Joseph Darst vows to fight losing the hometown Browns to Baltimore. The St. Louis mayor’s efforts will not be enough to prevent the franchise shifting cities when the team shareholders drop their suit against Bill Veeck and approve the move to the east coast after learning the club will be bankrupt if it stays put.
On March 3, 1953, Boston Braves owner Lou Perini blocks an attempt by the St. Louis Browns to move their franchise to Milwaukee. Since Perini owns the Braves’ minor league affiliate in Milwaukee, he is allowed to invoke “territorial privilege” in preventing the Browns from relocating to Wisconsin. Stating he has not been offered enough…
1952 – Detroit trades P Virgil Trucks, who tossed two no-hitters during the year, along with P Hal White and OF Johnny Groth, to the Browns in exchange for 2B Owen Friend, OF Bob Nieman, and OF/C J.W. Porter.
the forty-something Satchel Paige becomes the oldest pitcher in major league history to pitch a complete game or shutout
Interested in exploring FRANCHISING? We will help you through your journey visit us @ www.franchisingconnection.com On June 10, 1952, the St. Louis Browns fire manager Rogers Hornsby, who had become unpopular with most of the team’s players. A few hours after he fires Roger Hornsby as the manager of the team, Browns president Bill Veeck…
Bob Cain of the St. Louis Browns and Bob Feller of the Cleveland Indians each pitch one-hitters, with the Browns prevailing, 1 – 0. This ties a major league record for the fewest hits by two teams in a game (since broken). Bobby Young hits a triple in the 1st inning and scores on an Al Rosen error as the Browns move into first place. The Indians’ only hit is a single by Luke Easter. For Feller, it is the fourth time he’s tossed a one-hitter against the Browns.
In another of Bill Veeck’s legendary public relations stunts, “Fans Managers’ Night,” the Browns defeat the Athletics, 5 – 3. The Browns’ coaches hold up placards for 1115 fans, who vote “yes” or “no” on the options given 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 first base for several innings. Sherm Lollar voted in to start behind the plate instead of Matt Batts, has three hits including a homer, and Hank Arft, also voted in, knocks home two. Gus Zernial’s 28th home run accounts for all the A’s runs. When the stunt was announced on August 15, A’s GM Art Ehlers bitterly denounced it as “farcical.”
After pitching for Bill Veeck in Cleveland in 1948, Satchel Paige rejoins him with the St. Louis Browns.
On May 15, 1951, the Detroit Tigers acquire pitcher Bob Cain from the Chicago White Sox for pitcher Saul Rogovin. Cain will win 11 games for the Tigers in 1951, but will gain most of his fame for pitching to Eddie Gaedel of the St. Louis Browns on August 19. Cain will walk the diminutive…
On May 3, 1951, Rookie Gil McDougald of the New York Yankees ties a major league record by driving in six runs in one inning. McDougald hits a grand slam and a two-run triple in the ninth inning of a 17-3 demolition of the St. Louis Browns at Sportsman’s Park. McDougald’s record will eventually be…