Be among the first to get your St. Louis Browns logo shirts. Order 2 or 3 or more, because shipping applies to your first article while all the rest have FREE shipping. You'll be surprised on how many people recognize the logo and ask you where you got it.
Also available is a limited number of player jerseys. You can see both and link to both by visiting the Browns Merchandise Mart. Go to: http://brownsmerchandise.blogspot.com/.
Or you can take a short-cut to check out the shirts, caps and more at http://stlbrowns.qbstores.com/. Shirts are available in short or long sleve, men or women, T-shirts, denim and more. You can order and pay online for both the Jersey or shirts.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
River City Rascals Salute St. Louis Browns Historical Society & Eddie Gaedel Anniversary
August 19 is the date and 1951 is the year when the shortest man in baseball history stepped into the batters box and walked on four pitches. The River City Rascals recreated the event last night and the revived "Eddie Gaedel" also took four pitches. Unfortunately, three of them were strikes and a defiant Gaedel walked back to the dugout. There was no joy in O'Fallon, MO as the mighty Gaedel has struck out.
Prior to the start of the game, Eddie surprised everyone by jumping out of a large cake wheeled on to the field - just as it happened back in 1951. Eddie waved to the crowd and made his way to the Rascals' dugout.
Fans from the St. Louis Browns Historical Society and Fan Club were on hand to cheer for the Rascals. Pictured above is Bill Rogers, Editor of Pop Flys, the Browns Official Publication, along with Nick Hagan in the role of Eddie Gaedel.
The following photos will give you an insight into the festivities. (Click on Photos to Enlarge)
The visiting Oakland County Cruisers went down in order in the top of the first inning. As the Rascals' first batter was about to approach the batters box, Gaedel was announced as the pinch hitter. As he approached the plate, the fans cheered him on . . . only to see him go down on strikes.
Fans from the St. Louis Browns Historical Society and Fan Club were on hand to cheer for the Rascals. Pictured above is Bill Rogers, Editor of Pop Flys, the Browns Official Publication, along with Nick Hagan in the role of Eddie Gaedel.
The following photos will give you an insight into the festivities. (Click on Photos to Enlarge)
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Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Famed home run hitter Bobby Thomson dead at 86
Bobby Thomson, whose "Shot Heard 'Round the World" in 1951 has echoed through baseball history as perhaps the game's most famous home run, has died. He was 86.
Thomson had been in failing health for several years. He died at home in Savannah, Ga., on Monday night, the Fox & Weeks funeral home said Tuesday.
On that October afternoon, with one swing, Thomson transformed a pennant race for one season, and his life forever. He connected off Ralph Branca for a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning in the decisive Game 3 of a National League playoff, lifting the New York Giants over their dreaded rivals, the Brooklyn Dodgers.
The drive into the left-field stands at the Polo Grounds and broadcaster Russ Hodges' ecstatic call of "The Giants win the pennant!" remain one of the signature moments in major league history.
"I never thought it was going to be that big. Hell, no," Branca told The Associated Press from his home in suburban New York. "When we went into the next season, I thought it'd be forgotten."
---------------
More at: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BBO_OBIT_THOMSON?SITE=MOSTP&SECTION=DJSP_COMPLETE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
On that October afternoon, with one swing, Thomson transformed a pennant race for one season, and his life forever. He connected off Ralph Branca for a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning in the decisive Game 3 of a National League playoff, lifting the New York Giants over their dreaded rivals, the Brooklyn Dodgers.
The drive into the left-field stands at the Polo Grounds and broadcaster Russ Hodges' ecstatic call of "The Giants win the pennant!" remain one of the signature moments in major league history.
"I never thought it was going to be that big. Hell, no," Branca told The Associated Press from his home in suburban New York. "When we went into the next season, I thought it'd be forgotten."
---------------
More at: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BBO_OBIT_THOMSON?SITE=MOSTP&SECTION=DJSP_COMPLETE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
The Human Game -
By Bill Borst, founder of the St. Louis Browns Historical Society and Browns Fan Club
Read entire article at:
http://bbprof.wordpress.com/2010/08/17/the-human-game-part-ii/
Baseball is much more than a funny game as Joe Garagiola quipped many years ago.
It is a refreshingly human game that brings to the forefront all the best and the worst facets of human nature.
We all know about the recent scandals with steroids and performance-enhancing drugs but even that is part and parcel of man’s human nature.
This flows from the very nature of the game. They keep score. There are winners and losers. Everyone wants to be a winner.
Conversely, no one wants to lose. But some teams do–just ask the old St. Louis Browns players, survivors from the 1962 Mets and the 1988 Baltimore Orioles, the linear descendants of the Browns.
We have it in our nature to bleed every chance we can to ensure a victory.
Players are no different. When skill is lacking, sometimes players will opt for guile. That’s why they have umpires.
We have it in our nature to bleed every chance we can to ensure a victory.
When skill is lacking, sometimes players will opt for guile. That’s why they have umpires.
Years ago I interviewed an author, Martin Quigley, who had made a study of the physics of the curve ball and other pitches of that era that broke, dipped, dropped or made some unpredictable movement.
His book was entitled The Crooked Pitch — a double entendre he used because many of these pitches were also patently illegal from a rules’ standpoint because they had been doctored that is, foreign substances had been added surreptitiously to cause the pitch to behave in a funny manner.
These crooked pitches included the shine, mud, coffee and the most infamous–the spit ball.
These pitches were outlawed for all but a select list of current pitchers who were grandfathered in.
This all happened in the wake of the death of Ray Chapman, who in August of 1920 became the first and so far onlymajor league player to be liked during a game.
A Carl Mays side-winding fastball struck him in the temple, breaking his neck in the process. After lingering for several hours he died the next morning.*
So dirty was the ball that Mays was using that Chapman could not see it.
Since then Major League baseball has done everything to stop this practice.
Early modern pitchers from the 50s-70s like Preacher Roe, and Gaylord Perry became notorious for teasing the public with does he or doesn’t he types of questions.
The doubt just added to their unpredictability.
In a book a few years ago, Derek Zumsteg documented just how players have cheated over the years.
When he was a player, Hall of Fame manager, John McGraw used to grab the belt of a tagging runner at third base, trying to impede his ability score.
-----------------
Click here to read the rest of the story:
http://bbprof.wordpress.com/2010/08/17/the-human-game-part-ii/
Read entire article at:
http://bbprof.wordpress.com/2010/08/17/the-human-game-part-ii/
Baseball is much more than a funny game as Joe Garagiola quipped many years ago.
We all know about the recent scandals with steroids and performance-enhancing drugs but even that is part and parcel of man’s human nature.
This flows from the very nature of the game. They keep score. There are winners and losers. Everyone wants to be a winner.
Conversely, no one wants to lose. But some teams do–just ask the old St. Louis Browns players, survivors from the 1962 Mets and the 1988 Baltimore Orioles, the linear descendants of the Browns.
We have it in our nature to bleed every chance we can to ensure a victory.
Players are no different. When skill is lacking, sometimes players will opt for guile. That’s why they have umpires.
We have it in our nature to bleed every chance we can to ensure a victory.
When skill is lacking, sometimes players will opt for guile. That’s why they have umpires.
Years ago I interviewed an author, Martin Quigley, who had made a study of the physics of the curve ball and other pitches of that era that broke, dipped, dropped or made some unpredictable movement.
His book was entitled The Crooked Pitch — a double entendre he used because many of these pitches were also patently illegal from a rules’ standpoint because they had been doctored that is, foreign substances had been added surreptitiously to cause the pitch to behave in a funny manner.
These crooked pitches included the shine, mud, coffee and the most infamous–the spit ball.
These pitches were outlawed for all but a select list of current pitchers who were grandfathered in.
This all happened in the wake of the death of Ray Chapman, who in August of 1920 became the first and so far onlymajor league player to be liked during a game.
A Carl Mays side-winding fastball struck him in the temple, breaking his neck in the process. After lingering for several hours he died the next morning.*
So dirty was the ball that Mays was using that Chapman could not see it.
Since then Major League baseball has done everything to stop this practice.
Early modern pitchers from the 50s-70s like Preacher Roe, and Gaylord Perry became notorious for teasing the public with does he or doesn’t he types of questions.
The doubt just added to their unpredictability.
In a book a few years ago, Derek Zumsteg documented just how players have cheated over the years.
When he was a player, Hall of Fame manager, John McGraw used to grab the belt of a tagging runner at third base, trying to impede his ability score.
-----------------
Click here to read the rest of the story:
http://bbprof.wordpress.com/2010/08/17/the-human-game-part-ii/
Coming: Browns Polo Emblem Shirt; T-Shirts & Jerseys
Send an e-mail to stlbrowns@swbell.net. Show subject as: "Send Browns Shirt Info."
(Click on Photo to Enlarge)
Friday, August 13, 2010
Interesting Facts About Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby, nicknamed "The Rajah", was a Major League Baseball second baseman and manager.
Born: April 27, 1896 in Winters, Texas.
Hornsby's first name, Rogers, was his mother's maiden name.
Height: 5’11"
Rogers Hornsby spent the majority of his playing career with the St. Louis Cardinals, though he also had short stints with the Chicago Cubs, the Boston Braves, and the New York Giants, and he ended his career as the player-manager of the St. Louis Browns.
Married: Sarah Martin (1918), Jeanette Pennington Hine (1924) and Marjorie Berniece Frederick (1957).
Rogers Hornsby is the only player to win the National League Triple Crown twice.
Rogers Hornsby was so obsessed with hitting that he refused to watch movies or read newspapers (except to check his batting average) for fear of corrupting his eyesight.
His career batting average of .358 is the highest in National League history, and also the highest in major league history for any right-handed hitter.
Seven National League Batting Titles (1920-1925, 1928)
His batting average for the 1924 season was .424, a mark that no player since has matched.
Rogers Hornsby is the only member of the 40–400 club—having 40 or more home runs and batting .400 or more in the same season.
The Baseball Hall of Fame elected Hornsby in 1942.
Died: January 5, 1963 in Chicago, Illinois.
Born: April 27, 1896 in Winters, Texas.
Hornsby's first name, Rogers, was his mother's maiden name.
Height: 5’11"
Rogers Hornsby spent the majority of his playing career with the St. Louis Cardinals, though he also had short stints with the Chicago Cubs, the Boston Braves, and the New York Giants, and he ended his career as the player-manager of the St. Louis Browns. Married: Sarah Martin (1918), Jeanette Pennington Hine (1924) and Marjorie Berniece Frederick (1957).
Rogers Hornsby is the only player to win the National League Triple Crown twice.
Rogers Hornsby was so obsessed with hitting that he refused to watch movies or read newspapers (except to check his batting average) for fear of corrupting his eyesight.
His career batting average of .358 is the highest in National League history, and also the highest in major league history for any right-handed hitter.
Seven National League Batting Titles (1920-1925, 1928)
His batting average for the 1924 season was .424, a mark that no player since has matched.
Rogers Hornsby is the only member of the 40–400 club—having 40 or more home runs and batting .400 or more in the same season.
The Baseball Hall of Fame elected Hornsby in 1942.
Died: January 5, 1963 in Chicago, Illinois.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Special Guests at Fan Club 2010 Luncheon
The Fan Club Luncheon on July 16 included a number of Special Guests. Among them were the following.
Erma M. Bergmann (Bergie) - Amateur Softball and Professional Baseball Player (Click on Photo to Enlarge)
A St. Louis native, Bergmann grew up playing baseball with her two brothers until at age 14 she was asked to play organized amateur softball. At age 19 she was asked to try out professionally for the All American Girls Baseball League in Pascagula, Ms. Bergmann, one of the real players from the movie "A League of Their Own", made the team and was recruited to play for the Muskegon Lassies in 1946. This was the first time in U.S. history women played professional baseball. Known for her strong throwing arm, Bergmann pitched a no hitter against the Grand Rapids Chicks...a career highlight. Bergmann pitched in this extraordinary baseball league from 1946 to 1951. After baseball ended, Bergmann returned to St. Louis and became one of the first pioneer policewomen in 1956. Bergmann retired after 25 years of honorable service in 1981.
Fred Buchholz - Batboy for St. Louis Browns
Fred served as a batboy for both the St. Louis Browns and Cardinals, as well as every visiting AL team. He was recently featured on the Bob Costas narrated program, "MLB Network Remembers: The Eddie Gaedel Story.”
Rosanne Delsing - Wife of Jim Delsing, St. Louis Browns
Jim Delsing was a popular player with the Browns from 1950-52. He also played for the White Sox, Tigers, Yankees and Athletics. Rosanne is the mother of PGA golfer, Jay Delsing.
Bill DeWitt, III - President, St. Louis Cardinals
Bill DeWitt III was appointed president after the 2007 season and was previously the team's vice-president of business development.
Joan DeWitt McKean
Ms. McKean is the daughter of Browns owner Bill DeWitt Sr. She resides in Grosse Point, Michigan. Sportswise, Ms. McKean is a 4-time Michigan bridge champion who competed last year with 3,000 bridge players from across America and Mexico.
Chuck Diering – St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles
Diering, a St. Louis native and Beaumont High graduate, was drafted by the Browns/Orioles in November 1953 and ended up being the Orioles team MVP for 1954. He was the last original Oriole still with the team, departing June 24, 1956. He played in 396 games for the Cardinals from 1947-1951 and was the everyday centerfielder between Stan Musial and Enos Slaughter in 1949.
Bo Drochelman - Grandson of George Sisler, St. Louis Browns
Julie Drochelman - Great Granddaughter of George Sisler, St. Louis Browns
George Sisler, ranked as the #1 player in the history of the Browns, played for the team from 1915 - 1927. He was the AL batting champ in 1920 & 1922.
Charlie Hopkins - Browns Minor League System
Charlie Hopkins was a standout catcher for the San Antonio Missions during the early ‘50s. Catching future major leaguers such as Ryne Duren. (Charlie Hopkins Photo Shown)
Archie Jones - Browns Minor League System
Jones signed with the Browns in 1953 and was assigned to play with the Pine Bluff Judges in the Class C Cotton States League. Upon completion of military service the following year, he played with the San Antonio Missions and Lubbock Class B League, which was now part of the Baltimore Orioles farm system.
Greg Marecek - Founder/President, St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame
The St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame became a reality in 2009. The HOF will tell the stories with artifacts and presentations on the great tradition of sports in St. Louis.
Bob Muncrief, III - Grandson of Bob Muncrief, St. Louis Browns
Pitched for the Browns from 1937 - 1947. Also played for the Indians, Cubs, Pirates and Yankees.
Erma M. Bergmann (Bergie) - Amateur Softball and Professional Baseball Player (Click on Photo to Enlarge)
Fred Buchholz - Batboy for St. Louis Browns
Fred served as a batboy for both the St. Louis Browns and Cardinals, as well as every visiting AL team. He was recently featured on the Bob Costas narrated program, "MLB Network Remembers: The Eddie Gaedel Story.”
Rosanne Delsing - Wife of Jim Delsing, St. Louis Browns
Jim Delsing was a popular player with the Browns from 1950-52. He also played for the White Sox, Tigers, Yankees and Athletics. Rosanne is the mother of PGA golfer, Jay Delsing.
Bill DeWitt, III - President, St. Louis Cardinals
Bill DeWitt III was appointed president after the 2007 season and was previously the team's vice-president of business development.
Joan DeWitt McKean
Ms. McKean is the daughter of Browns owner Bill DeWitt Sr. She resides in Grosse Point, Michigan. Sportswise, Ms. McKean is a 4-time Michigan bridge champion who competed last year with 3,000 bridge players from across America and Mexico.
Chuck Diering – St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles
Diering, a St. Louis native and Beaumont High graduate, was drafted by the Browns/Orioles in November 1953 and ended up being the Orioles team MVP for 1954. He was the last original Oriole still with the team, departing June 24, 1956. He played in 396 games for the Cardinals from 1947-1951 and was the everyday centerfielder between Stan Musial and Enos Slaughter in 1949.
Bo Drochelman - Grandson of George Sisler, St. Louis Browns
Julie Drochelman - Great Granddaughter of George Sisler, St. Louis Browns
George Sisler, ranked as the #1 player in the history of the Browns, played for the team from 1915 - 1927. He was the AL batting champ in 1920 & 1922.
Charlie Hopkins - Browns Minor League SystemArchie Jones - Browns Minor League System
Jones signed with the Browns in 1953 and was assigned to play with the Pine Bluff Judges in the Class C Cotton States League. Upon completion of military service the following year, he played with the San Antonio Missions and Lubbock Class B League, which was now part of the Baltimore Orioles farm system.
Greg Marecek - Founder/President, St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame
The St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame became a reality in 2009. The HOF will tell the stories with artifacts and presentations on the great tradition of sports in St. Louis.
Bob Muncrief, III - Grandson of Bob Muncrief, St. Louis Browns
Pitched for the Browns from 1937 - 1947. Also played for the Indians, Cubs, Pirates and Yankees.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Browns Luncheon with Lasorda & Costas on Local TV and Internet
The July 16 luncheon of the St. Louis Browns Fan Club is set to be broadcast three times during the coming week. This is the luncheon with guests Tommy Lasorda and Bob Costas. The times are:
Saturday, Aug. 14 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 15 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The video is available through Charter Cable and ATT u-Verse television on the following channels.
Charter - Channel 994
ATT u-Verse – Channel 99
On u-Verse, your screen will show this as a LOCAL GOVERNMENT, EDUCATION AND PUBLIC ACCESS channel. Follow the instructions on the screen. The next screen will allow you to access various public information from various localities. We assume you will need to select the ST. LOUIS CHANNELS to access the program. I assume this may be the same with Charter Cable.
The video is a service of News Channel 20. You can also view the luncheon on the Internet by going to http://www.news20tv.com at the above times. Click on the GTN logo to go live.
Now . . . this will probably be a first for you as it was for me. While I knew the Local Government and Public Access channels were there, it was one I have never watched . . . so we’re all learning something new. I guess we will all find out if this works come Thursday evening. You may want to check out your appropriate TV channel and also visit the News20tv.com web site beforehand.
The luncheon will also be available on DVD. We expect to receive copies within the next few days. (Click on Photos to Enlarge)
If you're not a member of the St. Louis Browns Historical Society and Fan Club, please consider a donation of only $25 to help support programs of this nature . . . and receive the Browns magazine, Pop Flies. Just send a short note along with your check payable to the St. Louis Browns Fan Club to Rick Stamper, 509 Geyer Rd., Kirkwood, MO 63122.
Saturday, Aug. 14 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 15 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The video is available through Charter Cable and ATT u-Verse television on the following channels.
Charter - Channel 994
ATT u-Verse – Channel 99
On u-Verse, your screen will show this as a LOCAL GOVERNMENT, EDUCATION AND PUBLIC ACCESS channel. Follow the instructions on the screen. The next screen will allow you to access various public information from various localities. We assume you will need to select the ST. LOUIS CHANNELS to access the program. I assume this may be the same with Charter Cable.
The video is a service of News Channel 20. You can also view the luncheon on the Internet by going to http://www.news20tv.com at the above times. Click on the GTN logo to go live.
The luncheon will also be available on DVD. We expect to receive copies within the next few days. (Click on Photos to Enlarge)
If you're not a member of the St. Louis Browns Historical Society and Fan Club, please consider a donation of only $25 to help support programs of this nature . . . and receive the Browns magazine, Pop Flies. Just send a short note along with your check payable to the St. Louis Browns Fan Club to Rick Stamper, 509 Geyer Rd., Kirkwood, MO 63122.
River City Rascals Salute St. Louis Browns at Ballgame August 19; Tickets Available On-line
The St. Louis Browns Historical Society and the River City Rascals are teaming up for a St. Louis Browns Fan Club night at the ballpark. Please join us on Thursday, August 19 at T.R. Hughes Ballpark in O’Fallon, MO. The park is conveniently located 35 miles west of downtown St. Louis just off Interstate 70. Join with us in a salute to Eddie Gaedel (baseballs only midget player) and the St. Louis Browns.
The game is an important fund raiser for the St. Louis Browns Historical Society. Please help support the history of major league baseball in St. Louis by joining us on August 19. Game time is 7:05 p.m. against the Oakland County Cruisers.
Tickets are available at $10 per person (a 10% discount). We have a block of reserved seats for fan club members so you will have lots of opportunities to talk Browns baseball with other fan club members.
You can order and pay for tickets on-line using MasterCard, VISA, Discover or American Express by going to our special website below. Your tickets will be mailed to you the next day and confirmed via e-mail.
Click Here: http://rascaltickets.blogspot.com/
Our credit card processing is handled through PayPal. You do not have to be a member of PayPal in order to use this service. The above link will take you to their secured website for processing.
Or you can purchase by mail. Send your check payable to the St. Louis Browns Fan Club to:
St. Louis Browns Fan club
P.O. Box 510047
St. Louis, MO 63151-0047
If you have any questions, please contact us by e-mail or phone. We hope to see you at the ballpark on Augst 19.
Bill Rogers
St. Louis Browns Fan Club
Tel: 314-892-8632
stlbrowns@swbell.net
Click Here For Tickets: http://rascaltickets.blogspot.com/
The game is an important fund raiser for the St. Louis Browns Historical Society. Please help support the history of major league baseball in St. Louis by joining us on August 19. Game time is 7:05 p.m. against the Oakland County Cruisers.
Tickets are available at $10 per person (a 10% discount). We have a block of reserved seats for fan club members so you will have lots of opportunities to talk Browns baseball with other fan club members.
You can order and pay for tickets on-line using MasterCard, VISA, Discover or American Express by going to our special website below. Your tickets will be mailed to you the next day and confirmed via e-mail.
Click Here: http://rascaltickets.blogspot.com/
Our credit card processing is handled through PayPal. You do not have to be a member of PayPal in order to use this service. The above link will take you to their secured website for processing.
Or you can purchase by mail. Send your check payable to the St. Louis Browns Fan Club to:
St. Louis Browns Fan club
P.O. Box 510047
St. Louis, MO 63151-0047
If you have any questions, please contact us by e-mail or phone. We hope to see you at the ballpark on Augst 19.
Bill Rogers
St. Louis Browns Fan Club
Tel: 314-892-8632
stlbrowns@swbell.net
Click Here For Tickets: http://rascaltickets.blogspot.com/
Thursday, August 5, 2010
The Striped Bat of Goose Goslin
(Click on Photo to Enlarge)
This was the first time in baseball history that a camouflaged bat was used. It was designed by Willis Johnson, club secretary, who planned to equip other players with bats decorated with cross-rings, blocks and triangles until the “higher ups” declared the use of the bat illegal.
Brown Stockings Join Greater St. Louis Baseball Historical Society
The newest team of the Greater St. Louis Base Ball Historical Society (GSLBBHS ) takes a storied nickname. The St. Louis Brown Stockings, the third member club of GSLBBHS, will begin play at Emmenegger Park in Kirkwood.
The new team has been assembled by Tony “Lightning” Wicker, previously a member of the St. Louis Perfectos and the University City Lions.
“When I first started playing with the St. Louis Perfectos, I fell in love with the game, sportsmanship, and promotion of how the game was played in the 1860s,” Wicker said. “I knew then, that I wanted to start a team closer to home sometime in the future after I learned more about how to start a team and be able to run a team. I used the help of several members of the Perfectos to help get ideas on starting a team.”
Wicker’s nine plays in Kirkwood, Mo., a western suburb of St. Louis. With the addition of the Brown Stockings, the St. Louis area now boasts six teams, three of which are in the GSLBBHS (St. Louis Perfectos, Lafayette Square Cyclone BBC and Brown Stockings) and three others (St. Louis Unions, University City Lions and St. Charles Capitals).
The Brown Stockings lost both games of a doubleheader to the St. Louis Unions April 3.
“After we had our first matches, everything was worth it,” said Wicker. “We looked good, had fun, helped promote the game, were very respectful of one another, showed tremendous sportsmanship as that was the gentleman thing that was going on back then. We had a lot of comments of how the uniforms looked and how we played. With the help of my three other members and the Greater St. Louis Base Ball Historical Society, we are proud to be members of the GSLBBHS and that we are putting a very worthy product on the field to help promote vintage base ball.”
For the latest information on the Brown Stockings, please see www.tiptopworks.com/brownstockings/ or www.tiptopworks.com/gslbbhs/ .
Historically, the Brown Stockings were a St. Louis nine who entered the National Association in 1875. The team made the move to the National League as a founding member in 1876. George Washington Bradley pitched the first no-hitter in the National League as a member of the Brown Stockings.
The team played two seasons before going out of business in 1877 during the aftermath of a game-fixing scandal.
The name remained popular even after the team’s demise. In 1882, Chris von der Ahe entered a team called the Brown Stockings into the American Association. This team later had its name shortened to the Browns and it entered the National League by that name in 1892. The Browns became the St. Louis Perfectos in 1899 and the Cardinals the following season. The National League Cardinals have been one of the most successful teams in the league’s history.
In 1902, the Milwaukee Brewers of the new American League moved to St. Louis and took the name Browns. The team played AL baseball until moving to Baltimore to become the Orioles after the 1953 season.
“We looked at names for our team,” said Wicker. “Playing vintage base ball the way the game was played, I wanted to find a name of historical significance to help promote the game. With a lot of help from the Internet and my girlfriend, I was able to find that the first professional base ball team in St. Louis was the Brown Stockings in 1875. It wasn’t until much later, that I was able to understand the timeline of the Brown Stockings. Not only were the Brown Stockings the first base ball team in St. Louis, but they were the beginning of the St. Louis Cardinals organization. And they were started in time even before the Perfectos, so now we have two teams in the Greater St. Louis Base Ball Historical Society that both represent the birth of the St. Louis Cardinals organization.”
“When I first started playing with the St. Louis Perfectos, I fell in love with the game, sportsmanship, and promotion of how the game was played in the 1860s,” Wicker said. “I knew then, that I wanted to start a team closer to home sometime in the future after I learned more about how to start a team and be able to run a team. I used the help of several members of the Perfectos to help get ideas on starting a team.”
Wicker’s nine plays in Kirkwood, Mo., a western suburb of St. Louis. With the addition of the Brown Stockings, the St. Louis area now boasts six teams, three of which are in the GSLBBHS (St. Louis Perfectos, Lafayette Square Cyclone BBC and Brown Stockings) and three others (St. Louis Unions, University City Lions and St. Charles Capitals).
The Brown Stockings lost both games of a doubleheader to the St. Louis Unions April 3.
“After we had our first matches, everything was worth it,” said Wicker. “We looked good, had fun, helped promote the game, were very respectful of one another, showed tremendous sportsmanship as that was the gentleman thing that was going on back then. We had a lot of comments of how the uniforms looked and how we played. With the help of my three other members and the Greater St. Louis Base Ball Historical Society, we are proud to be members of the GSLBBHS and that we are putting a very worthy product on the field to help promote vintage base ball.”
For the latest information on the Brown Stockings, please see www.tiptopworks.com/brownstockings/ or www.tiptopworks.com/gslbbhs/ .
The team played two seasons before going out of business in 1877 during the aftermath of a game-fixing scandal.
The name remained popular even after the team’s demise. In 1882, Chris von der Ahe entered a team called the Brown Stockings into the American Association. This team later had its name shortened to the Browns and it entered the National League by that name in 1892. The Browns became the St. Louis Perfectos in 1899 and the Cardinals the following season. The National League Cardinals have been one of the most successful teams in the league’s history.
In 1902, the Milwaukee Brewers of the new American League moved to St. Louis and took the name Browns. The team played AL baseball until moving to Baltimore to become the Orioles after the 1953 season.
“We looked at names for our team,” said Wicker. “Playing vintage base ball the way the game was played, I wanted to find a name of historical significance to help promote the game. With a lot of help from the Internet and my girlfriend, I was able to find that the first professional base ball team in St. Louis was the Brown Stockings in 1875. It wasn’t until much later, that I was able to understand the timeline of the Brown Stockings. Not only were the Brown Stockings the first base ball team in St. Louis, but they were the beginning of the St. Louis Cardinals organization. And they were started in time even before the Perfectos, so now we have two teams in the Greater St. Louis Base Ball Historical Society that both represent the birth of the St. Louis Cardinals organization.”
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