Regarding "Remember the Browns"
(July 8): What a trip down memory lane! It was heartening to read the reverie
on the St. Louis Browns. When I was inspired to form a Browns fan club 28 years
ago, after attending the induction of former Brooklyn shortstop Pee Wee Reese,
I never thought it would last this long. That of itself is a tribute to the
players and fans who have given sustenance to our meager efforts for more than
a quarter of a century. The late Erv Fischer and I nearly pulled the
plug on
the club several times. We had more "last dinners" than the Browns
had eighth-place finishes. The fan club's strength today — just look at the
wonderful exhibit at the Scottrade Center — is a tribute to the leadership of
our chief operating officer, Bill Rogers, and his able assistant, Emmett
McAuliffe. They not only got us out of the 20th century, but they also have
made us look forward to the 22nd century.plug on
the club several times. We had more "last dinners" than the Browns
had eighth-place finishes. The fan club's strength today — just look at the
wonderful exhibit at the Scottrade Center — is a tribute to the leadership of
our chief operating officer, Bill Rogers, and his able assistant, Emmett
McAuliffe. They not only got us out of the 20th century, but they also have
made us look forward to the 22nd century.plug on
the club several times. We had more "last dinners" than the Browns
had eighth-place finishes. The fan club's strength today — just look at the
wonderful exhibit at the Scottrade Center — is a tribute to the leadership of
our chief operating officer, Bill Rogers, and his able assistant, Emmett
McAuliffe. They not only got us out of the 20th century, but they also have
made us look forward to the 22nd century.
The exhibit is the next-to-last jewel in the
crown I envisioned for the St. Louis Browns after our many, many publications,
which have helped to establish their written record. I established our mission
statement mantra when I said that our purpose was to "resurrect and
maintain the historical memory of the old St. Louis Browns."
The last jewel? A research center in some
library or university where we could house our printed materials and archives.
Once that happens, I think I could say "mission accomplished!"
I also thank old friend Bob Costas for his
financial and personal interest in our team. We first met in 1974 when he was
with the Spirits. From that experience, Mr. Costas grew to appreciate
"dead teams." As I would like to tell him some day, the Browns made
his Yankees the success they became. In the late 1920s, the Yankees' Murderers'
Row won 37 straight from St. Louis.
As a fan used to say: We are Brown-hearted,
not downhearted.
Bill Borst • Richmond Heights
Founder and first president, Browns Fan Club
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