Saturday, April 11, 2009

Relive the 1944 Pennant Winning Season

Here's your chance to keep up with the Browns on a daily basis during their run for the 1944 pennant. A daily news report and box score is scheduled to be posted on the Baseball Fever website at: http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=89329

You will need to register, but it's FREE and easy. Scroll down to "Relive the glory of the 1944 season" and click to access the .pdf file. You'll find some very interesting reading. The opening day pitcher was Jack Kramer. The first article is from April 18, 1944.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Former Brownie Elected to Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame

National Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder Earl Averill headlines the 2009 Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame class announced today by the League. Frank Demaree, a former St. Louis Browns player, and Johnny Moore, two of the circuit's greatest hitters are also being recognized for their distinguished careers in the PCL.

The 1934 Los Angeles Angels of the PCL are often described as the greatest minor league team of all time and Joseph "Frank" Demaree was a key member of that squad. The 1934 season was also the greatest statistical season for Demaree in his only season with the Angels. He hit .383 with 190 runs, 51 doubles, 45 home runs, and 173 RBI. Not only was he a member of the run-away PCL champions, Demaree was the Triple Crown winner and the Most Valuable Player.

He played for Sacramento 1930-1932, Los Angeles 1934, and Portland 1944-1945 in his six seasons in the PCL. His career also included twelve seasons in the American and National Leagues with stops with the Chicago Cubs, New York Giants, Boston Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, and St. Louis Browns.

This Day in Browns Baseball - April

Today in Browns Baseball

April 14

1910 - Chicago's Frank Smith pitched a one-hitter in the season opener to give the White Sox a win over the St. Louis Browns.

1917 - Ed Cicotte of the Chicago White Sox pitched an 11-0 no-hitter over the St. Louis Browns. George Sisler had four errors in the game.


April 18

1945 - In his major league debut, one-armed outfielder Pete Gray got one hit in four at-bats in the St. Louis Browns' 7-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers.