This Date in Browns History!

[philliesfiend55]

The Final Debut

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

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

... a Milt Gaston link ...http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseb...aston_Milt.stm

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

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

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

Have a nice Saturday, everybody!

Today's General Reference Link ... http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseb...EPTEMBER25.stm

September 25, 1953: OLutfielder Jim Pisoni becomes the last player in Browns' history to make his major league debut as a Brown.

[dennis duncan]

browns batboy

My dad was batboy for the Browns in the 40,s. If you have any photos or info from that era I would love to hear about it.

[dennis duncan]

Browns batboy

My dad was batboy for the Browns and visitor batboy for the Cardinals in the mid 40's. His name was Robert (Chubby) Duncan. If you or anyone out there has any team photos etc.. from that era I would love to see if my dad was in any of them. Thanks in advance ror any info.

[machinehead11]

I've communicated with Mr. Gutteridge a couple of times in the past. He's about as nice as they come in baseball.

[skyjammer0]

Thank you

Thank you for the info. I absolutely will keep the ball, as it belonged to my grandfather, Ernest Stewart, who was an American League Umpire from 1941 to 1945. I am sure Mr. Gutteridge won't remember signing it, as I am sure he signed so many, but I am going to ask anyway. Maybe he would know if it was from the World Series, and who the unknown signer may have been.

[Bill_McCurdy]

Don Gutteridge's address

I have a baseball signed by Mr. Gutteridge from, I believe, 1944. Is there anyway to contact Mr. Gutteridge about this, a sort of correspondence?

Skyjammer -

Hold onto that ball. It was signed by one of the nicest gentlemen in baseball history. I also feel certain that Don would be happy to hear from you. You may write him at

Don Gutteridge
804 Lakeview Drive
Pittsburg, Kansas 66762-6150

Take care.

- Bill

[skyjammer0]

Donald Joseph Gutteridge

I have a baseball signed by Mr. Gutteridge from, I believe, 1944. Is there anyway to contact Mr. Gutteridge about this, a sort of correspondence?

[dave_heller]

July 20, 1944 The Browns' Nelson Potter becomes the first pitcher suspended for throwing spitballs. He is banished for 10 days for allegedly "putting an illegal substance on the ball." Potter will return and win 19 games for St. Louis.

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseb...logy/today.stm

In doing the research for my book (cheap plug ), it seemed as though Potter was merely wetting the ball (as many pitchers do) by moistening his fingers, even though he had been warned not to. Also, Potter always denied that he threw a spitter. In my interview with Denny Galehouse, he intimated the opposite.

Funny, I remember Galehouse also said there was a pitcher on the Indians when he pitched there that threw a spitter, but he wouldn't tell me who. He said I'd be surprised to know who it was. (Pure conjencture, I think it might have been Mel Harder)

Anyway, the upshot of Potter's suspension was it turned out his wife had a baby nine months after he had served his 10 days. Potter's remark was something like how he wouldn't be naming him Cal Hubbard (the ump who tossed Potter and reported him).

[Bill_McCurdy]

reprising one of my favorite "this day" facts

July 20, 1944 The Browns' Nelson Potter becomes the first pitcher suspended for throwing spitballs. He is banished for 10 days for allegedly "putting an illegal substance on the ball." Potter will return and win 19 games for St. Louis.

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseb...logy/today.stm

[Bill_McCurdy]

Thanks.

Bobspace -

Thanks for the heads up correction on Mel Mazzera. Unfortunately, the earlier report here that he is still living was wrong. Mel Mazzera died on December 17, 1997 in Stockton, California.

http://http://www.baseball-almanac.c...hp?p=mazzeme01

We only get better by fixing our mistakes. This thread becomes more valuable to history with all corrections to any factual errors previously reported. They are easy to make as individuals when it comes to pouring over hundreds of individual records.

Your input is always appreciated.

- Bill McCurdy

[Bobspace]

A post appears on this web site stating that Melvin Mazzera is still living. I know for a fact that Melvin died in the late 1990s. I will get all the facts together about Melvin's life from his obituary and post them.

Melvin and I share greatgrandfathers of the Masera family, later the name became Mazzera. His grandfather and my greatgrandfather were brothers.

More information to come.

[Bill_McCurdy]

On The Passing of Jake Wade ...

Last year on his April 1st birthday, I posted the following about Jake Wade:

Jacob "Whistling Jake" Fields is born on April 1, 1912 in Morehead City, North Carolina. The BL/TL North Carolina State University alumnus will go on to an 8-year big league pitching career (1936-1939, 1942-1944, 1946) and build a total record of 27 wins, 40 losses, and an ERA of 5.00. In one partial season with the 1939 Browns, Wade will register 0 wins, 2 losses, and a 11.02 ERA in 16.1 innings of work. - Jake Wade lives on as one of the oldest living former Browns.

Happy 93rd Birthday, Jake Wade? - Can you still whistle?

As you've read on another thread, Jake Wade passed away on February 1, 2006. - We'll whistle for you this year, Jake. - God bless your Brownie soul!

[Bill_McCurdy]

December 31st - 2nd Time Around

Final Daily Post! ...


On This Date in History!



Happy New Year's Eve!



Births on December 31



Charlie Flanagan
Birth Name: Charles James Flanagan
Nickname: None
Born On: 12-31-1891
Born In: Oakland, California
Zodiac: Capricorn
Died On: 01-08-1930
Died In: San Francisco, California
Cemetery: San Francisco National Cemetery, San Francisco, California
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6-00
Weight: 175
First Game: 07-09-1913 (Age 21)
Last Game: 08-05-1913
Draft: Not Applicable

3rd baseman/outfielder Charlie Flanagan went 0 for 3 job in 4 games for the 1913 Browns and was then gone-for-good. - Charlie Flanagan died in 1930 at the age of 39. - BCT/GB, Charlie Flanagan!



Thomas Joseph "Tommy" Byrne

Tommy Byrne.

Birth Name: Thomas Joseph Byrne
Nickname: Wildman
Born On: 12-31-1919
Born In: Baltimore, Maryland
Zodiac: Capricorn
Died On: Still Living
Died In: Still Living
Cemetery: n/a
College: Wake Forest College
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Height: 6-01
Weight: 182
First Game: 04-27-1943 (Age 23)
Last Game: 09-21-1957
Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Tommy Byrne compiled a big league pitching career (1943-1957) that included two major stints with the Yankees, lefty Byrne registered a record of 85 wins 69 losses, and E.R.A. of 4.11. During his two seasons as a Brown (1951-1952), Byrne posted 11 wins and 24 losses. Byrne attended one of our annual Brownie reunions in 1999. He was a very nice fellow and in great shape. At that time, he was still an active golfer. - Tommy Byrne is 86 years old today in 2005. - Happy 86th Birthday, Tommy Byrne!



Bill McCurdy

"Check out www.tbhof.org when you have time." - Bill McCurdy

Birth Name: William Oscar McCurdy III
Nickname: Buff
Born On: 12-31-1937
Born In: Beeville, Texas (birthplace of former Browns Bert Gallia & Lefty Lloyd Brown)
Zodiac: Capricorn
Died On: Still Living (only feel dead around non-baseball people)
Died In: Still Living (once had a near-death experience listening to the sales pitch of a life insurance salesman)
Cemetery: n/a
College: Houston, Tulane, & Texas
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 5-10
Weight: 155 (writing weight is closer to 195)
First Game: 04-28-47 (Age 9) Pecan Park Eagles
Last Game: n/a (still active)
Draft: Not Applicable

Outfielder/pitcher Bill McCurdy never played for the Browns, but he converted to Browns fandom as a kid in 1951 because of his admiration for Ned Garver. Although he only got to follow the Browns rabidly for the final three years of their existence, the club will never really be gone-for-good from his heart.

Please forgive me the indulgence of including myself here with all the proper disclaimers on this last day of daily posting. It's my little self-indulgent birthday present to myself on this rather fitting day for a wrap-up to this nearly 17-month old thread. - Hope we've all learned something along the way about our Browns. The research and writing has been my pleasure.

I'll still be around here, even if I'm not posting daily anymore. Please feel free to contact me anytime at [email protected]

Regards & Happy New Year,

Bill :atthepc



Deaths on December 31st



Harry Dorish

Harry Dorish.

Birth Name: Harry Dorish
Nickname: Fritz
Born On: 07-13-1921
Born In: Swoyersville, Pennsylvania
Zodiac: Cancer
Died On: 12-31-2000
Died In: Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Cemetery: St. Mary's Annunciation Church Parrish Cemetery, Pringle, Pennsylvania
College: None Attended
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 5-11
Weight: 206
First Game: 04-15-1947 (Age 25)
Last Game: 09-28-1956
Draft: Not Applicable

Pitcher Harry Dorish had a 10-year (1947-1956) MLB career record of 45 wins, 43 losses, and an ERA of 3.83. In his only year with the 1950 Browns, Dorish was 4-9 with an ERA of 6.44. - Pitcher Harry Dorish passed away in 2000 at the age of 79.

Today's Reference Link ... http://www.baseball-almanac.com/

Happy New Year, Everybody! - And "GO BROWNS - FOREVER!"

[Bill_McCurdy]

December 30th - 2nd Time Around

1 Daily Post To Go Til This History Thread is Completed! ...


On This Date in History!




Births on December 30



Pete Laydon



Birth Name: Peter John Laydon
Nickname: None
Born On: 12-30-1919
Born In: Dallas, Texas
Zodiac: Capricorn
Died On: 07-18-1982
Died In: Edna, Texas
Cemetery: Layden Family Cemetery, Edna, Texas
College: University of Texas
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 5-11
Weight: 185
First Game: 04-28-1948 (Age 28)
Last Game: 07-15-1948
Draft: Not Applicable

Outfielder Pete Laydon played baseball at the University of Texas before making his way to the St. Louis Browns for a brief stay in 1948. Laydon went26 for 104 (.250) in 41 games for the '48 Browns and was then gone-for-good from the big league scene for all time. Pete Laydon was 62 when he died in 1982. - BCT/GB, Pete Laydon - & Hook 'Em!



Deaths on December 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 played college baseball at Oklahoma A&M and then went on to a major league career, breaking in on September 9, 1913 with the Cleveland Naps. Cleveland traded Billings to the Browns in March 1919 in exchange for another catcher, Les Nunamaker. For his career (1913-1923), Billings played for 11 seasons. He caught for the Browns from 1919 to 1923 in very limited service. Over his entire big league career, Billings played in only 243 games in 11 seasons, hitting only .217 with 0 homers. - Josh Billings was 89 when he died in 1981.

Today's Reference Link ... http://www.baseball-almanac.com/

[Bill_McCurdy]

December 29th - 2nd Time Around

2 Daily Posts To Go Til This History Thread is Completed! ...


On This Date in History!


December 29, 1919: Red Sox Acquire Future Brown Eddie Foster.

Steady Eddie Foster Has a Later Date With Destiny in St. Louis.

In a move that stirs the wintry embers of the New England Hot Stove League, the Boston Red Sox send outfielder Braggo Roth and 2nd baseman Red Shannon to Washington for pitcher Harry Harper, outfielder Mike Menoskey and 3rd baseman Eddie Foster. On August 15, 1922, the Browns will acquire Foster on waivers from the Red Sox. Foster will hit .306 in 37 games for the '22 Browns and become one of the reasons they almost win their first pennant that year. Foster stood only 5'6", but he was considered by many as the best hit-and-run guy of his era. Foster's clutch hitting once knocked out Eddie Plank's last shot at a no-hitter. In 1917, the 42-year old Plank had gone 8 2/3 innings against the Senators and was closing in on the big fish. Unfortunately for Plank, he then walked a batter and had to face Eddie Foster. Foster promptly doubled home the runner to end Plank's hope for the no-no. On this date in history, December 29, 1919, Foster was on his way to the Red Sox, but he would have a later more important role in the history of the St. Louis Browns.



Births on December 29



William Lusk "Bill" McAllester is born on December 29, 1889 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. McAllester will play baseball at the University of Tennessee and then see one year of action as a catcher in 39 games for the 1913 Browns. He will hit go 13 for 85 - good enough for a .153 BA and a one-way ticket back to Palookaville. McAllester will die in his birth city at the age of 80 on March 3, 1970.



George Wilson "George" Aiton is born on December 29, 1890 in Kingman, Kansas. Wilson will go 4 for 17 (.235) as an outfielder for the 1912 Browns and then disappear forever from the big leagues. Wilson will die on August 16, 1976 in Van Nuys, California at the age of 85.



William Hart "Bill" Knickerbocker is born on December 29, 1911 in Los Angeles, California. Knickerbocker will enjoy a nine-year career in the big leagues (1833-1942) as a middle infielder for five different clubs. He will play one season for the 1937 Browns and hit .261 in 121 games. His career BA will end up at a pretty fair .276 over 897 games. Knickerbocker will die at the age of 51 in Sebastopol, California. The date of his death was September 8, 1963.



Thomas Herbert "Tom" Upton is born on December 29, 1926 in Esther, Missouri. Upton will play three years in the majors (1950-1952) as a middle infielder and all but 5 of at bats for the '52 Senators will be taken as a Brown. Upton finishes with a .225 BA for 525 total AB's.

Happy 79th Birthday, Tom Upton!



Deaths on December 29



George Franklin "George" Blaeholder


George Blaeholder

George Blaeholder dies at nearly age 45 on December 29, 1947 in Garden Grove, California. The 5' 11" righthander racked up 90 wins and 111 losses for the Browns from 1925 to 1935. He was moved to the Athletics early in the 1935 season and he finished his career in 1936 with the Indians. His career record was 104 wins, 125 losses, and an E.R.A. of 4.54. Blaeholder was born on January 26, 1904 in Orange, California.



Walter Ernest "Walt" Alexander dies at age 87 on December 29, 1978 in Fort Worth, Texas. Alexander was a catcher for the 1912-1913 and 1915 Browns and he hit .188 for his total 162-game career (1912-1917). Alexander was born on March 3, 1891 in Atlanta, Georgia.



Edward Arthur "Ed" Albrecht dies at age 70 in Cahokia, Illinois. Albrecht was 1-1 as a righthanded pitcher for the 1949-1950 Browns in his total career as a big leaguer. He was born on February 28, 1929 in Affton, Missouri.



Today the Browns made up for all the birthdays and funerals they missed on December 28th.

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

[urlhttp://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/F/Foster_Eddie.stm[/url]

http://www.todayinbaseballhistory.com/