: Sagittarius
Died On: 10-08-2004
Died In: St. Paul, Minnesota
Cemetery: Resurrection Cemetery, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 5-11
Weight: 175
First Game: 04-18-1936 (Age 23)
Last Game: 10-03-1943
Draft: Not Applicable

Catcher Tony Guiliani had a 7-season MLB career (1936-1941, 1943) in which he batted .233 with 0 homers in 674 times at bat. Guiliani was a Brown during his first two seasons (1926-1937). - Tony Guiliani was 71 when he died iin 1984.



Deaths on November 24



Ivy Andrews
Birth Name: Ivy Paul Andrews
Nickname: Poison Ivy
Born On: 05-06-1907
Born In: Dora, Alabama
Zodiac: Taurus
Died On: 11-24-1970
Died In: Birmingham, Alabama
Cemetery: Shanghi Cemetery, Quinton, Alabama
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6-01
Weight: 200
First Game: 08-15-1931 (Age 24)
Last Game: 09-28-1938
Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Ivy Andrews had a career MLB record of 50 wins, 59 losses, and a 4.14 ERA from 1931-1938. As a Brown (1934-1936), Andrews was part poison and part ivy, posting a record in St. Louis of 24 wins and 20 losses during his three years of service. - Poison Ivy Andrews pass awayed in 1970 in at the age of 63.



Spencer Adams
Birth Name: Spencer Dewey Adams
Nickname: None
Born On: 06-21-1898
Born In: Layton, Utah
Zodiac: Gemini
Died On: 11-24-1970
Died In: Salt Lake City, Utah
Cemetery: Kaysville-Layton Memorial Park, Layton, Utah
College: None Attended
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Height: 5-09
Weight: 158
First Game: 05-08-1923 (Age 24)
Last Game: 10-02-1927
Draft: Not Applicable

Obscure infielder Spencer Adams finished his limited action, 4-year MLB career (1923, 1925-1927) by hitting .266 in 88 games for the 1927 Browns. For his career, Adams hit .256, but he failed to homer in 395 official times at bat. - Spencer Adams will die on November 24, 1970 in Salt Lake City, Utah at the age of 82.

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

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

[Bill_McCurdy]

November 25th - 2nd Time Around

On This Date in History!



November 25, 1939: A Thanksgiving Holiday Reflection.

"We gave it our best!" *

* Left Fielder Joe Gallagher reflects on 1939 Browns' Record of 43 Wins, 111 Losses.


Births on November 25



Jim Weaver
Birth Name: James Dement Weaver
Nickname: Big Jim
Born On: 11-25-1903
Born In: Obion County, Tennessee
Zodiac: Sagittarius
Died On: 12-12-1983
Died In: Lakeland, Florida
Cemetery: Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Erlanger, Kentucky
College: Western Kentucky University
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6-06
Weight: 230
First Game: 08-27-1928 (Age 24)
Last Game: 05-08-1939
Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Jim Weaver had an 8-season MLB career (192, 1931, 1934-1939) in which he won 57, lost 36, and registered an ERA of 3.88. In two stints in St. Louis, Weaver was 2-0 for the 1934 Browns and 0-1 in only game and 7 innings for the 1938 Browns before being moved to the Reds that same season. - Jim Weaver was 80 when he died in 1983.



Deaths on November 25



Ham Patterson
Birth Name: Hamilton Patterson Bats : Right
Born On: 10-13-1877 Throws : Right
Born In: Belleville, Illinois Height : 6-02
Died On: 11-25-1945 Weight : 185
Died In: East St. Louis, Illinois First Game: 05-18-1909
College: None Attended Last Game: 08-30-1909
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

1st baseman/outfielder Ham Patterson hit .204 (10/49) with 0 HR's for the 1909 Browns. An 0 for 3 added tab for the 1909 White Sox settled Ham's brief career BA at .192 and launched him into the the Land of Gone for Good. - Ham Patterson was 68 when he died in 1945. - BCT/GB, Ham Patterson!



Frank Wilson
Birth Name: Francis Edward Wilson
Nickname: Squash
Born On: 04-20-1901
Born In: Malden, Massachusetts
Zodiac: Aries
Died On: 11-25-1974
Died In: Leicester, Massachusetts
Cemetery: Pine Grove Cemetery, Leicester, Massachusetts
College: Boston College
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Height: 6-00
Weight: 185
First Game: 06-20-1924 (Age 23)
Last Game: 06-08-1928
Draft: Not Applicable

Outfielder (1924-1926, 1928) Frank Wilson played ony 6 games in his final season for the Browns, going out with no hits in 5 trips to the plate. For his 168 game career, Wilson batted .247 with 1 HR. - Frank Wilson passed away in 1974 at the age of 73.

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

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

[Bill_McCurdy]

November 26th - 2nd Time Around

On This Date in History!



November 26, 1916: Reflections on The Year That Altered Browns History.

"Goodbye, Browns! - Hello, Cardinals!" - Branch Rickey.

Will the personality conflict between Browns owner Phil Ball and General Manager Branch Rickey have much bearing on the future of the club? It was enough to drive Rickey away from the Browns at the end of the 1916 season and into the same role with the rival Cardinals, but will that really matter over time? Guess we'll have to wait and see - right?



Births on November 26



Bob Elliott
Birth Name: Robert Irving Elliott
Nickname: Mr. Team
Born On: 11-26-1916
Born In: San Francisco, California
Zodiac: Sagittarius
Died On: 05-04-1966
Died In: San Diego, California
Cemetery: Greenwood Memorial Park, San Diego, California
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6-00
Weight: 185
First Game: 09-02-1939 (Age 22)
Last Game: 07-16-1953
Draft: Not Applicable

3rd baseman Bob Elliott had a 15-year MLB career (1939-1953) in which he batted .289 with 170 HR's. Elliott batted .250 iwith 5 HR's n 48 games for the the 1953 Browns before being dealt to the Chicago White Sox that same season. - Bob Elliott was 49 when he died in 1966.



Pete Taylor
Birth Name: Vernon Charles Taylor
Nickname: None
Born On: 11-26-1927
Born In: Severn, Maryland
Zodiac: Sagittarius
Died On: 11-17-2003
Died In: Annapolis, Maryland
Cemetery: Baldwin Memorial United Methodist Church Cemetery, Millersville, Maryland
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6-01
Weight: 170
First Game: 05-02-1952 (Age 24)
Last Game: 05-02-1952
Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Pete Taylor's entire MLB career took place on May 2, 1952. Although je wasn't involved in the decision, Pete gae up 3 earned runs on 4 hits and 3 walks to leave himself an MLB ERA of 13.50 for all eternity. - Pete Taylor was 9 days shy of his 76th birrthday when he passed away in 2003. - Gone for good after his one short big league game, Pete is not forgotten here. - BCT/GB, Pete Taylor!



Deaths on November 26

So far, no Brownie souls have ever taken flight on November 26th.

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

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

Have a nice lefover turkey weekend, everybody!

[Bill_McCurdy]

November 27th - 2nd Time Around

On This Date in History!



November 27, 1951: Browns & White Sox in Multi-Player Trade!

This Member of the Go-Go Sox Wasn't Gone-Gone For Long!

The St. Louis Browns today sent catcher Sherm Lollar, pitcher Al Widmar, and infielder Tommy Upton to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for catcher Gus Niarhos, pitcher Dick Littlefield, 1st basemen Gordy Goldsberry, shortstop Joe DeMaestri, and outfielder Jim Rivera. Rivera, a favorite of Browns manager Rogers Hornsby, will return to the White Sox in only eight months. - On July 25, 1952, the Browns will send Rivera and catcher Darrell Johnson to the Chicago Americans in return for outfielders J.W. Porter and Ray Coleman.



Births on November 27



Joe Bush
Birth Name: Leslie Ambrose Bush Bats : Right
Born On: 11-27-1892 Throws : Right
Born In: Brainerd, Minnesota Height : 5-09
Died On: 11-01-1974 Weight : 173
Died In: Fort Lauderdale, Florida First Game: 09-30-1912
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-30-1928
Nickname: Bullet Joe or Joe Draft: Not Applicable

Great MLB pitcher Joe Bush was 14-14 with an ERA of 5.09 in 1925, his only season with the Browns. Over the course of his 17-year MLB career (1912-1928), Joe Bush won 195, lost 183, and posted an ERA of 3.51 over the 3,087.1 innings that were his big league body of work. - Joe Bush was 81 when he died in 1974.



Deaths on November 27



Glen Moulder
Birth Name: Glen Hubert Moulder Bats : Right
Born On: 09-28-1917 Throws : Right
Born In: Cleveland, Oklahoma Height : 6-00
Died On: 11-27-1994 Weight : 180
Died In: Decatur, Georgia First Game: 04-28-1946
College: None Attended Last Game: 09-18-1948
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Glen Moulder went 4-2 with a 3.92 ERA for the 1947 Browns. In his 3-year MLB career (1946-1948) won 7, lost 8, and had a 5.21 ERA. - Glen Moulder was 77 when he died in 1994.

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

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

[Bill_McCurdy]

November 28th - 2nd Time Around

On This Date in History!



November 28, 1951: Browns Pull Trade Trigger for 2nd Straight Day!

Gus Niarhos wasn't in the St. Louis oven long enough to become a Brownie!

The St. Louis Browns pulled the trade trigger for the scond straight day this morning. Today they traded 24-hour Browns catcher Gus Niarhos, acquired only yesterday, to the Boston Red Sox for catcher Les Moss and outfielder Tom Wright. The team also signed shortstop and former Cardinals manager Marty Marion to a player contract.



Births on November 28



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

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



Deaths on November 28



So far, no Browns have flown with the angels on November 28.

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

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

[Bill_McCurdy]

November 29th - 2nd Time Around

On This Date in History!



November 29, 1927: Fantasy Game Faces of the 1927 Browns Lineup:


Batting Order of The Mean-Look '27 Browns

1. CF

2. SS

3. 1B

4. LF

5. 2B

6. 3B

7. RF

8. C

9. P

With the above lineup facing the '27 Yankees, who knows? Maybe their Murderers' Row wouldn't have beaten our Browns in 21 of 22 tries. - Of course, it all still turns on whether the guys pictured here could've hit a few trick pitches. I wouldn't have put it past Yankee Waite Hoyt to rub a little wolf bane on the ball. - Of course, our pitcher might have some complaints about all those 1927 day games and - when he gets knocked out of the box - he really gets knocked out of the box. - Good thing his handiwork with/as the bat off-sets his sunshine weaknesses.



Births on November 29



Carl Weilman
Birth Name: Carl Woolworth Weilman
Nickname: Zeke
Born On: 11-29-1889
Born In: Hamilton, Ohio
Zodiac: Sagittarius
Died On: 05-25-1924
Died In: Hamilton, Ohio
Cemetery: Greenwood Cemetery, Hamilton, Ohio
College: None Attended
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Height: 6-05½
Weight: 187
First Game: 08-24-1912 (Age 22)
Last Game: 09-29-1920
Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Carl Weilman had an 8-year, all-Browns MLB career (1912-1917, 1919-1920) in which he won 85 games, lost 95, and posted a pretty fair ERA of 2.67. - Sadly, Carl Weilman passed away at the young age of 34 in 1924.



Charlie Snell
Birth Name: Charles Anthony Schnell
Nickname: None
Born On: 11-29-1893
Born In: Hampstead, Maryland
Zodiac: Sagittarius
Died On: 04-04-1988
Died In: Reading, Pennsylvania
Cemetery: East Harrisburg Cemetery, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 5-11
Weight: 160
First Game: 07-19-1912 (Age 18)
Last Game: 08-14-1912
Draft: Not Applicable

Catcher Charlie Schnell was 4 for 19 (.211) with 0 homers for the 1912 Browns as his only MLB appearance and was then gone-for-good. Charlie Snell was 94 when he died in 1099. - BCT/GB, Charlie Snell!



Joe DeBerry
Birth Name: Joseph Gaddy DeBerry Bats : Left
Born On: 11-29-1896 Throws : Right
Born In: Mount Gilead, North Carolina Height : 6-01
Died On: 10-09-1944 Weight : 175
Died In: Southern Pines, North Carolina First Game: 08-24-1920
College: North Carolina College of Agricultural and Engineering Last Game: 09-03-1921
Nickname: Joe Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Joe DeBerry had a 2-5 record with a 5.24 ERA in his 2-year MLB career with the Browns (1920-1921). - Joe DeBerry was 47 when he died in 1944.



Deaths on November 29



Red Kress
Birth Name: Ralph Kress
Nickname: Red
Born On: 01-02-1907
Born In: Columbia, California
Zodiac: Capricorn
Died On: 11-29-1962
Died In: Los Angeles, California
Cemetery: Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 5-11½
Weight: 165
First Game: 09-24-1927 (Age 20)
Last Game: 07-17-1946
Draft: Not Applicable

After serving the 1962 season as one of manager Casey Stengel's coaches on the maiden voyage of the Bad Ship Mets, former Brown Red Kress died on November 29, 1962 in Los Angeles of a heart attack at age 55.

Red's baseball life was a mixture of good hitting, Jekyll & Hyde fielding, bum luck, lots of heart, and plenty of resilience. During his early years as a St. Louis Brown (1927-31), Kress hit well, posting full-season averages of .305 in 1929, .313 in 1930, and .311 in 1931. Kress also posted over 100 RBIs in each of those plus .300 batting years.

In the field, Red Kress led American League shortstops in 1929, but he then turned around the next year and led the league in errors in 1930. The Browns moved him from shortstop in 1931 so Jim Levey could take over. Levey, in turn, led the league in errors. Gotta be the uniform, right?

In 1932, St. Louis traded Kress to the White Sox just as the Chicagoans were getting ready to start a young rookie from North Carolina by the name of Luke Appling. Kress adapted to playing wherever he was needed. Red was dealt to the Senators in early 1934. All he faced there as his competition at shortstop was manager Joe Cronin, another future Hall of Famer.

Kress spent 1937 in Minneapolis of the American Association, hitting .330 and leading shortstops in total chances, the Browns reacquired him. Played at short, he responded by hitting .302 and leading the league in fielding. Traded to Detroit in 1939, he broke his leg during the season. In 1940, the pennant-bound Tigers released the destiny-flawed Kress.

Red Kress hung in there long enough to collect 1,454 hits and a .286 average for his major league career. Red Kress survived a lot of adversity in his time, but he had learned to recognize new baseball versions of the Titanic better than most. By the time of his death, Kress had tendered his resignation from another year with the expansion Mets.

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

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

[Bill_McCurdy]

November 30th - 2nd Time Around

On This Date in History!



November 30, 1947: The Brownie Wisdom of Charlie Chan.

"No businessman solves problem while refusing to see that way he runs business is the problem." - Charlie Chan

Had we asked, Charlie may also have shared some other insights on the St. Louis Browns:

On Browns' Practice of Selling Best Players for Operating Capital. "Browns run business like ship captain who attempts ocean crossing by burning planks from hull for fuel. Result always same. Voyage never completed by sinking ship - and captain always put adrift at sea."

On Lack of Gate Support by Browns Fans. "Browns fan like man whose only entertainment is going to dentist to have tooth pulled. Such a man soon choose to stay home and do nothing because his will to go out and be entertained is lost."

On Browns' Competition with the Cardinals. "Hard to win race against man with soaring hawk while spending all time clipping wings of own bird."



Births on November 30



Josh Billings


Josh Billings

Birth Name: John Augustus Billings
Nickname: None
Born On: 11-30-1892
Born In: Grantville, Kansas
Zodiac: Sagittarius
Died On: 12-30-1981
Died In: Santa Monica, California
Cemetery: Body donated to UCLA Medical School
College: Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 5-11
Weight: 165
First Game: 09-09-1913 (Age 20)
Last Game: 06-16-1923
Draft: Not Applicable

Catcher Josh Billings broke into the big leagues on September 9, 1913 with the Cleveland Naps. Cleveland traded Billings to the Browns in March 1919 in exchange for another catcher, Les Nunamaker. All told, Billings played for 11 seasons as a limited action player on 3 different teams (1913-1923) with his 5 Browns years coming at the end of the line (1919-1923). Billings compiled a career BA of .217, but he hit no homers in his total 488 times at bat. - Josh Billings was 89 when he died in 1981.



Win Ballou
Birth Name: Noble Winfield Ballou
Nickname: Old Pard
Born On: 11-30-1897
Born In: Mount Morgan, Kentucky
Zodiac: Sagittarius
Died On: 01-29-1963
Died In: San Francisco, California
Cemetery: Woodlawn Memorial Park, Daly City, California
College: Eastern Kentucky University
Bats: Right
Throws: Left
Height: 5-10½
Weight: 170
First Game: 08-24-1925 (Age 27)
Last Game: 09-15-1929
Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Win Ballou had a record of 16 wins and 16 losses for the 1926-1927 Browns, For his total 4-season MLB career (1925-1927, 1929), Ballou had a record of 19 wins, 20 losses, and an ERA of 5.11. - Win Ballou was 65 when he died in 1963.



Deaths on November 30



Alex Metzler
Birth Name: Alexander Metzler
Nickname: None
Born On: 01-04-1903
Born In: Fresno, California
Zodiac: Capricorn
Died On: 11-30-1973
Died In: Fresno, California
Cemetery: Mountain View Cemetery, Fresno, California
College: None Attended
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Height: 5-09
Weight: 167
First Game: 09-16-1925 (Age 22)
Last Game: 09-28-1930
Draft: Not Applicable

Outfiielder Alex Metzler finishes the last half of his 6th and final year in the majors with the 1930 Browns and he hit .258 in 209 trips to the plate. His career (1925-1930) average is .285 with 9 HRs. - Alex Metzler was 70 when he died in 1973.

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

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

[Bill_McCurdy]

December 1st - 2nd Time Around

On This Date in History!



December 1, 1949: Browns Again Unload Talent To Pay Bills.

"When Truth Refused, Opportunity for Wisdom Wasted."

Attendance in MLB in 1949 is 20.2 million, down from 20.9 in 1948. The New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians each finish with over 2.2 million, but the St. Louis Browns fall to 270,000. The Browns will try to cover their light attendance with $200,000 obtained in cash in December sales of Bob Dillinger, Gerry Priddy, and Paul Lehner. The Browns get five players in the transactions.



Births on December 1



Ed Coleman
Birth Name: Parke Edward Coleman Bats : Left
Born On: 12-01-1901 Throws : Right
Born In: Canby, Oregon Height : 6-02
Died On: 08-05-1964 Weight : 200
Died In: Oregon City, Oregon First Game: 04-15-1932
College: Oregon State Agricultural College Last Game: 09-26-1936
Nickname: None Draft: Not Applicable

Outfielder Ed Coleman had a 5-year (1932-1936) MLB batting average of .285 and he also slammed 40 homers. He finished his career as a Brown, hitting .287 with 17 HR's for the 1938 club - and .292 with 2 homers for the 1939 Browns. - Ed Coleman was 62 at the time of his 1964 death.



Red Badgro
Birth Name: Morris Hiram Badgro
Nickname: Red
Born On: 12-01-1902
Born In: Orillia, Washington
Zodiac: Sagittarius
Died On: 07-13-1998
Died In: Kent, Washington
Cemetery: Hillcrest Burial Park, Kent, Washington
College: University of Southern California
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Height: 6-00
Weight: 190
First Game: 06-20-1929 (Age 26)
Last Game: 09-18-1930
Draft: Not Applicable

Outfielder Morris Hiram "Red" Badgro played 2 years in the big leagues for the 1929-1930 Browns, batting .257 with 2 home runs in 382 games. He passed away in 1998 at the age of 95.



Marty Marion



Birth Name: Martin Whiteford Marion
Nickname: Marty or The Octopus or Slats
Born On: 12-01-1917
Born In: Richburg, South Carolina
Zodiac: Sagittarius
Died On: Still Living
Died In: Still Living
Cemetery: n/a
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6-02
Weight: 170
First Game: 04-16-1940 (Age 22)
Last Game: 07-06-1953
Draft: Not Applicable

Great Cardinal shortstop Marty Marion had 13-season playing career i(1940-1950, 1952-1953) in which he batted .263 with 36 homers. Marion also had the distinction of finishing his career with the Browns (1952-1953), serving also for part of 1952 and all of 1953 as the last manager of the St. Louis American League club. - Marty Marion in 2005 is celebrating his 88th birthday in good health. - WOW! - Happy Birthday, Slats!



Bob Savage
Birth Name: John Robert Savage
Nickname: None
Born On: 12-01-1921
Born In: Manchester, New Hampshire
Zodiac: Sagittarius
Died On: Still Living
Died In: Still Living
Cemetery: n/a
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6-02
Weight: 180
First Game: 06-24-1942 (Age 20)
Last Game: 05-04-1949
Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Bob Savage had 5-season MLB career (1942, 1946-1949), winning 16, losing 27, and posting an ERA of 4.32. - Savage pitched 7 innings for the 1949 Browns, posting no record and a 6.43 ERA to close out his big league history. - In 2005, Bob Savage is celebrating his 84th birthday. - Happy Birthday, Bob!



Deaths on December 1



Buster Mills
Birth Name: Colonel Buster Mills Bats : Right
Born On: 09-16-1908 Throws : Right
Born In: Ranger, Texas Height : 5-11½
Died On: 12-01-1991 Weight : 195
Died In: Arlington, Texas First Game: 04-18-1934
College: University of Oklahoma Last Game: 06-01-1946
Nickname: Bus or Buster Draft: Not Applicable

Outfielder Buster Mills had 7-year MLB career (1934-1935, 1937-1938, 1940, 1942, 1946), batting .287 with 14 homers. In his only service as a Brown (1938), Mills batted .285 with 3 homers in 123 games. - Buster Mills was 83 when he died in 1991.

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

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