Browns Luncheon 2010 Set for July 16

Mark your calendar for the 2010 Luncheon of the St. Louis Browns Fan Club. The event is set for Friday, July 16 at 11:30 a.m. We are looking at an expanded program for this year's event. This will be the 26th reunion of the Browns Fan Club. Make plans to attend today.

Former Browns players will be on hand to chat with you, sign autographs and have photos taken plus we expect some surprise guests. Exhibits and memorabilia will be available for display.

An official notice will be sent to all fan club members this spring.

Virgil Trucks: Two No-Hitters in One Season

Virgil Trucks played in 517 games as a pitcher, primarily for the Detroit Tigers. He also played for the St. Louis Browns, New York Yankees and the Kansas City Athletics. Trucks pitched two no-hitters and a one-hitter in the same season.

Virgil "Fire" Trucks today, living in Alabama.

Trucks with the Tigers after one of his no-hitters

St. Louis Browns in the 1960s

In 1967, the 38-year-old Larsen was called up by the Cubs for 12 days. He hadn't played in the majors since 1965.

Browns to Play in Farmington in Kitty League

Kitty League action will return to Farmington, Mo. this year, but things won't be the same as they were in the summer of 2008 when the league last played there. The team will have a new look, new ownership and even a new name, according to The Daily Journal, a newspaper in Park Hills, Mo.

New owner Ted Kapnick said last month the Farmington club will have no ties to the city's charter member of the KIT League, the Firebirds. To distance the team from the previous franchise, Kapnick's club will be called the Browns, paying homage to the former St. Louis Browns of the American League. To further the connection to the now defunct professional team just up the road from Farmington, the new Browns will be outfitted in complete vintage 1934 St. Louis Browns uniforms, both home and away.

The Browns will join a depleted Kitty League, with only four of last year's six franchises active in 2010. Marion, Owensboro, Fulton and Tradewater will round out the five-member circuit. Sikeston and Union City will be idle in 2010. To balance the schedule, interleague games will be played with teams from leagues in neighboring states.

Fans will get their first look at the Browns when they open the season at home on June 4.

Holy Cow!! It's Harry Caray's birthday party!!

The broadcasting icon - and one of the most imitated voices and styles to this day - would have been 96 years old, making his birth date March 1, 1914.

Harry's widow Dutchie, held a big party at Harry Caray's Tavern in Chicago, where she unveiled Chicago-based memorabilita at the restaurant that included Harry's signature eyeglasses, Gabby Hartnett's social security card, Ron Santo's 1973 All-Star game ring and 1971 game jersey, Ernie Banks' glove and 1960's bat, Ryne Sandberg's 1989 playoff home run bat, Gordon Beckham's rookie-year glove, Ron Kittle's 1983 Rookie of the Year Award and Paul Konerko's grand-slam ball from the 2005 World Series.

Harry called Cubs games from 1982 until his death in 1997 and his legend spread as nearly all the team's games were carried on superstation WGN in cable systems nationwide.

Before arriving at Wrigley Field, Caray broadcast the Southside White Sox for 11 years after a season in Oakland and 25 years in St. Louis. It was in St. Louis where he became famous as a Cardinals announcer and - going way back to World War II - a voice of the old St. Louis Browns.

Harry died in 1998. Read more at:
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2010/03/holy-cow-its-harry-carays-birthday/1

St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame Taking Shape

The St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame is taking shape. Here's one of the first photos of the display honoring the initial inductees this past fall. The display is located in the Scottrade Center in downtown St. Louis.

(Click on photo to enlarge)

Sisler Elected to College Baseball Hall of Fame

 Former University of Michigan baseball great George Sisler (1913-15) will become the fourth Wolverine in the last three years enshrined into the College Baseball Hall of Fame, the College Baseball Foundation announced Thursday (Feb. 18). Sisler joins former U-M coach Branch Rickey (1910-13) and players Jim Abbott (1986-88) and Barry Larkin (1983-85) in the Hall.

Hall of Fame inductees are chosen based on the votes of more than 110 representatives from coast to coast. Voters include retired and active coaches, media members and previous inductees. To be eligible for the College Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, players must have completed one year of competition at a two-year institution in the CCCAA or NJCAA or a four-year NCAA (Division I, II or III) or NAIA institution.

Sisler and the rest of the 2010 inductees will be honored on July 1, 2010, as part of the College Baseball Foundation's annual celebration of both the past and present of college baseball from July 1 through July 3 in Lubbock, Texas.

Sisler made his mark at Michigan both on the mound and at the plate, but it was his exploits with a bat that gained him the most fame, tallying a career average around .445. Sisler's U-M career began as a member of the first-year engineering school team as a freshman in the intramural league. At the time, freshmen could not play for the varsity squad. His MVP performance over the juniors of the law school in the championship was enough to catch the eye of varsity coach Rickey.

Sisler became an immediate starter in his sophomore season of 1913, leading the Wolverines to a 21-4-1 record, their first 20-win season in history. Sisler finished the 1913 season with a .445 batting average and earned All-America honors for his pitching and outfield play. In 1914, Sisler battled arm trouble on the mound but still managed to hit near .500 at the plate. He returned for the 1915 season, earning All-America accolades for the second time with a .451 average.

Browns No-Hit White Sox on Two Consecutive Days

A bizarre pitching performance of the 1917 season includes the St. Louis Browns and Chicago White Sox. In 2 of 3 games over 2 days, the Browns no hit the Sox - in both games. The Browns had their number for at least one weekend. (Click on Bob Groom Photo to Enlarge)

Neither Ernie Koob nor Bob Groom were particularly great pitchers. Koob went 6-14 with a 3.90 ERA in 1917. For a career he was 24-31 with an ERA of 3.13 over 125 games and ended up with more walks than strikeouts (186 to 121). His final season was 1919 and he died in 1941. Groom was 8-19 (the 19 losses led the AL), with an ERA of 2.94 in 1917. For his career he was 120-150 with a 3.10 ERA over 367 games. He had 783 walks and 1159 strikeouts. He ended his Major League career in 1918, only a year after his no hitter, and died in 1948.

A couple of interesting points to make here: First, it’s the only time the same team threw no hitters on back to back days (in 1968 there were no hitters on back-to-back days, but by different teams, and in 1990 there were two no hitters thrown on the same day, but in different leagues). Second, the Browns were on their way to finishing a dismal 7th (in an 8 team league) 43 games back. The pennant winner? The Chicago White Sox, who won the pennant by nine games and the World Series in six games. So the Sox were a better team, but for one weekend they simply couldn’t buy a hit off two marginal pitchers playing for a weak team in St. Louis.

Who would have guessed it?

Easy Fitness Video: Getting an Old Ballplayer Back in Shape

Getting an old time ballplayer back in shape in the latter years of life requires patience, understanding of the physical and mental limitations of the individual and, among other traits, a caring heart. In my 14+ years of training others, I've learned that the mature adult is among the most appreciative of all age groups. This may be because of their wisdom, perspective or their unending desire to remain independent . . . and to throw that baseball with distance and accuracy.

With the help of physicians I developed a senior fitness training program that's superior to any other product on the market. You would be hard pressed to find a program designed specifically to address elderly fitness requirements while keeping safety the highest priority. This "frame friendly" no impact exercise regimen will help improve flexibility, balance, strength, posture and cardiovascular health. Plus help to ease daily tasks and add years to your life.  (Click on photo to enlarge)

I incorporated this senior fitness regimen into an 30 minute video called "Easy Does It!" Safety, results and quality of life is what you're getting. Order now and keep watching for intermediate and advanced versions. Just click on http://www.cmfitness.com/.

"Easy Does It! Getting Started" for seniors aged 65 and up, and "Easy Does It! Staying Active, Staying Fit" for ages 55 and up.

Satchel Paige allowed a grand slam or two.

Jun 11, 1952 - At Fenway Park‚ Bosox catcher Sammy White clouts a 9th inning grand slam with one out to defeat the Brown's Satchel Paige‚ 11-9.

Paige (5-2) takes a 9-5 lead into the 9th. White completes his home run trot by rounding 3B and crawling from half way home and kissing the plate.

Another rookie provides entertainment to start the inning as Piersall‚ leading off‚ announces to Paige that he is going to bunt. He does just that and beats Paige to 1B‚ where upon he starts mirroring Satchel's moves and yelling "oink‚ oink‚ oink." Evers beats out an infield hit and Piersall continues his antics at 2B.

A now distracted and annoyed Paige walks Kell‚ and one out later‚ forces in a run by walking Goodman. A single by Lepcio sets up White's slam. After the game‚ Browns Clint Courtney opines‚ 'I believe that man is plumb crazy. Yeah‚ he's nuts altogether. I never saw a man do those things. Anywhere."

Three Different Teams With St. Louis Browns Name

There have been three different baseball teams with the St. Louis Browns name. Chronologically, they are:

The St. Louis Brown Stockings were members of baseball's National Association in 1875 and charter members of the National League in 1876-77 before folding.

A second team named the St. Louis Brown Stockings were members of the American Association from 1882-1891 and in 1892 moved to the National League. Today they are known as the St. Louis Cardinals

A third team began as the Milwaukee Brewers in the minor Western League in 1894. In 1900, that league became the American League. In 1901, the team moved to St. Louis and renamed itself the St. Louis Browns. In 1954 the team moved again and is today known as the Baltimore Orioles.

Bob Feller Talks With Bob Costas

Bob Feller appeared on the Bob Costas MLB TV show the other evening. Feller is 90 years of age. He made his major league debut at 17 years of age against the St. Louis Browns and struck out 15 in his first game.

He is still the yougest pitcher in history to win a game and also the youngest to lose a game.  Feller said that Ruth may have been the best pitcher of all time and was definitely the best player of all time. Feller commentd that Satchell Paige would have been one of the top five or ten pitchers in baseball history had he been able to play in the majors.

It was interesting as he talked about how he pitched to Dimaggio. Mays, Williams, Greenburg and others.

He knew Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Matthewson, Grover Cleveland Alexander, and a host of others. Cobb had mellowed by the time he met him and told Feller that he would have "taken him to left field". His almost four years in the Navy kept him from winning 360+ games but he said he wouldn't trade the honor of defending his country for a hundred wins.

Yogi Chases a Monkey, Compliments of Jeff Heath of the Browns

Being a major-league prospect at age 16, I was invited to work out with a number of teams at Yankee Stadium. One day in July of 1947, I was told by then St. Louis Browns right-fielder, Jeff Heath, to remove my uniform belt which he then looped and placed around my neck like a leash. He led toward the Yankee dugout.

“Kid, you see that guy? Well, when we get to him I want you to act like a monkey!” Heath had arms like a blacksmith. If he asked me to act like a monkey, I acted like a monkey. “Ooh ooh ooh,” I squealed, while scratching my chest. Heath laughed as I was chased by Yogi Berra. I kept yelling and pointing: “Heath . . . Jeff Heath made me do it!” (Click on Photo to Enlarge)

The chase was over when I retreated down the dugout steps and into the dark hallway leading to the visitor’s locker room.

Thanks to Mark Weston, Hicksville, NY, that 16 year old kid.

Former Professional Baseball Players Know Food

Mike Shannon, the former Cardinals third basemen, is part of a long list of ex-baseball players who have gone on to have successful careers in the culinary field. Here are just a few of the great foodie contributions from former Major Leaguers:

• Babe Ruth: Built a 32,000-sq.-ft. hot-dog processing plant in his basement, which produced what historians consider "some of America's best-tasting hot dogs that also may have contributed to up to 30,000 cases of food-borne illnesses."

• Dizzy Dean: Known in baseball as the last National League pitcher to win 30 games, and in the culinary industry as the first person to develop genetically modified carrots capable of feeling 84% of human emotions.

• Darryl Strawberry: Wrote the best-selling diet book If It Smells Like Food, Put It Away. I Eat Low-Fat Tire Rubber.

• Nolan Ryan: After retiring and becoming the president of the Texas Rangers, he made it mandatory for the ballpark in Arlington to offer young Rangers fans ice-cream sundaes served in novelty cups shaped like prescription-strength capsules of Advil.

Bobby Bragan, 92, former major league manager dubbed "Mr. Baseball," dies at Fort Worth home

Bobby Bragan, a former major league manager dubbed "Mr. Baseball" for his decades of dedication to the game, has died.

A statement Friday on the website for the Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation announced his death Thursday night at his Fort Worth home. Bragan was 92.

In August 2005, Bragan earned the distinction as the oldest manager of a pro baseball game by leading his former minor league team, the Fort Worth Cats. At the time he was 87.

Bragan, a native of Birmingham, Ala., was a shortstop and catcher during his playing days.

Bragan spent seven seasons as a major league manager for Pittsburgh (1956-57), Cleveland (1958) and the Milwaukee (1963-65) and Atlanta (1966) Braves. He managed Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews and Warren Spahn, and compiled a record of 443-478.

A vote for baseball museum at Al Lang Field

A museum of baseball at Al Lang Field is the perfect solution to what to do with this venerable St. Petersburg landmark.

Spring training is almost as old as the sport itself and our fair city has been intimately linked with the preseason games almost since the beginning. While spring training first came to Florida with pre-season games in Jacksonville in 1888, St. Petersburg made the "Grapefruit League" a reality. Our first baseball game was played on Feb. 27, 1914, after Mayor Al Lang persuaded the St. Louis Browns to train in St. Petersburg. On that day, the Browns lost to the Chicago Cubs, who were training in Tampa and made the trip across the bay by steamboat. Lang then lured the Philadelphia Phillies to St. Petersburg in 1915. No wonder civic leaders later named their first baseball stadium after the city's most famous baseball fan.

Since the history of baseball is so intertwined with spring training and St. Petersburg, this is the perfect place to create a museum to that beloved aspect of the sport. With the building of the new Salvador Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg's (heck, why not call it Florida's?) Museum of Spring Training could be the center of what would quickly be dubbed "The Museum Mile," further reinforcing St. Petersburg's blossoming cultural reputation.

The museum could quickly become a must-do stop for all the baseball fans who flock to Florida. Each team that practiced here could be invited to create its own display. Kids could enjoy practicing their batting in the same cage the big guys do. Families could walk the same paths that Babe Ruth once strolled.

The Preservation Society can create a whole new tour, "The History of Spring Training in St. Petersburg," which would start right at the museum.

Interesting story about the 1947 Browns and Vern Stephens

Thanks to Dwayne Isgrig for this contribution.


The following is an excerpt from the St Louis Globe-Democrat, September 29, 1947. It is from "The Bench Warmer" column by Robert L. Burnes.

One of the nicest gestures of which we have heard in a long time is being turned by the Browns, who did not have too much to be happy about this baseball season.

But with the end of the season yesterday the Globe-Democrat’s Star of the Game contest came to a close and the Browns had a sizable sum of money coming to them.

Three months or so ago, however, when the contest was far from decided, the boys agreed to pool the money. There was only a brief discussion on the matter, but when it was put to a vote, the boys decided almost unanimously to put the money into a kitty.

What are they going to do with it? That’s the nice part of it.

They are purchasing a diamond-studded watch for that finest of trainers, Bob Bauman, and are presenting it to him with their compliments. As one of the boys put it, “He’s been taking care of us for years without any reward, and it’s about time we take care of him.”

To the hundreds of athletes around St. Louis who echo the words that Bob Bauman is the best trainer in the world, this is just about the nicest thing the Brownie players could do.

That isn’t all. They also are purchasing other watches for Whitey Zimmerman, Art Peters and Bauman’s son, Dick, who assist in the clubhouse with the equipment.

Whatever money is then left over will be given to the charitable organizations of the city.

The instigator of all this? One of the boys who might have carted away a nice piece of change. Also a boy who had a great fielding season and practically no one noticed it. Shortstop Vern Stephens. He was named spokesman for the group.

Attaboy, Vern!

St. Louis Browns Mitchell & Ness Sportsman's Track Jacket

Order your St. Louis Browns jacket just in time for spring training. Visit:

http://www.fansedge.com/St-Louis-Browns-Mitchell-Ness-Sportsmans-Track-Jacket-_893256525_PD.html

First African American To Hit Home Run in AL Was With the STL Browns

The great Willard Brown, whom some teammates would call "Sonny" because, they said, Willard would only play hard on sunny days. Sonny Brown was the first African American to hit a home run in the American League -- he borrowed a bat from teammate St. Louis Browns teammate Jeff Heath and hit an inside-the-park homer off Hal Newhouser. When Brown returned to the Kansas City Monarchs -- he only played 21 games in the big leagues -- he apparently told Buck that after the home run, Heath broke the bat.

Roy Sievers Wins Jack Buck Legends Award

Bill Borst's introduction of Roy Sievers, recipient of the Jack Buck Legends Award, December 17, 2009.

===============================

"It is both a privilege and a pleasure for me to be here tonight, representing the St. Louis Browns Historical Society. We started our club 25 years ago so people would not forget that there used to be two teams in St. Louis.

I am also tickled pink to have been invited to present the Jack Buck Legends Award to Beaumont High School’s: Roy Edward Sievers

I will not regale you with a long list of his Sabermetrics but will say Roy had the numbers! As Casey said “You could look it up!” Lets just say that Roy was a legitimate power hitter for several teams, including the Browns, Phillies and a pair of Senators.

He was hitting scores of home runs when players did not get their strength from a pill bottle or… a syringe. Roy’s numbers were so good in 1949 that you could argue---they named the award after him.

Would you believe the Brownies signed him for a pair of baseball spikes? That was their oddest deal since they traded infielder Buzzy Wares for stadium rent in 1913.

Roy was the first American League player to win a ROY and the last Brownie to achieve major recognition.

His boyish smile and good humor belie his 83 years of age. He is the personification of Roy Campanella’s observation that “you need a lot of the little boy in you to play this game.”

"I give you the 1949 ROY, Mr. Roy Sievers."

Sievers receiving award from Bill Borst

40th Annual Jack Buck Awards honor Sievers, Wainwright, Buehrle, others

The prestigious Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis hosted the 40th Annual Jack Buck Awards Thursday night.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz who received the Burnes Broeg Award. Francis Howell North graduate and Chicago White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle got the Hometown Hero Award for his perfect game last season.

Corey Frazier from Maplewood won the High School Coach of the Year.

Sports Personality of the Year went to Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright, who won 19 games last season. Cardinals General Manager John Mozeliak presented the award to Wainwright, who is the 17th Cardinal to win the award.

Other recipients included St. Louis Browns first baseman Roy Sievers, who received the "Legends" Award.

St. Louis University volleyball coach Anne Kordes received the Carl O. Bauer Award for her achievement in amateur athletics.

Pop Flies Magazine in the Mail

The Fall 2009 issue of Pop Flies, the official magazine of the St. Louis Browns Fan Club, is in the mail (Dec. 10). That's the good news. The bad news is that last year it took the Post Office upwards to three weeks to deliver the publication due to the Christmas mail. Just be on the lookout and enjoy. Merry Christmas.

This issue features two known baseball players who were almost members of the St. Louis Browns. We call them "Almost Brownies." You can read all about Tommy Lasardo and Babe Ruth "almost" joining the Browns organization. Since we went to press, we learned about another known name player who was "almost a Brownie."  We'll give you an update in our next issue. (click on photo to enlarge)

A Great Christmas Gift

What a great gift for dad, grandfather, uncle, or any fan of old-time baseball (Baseball when it was a game). Make a donation to the St. Louis Browns Historical Society and we'll rush a copy of Pop Flies to you - or mail it direct as your gift.

Your donation of $25 can be charged to your credit card by clicking on the subscription information in the upper right hand corner of the website.  Or you can mail a check payable to the St. Louis Browns Fan Club to Frank Kane, 443 Fieldcrest Dr., St. Louis, MO  63119.

Yogi Scared To Be a Brownie

From Fay Vincent: essayist and former commissioner of Major League Baseball.

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/dec/04/henrich-one-of-the-greatest-yankees-of-all/

Yogi Berra told me a story once that summed up this Yankee attitude. In his first season, Yogi hit a soft ground ball to second base and in frustration jogged to first base. The next time at-bat, he popped up and again failed to run hard to first. During the next half inning Yogi told me three senior Yankees — Keller, Dickey and Henrich — came down the bench and stood before the rookie.

“Look, kid,” one of them growled, “we saw what you just did. But here we bust our (butt) on every play. We count on winning that World Series money, and our wives count on it. If you want to play that way, we can get you back to St. Louis in a week. Got it?”

Yogi said he was so frightened of being shipped to the lowly Browns that he ran out every ground ball or pop-up from that day forward. That was how the great Yankees enforced their culture, and it certainly was effective. Everyone hustled on those teams from the great DiMaggio down to the newest rookie.

Tommy Henrich, Oldest Yankee Dies at Age 96

Tommy Henrich, 96, a clutch-hitting outfielder for the New York Yankees who played on eight American League championship teams during his 11 big league seasons, died Dec. 1 in Dayton, Ohio. The cause of death was not announced. Mr. Henrich, who was the oldest living former Yankee, joined the team in 1937. Although overshadowed by 10 teammates who were elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Mr. Henrich was known as "Old Reliable" for his steady play and his ability to deliver hits when they mattered most.

In 1941, during the 38th game of DiMaggio's unmatched 56-game hitting streak, the Yankee star entered the eighth inning without a base hit. Mr. Henrich, who often batted directly ahead of DiMaggio in the lineup, dropped a bunt against the St. Louis Browns, allowing DiMaggio to come to the plate. DiMaggio lined a solid single to left-centerfield to keep his streak alive.

More information at:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/02/AR2009120203995.html

or http://bit.ly/5EbtX7

Shorter Blog Address Makes Log On Easier

While the official address of this site is -

http://thestlbrowns.blogspot.com/

you can now access it by typing in a much shorter address as -

bit.ly/mybrowns

Bookmark this address for easier access. Give it a try.

Bob Dillinger, 91, Former St. Louis Brown Dies

Former St. Louis Browns infielder and World War II veteran Bob Dillinger passed away November 7, 2009 at the age of 91 (1918-2009). Dillinger led the American League in hits in 1948 with 207, was an A.L. All-Star in 1949, and was the A.L. stolen base champion for three consecutive seasons (1947-1949). Dillinger played 6 seasons total in the Majors Leagues for the Browns, Athletics, Pirates and White Sox.

In a 2003 interview with Bob Kuenster in Baseball Digest, Dillinger reflected on his All-Star and wartime playing experiences. "We played hard and played to win. You wanted to do good," he said. "Even though it was my first and only All-Star game, I played in those types of games before. During the war, I played on the special service team with guys like Joe DiMaggio, Ferris Fain, Jerry Priddy and other big leaguers. I played center field for DiMaggio's club in Guam in front of 40,000 troops."

Orioles Tie Browns Consecutive Loss Seasons

The Orioles have now spent as many consecutive seasons below .500 as the St. Louis Browns did (12) . Going for lucky 13 fellas?

Since last year’s winning percentage is the second-lowest the team has posted during the 12-year run, 13 seems likely. Having a winning franchise is not as easy as it looks, is it?

Mickelson Got the Last RBI in St. Louis Browns History

From Bill McCurdy, Houston, TX

http://bill37mccurdy.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/ed-mickelson-minor-league-all-star/

Today at 83, Ed Mickelson is a silver-haired Cary Grant type living out his happy life in St. Louis, Missouri. Yesterday at 27, he collected the last run batted in recorded in St. Louis Browns history. He did it in a 2-1 losing cause against the Chicago White Sox on the last day of the 1953 season at old Sportsman’s Park. I wrote a parody to commemorate the event, once upon a time. That signature RBI wasn’t the only thing that Ed ever did in baseball, but it is the thing he wants to be remembered for having done as a member of the Browns’ far from legendary last club on earth back in 1953. The next season, the franchise moved to Baltimore and hatched upon the scene as the Orioles.

In 2007, Ed Mickelson personally wrote his own story and published it through McFarland’s. Still available through Amazon, the Mickelson biography is entitled “Out of the Park: Memoir of a Minor League Baseball All Star.” It’s well written and a good read, detailing Mickelson’s eleven season career (1947-57). He started with Decatur and ended up with Portland, achieving a lifetime minor league batting average of .316 and 108 home runs in 1,089 minor league games played. Ed even went 3 for 9 as a Houston Buff in 1952 before being reassigned by the parent Cardinals club to Rochester. (click on photo to enlarge)

Mickelson also played 18 games total in the major leagues for the 1950 St. Louis Cardinals, the 1953 St. Louis Browns, and the 1957 Chicago Cubs. That record RBI single that scored Johnny Groth from second base in 1953 also was one of only three RBI that Ed managed in his brief major league career. His MLB average of .089 helps to explain his limited action beyond the minor leagues.

Ed Mickelson is one of the nicest people you could ever meet. He’s a bright guy who looks the part of his current role as an aging gracefully first baseman. The BR/TR, 6′3″ and still lanky guy could not better look the part if he tried.

Mickelson compiled a number of honors for his minor league play over the years, but that’s the stuff of Ed’s story in the book. Just one peek here: Ed Mickelson is also notably proud of the fact that he got his first major league hit in the form of a single off the great Warren Spahn back in 1950. I definitely remember Ed’s short 1952 stay with the Buffs too, but the Cardinals didn’t leave him here long enough to do that sad Buff team much good.

Susie Remembers Sportsman's Park and Stan the Man

I am writing to share some of my memories of “Sportsman’s Park” and the Cardinals along with my favorite player Stan “the Man” Musial.

My dad, Matt, was a barber in a St. Louis Hotel and my Mom, Martha, was a clerk there. They got married a few years later. When they started their family, they moved to St. Louis County. My Dad and Mom loved baseball and they took my brother, Patrick, and me to ball games at the old Sportsman’s Park when we were young, then later to Busch Stadium.

One of my aunts had a friend who was a neighbor of Stan Musial. When I was about 9 or 10, I got to meet Stan while visiting his neighbor with my aunt. After that we saw him several times. Through that friendship, he signed a ball for me and one for Patrick and gave them to us. I now have both those balls signed by #6 himself. Patrick passed away at an early age and my parents are also gone.

I also remember times when he gave us signed pictures of himself and us all going to games to see him play. One such time he hit a home run and as he ran the bases, he was looking into the crowd and then waved at us in the bleachers. It made us feel very special to be friends of this great man. Everyone around us thought he was waving to them.

I have Cerebral Palsy and was able to take part in the Easter Seals Camp for about 25 years. After Musial retired from ball, he was on the board of some charities, including Easter Seals, and I got to see him several times there.

In 1995 I came to the New Florence Nursing and Care Center to live. My parents sold our home in Montgomery City and came here to live out their lives. I used to go to their room and we would pop popcorn and have sodas and enjoyed the Cardinal games on TV.

Fred Bird and his driver came out to see us a few times and the driver would ask questions since Fred Bird didn’t talk. I recall his driver asked a question about Stan Musial and I answered it correctly and was given another autographed ball from Stan. All 3 of the signed balls are in a safe place with my friend and caregiver. My first ball got messed up a little from showing it off so much, but the others are in great shape.

I was very young when we all went to Sportsman’s Park and don’t remember all the names of the players. But baseball was always a big part of our family time and still is to me.

Thank you for letting me share my story with everyone.

Sincerely, Susie Ryan.

Living Browns Players - 2009

Chuck Stevens is now the oldest St. Louis Brown in terms of major league debuts. He debuted with the club in September 1941. All living St. Louis Browns have played for the club from 1941-1953.


Name & Birthdate, Plus Age in 2009:

1. George Binks 07/11/14 - 95

2. Virgil Trucks 04/26/17 - 92

3. Marty Marion 12/01/17 - 92

4. Chuck Stevens 07/10/18 - 91

5. Ken Holcombe 08/23/18 - 91

6. Bob Dillinger 09/17/18 - 91  Deceased 11/7/09

7. Fred Sanford 08/09/19 - 90

8. Tom Jordan 09/05/19 - 90

9. Babe Martin 03/28/20 - 89

10. Dick Starr 03/02/21 - 88

11. George Elder 03/10/21 - 88

12. Al LaMacchia 07/22/21 - 88

13. Matt Batts 10/16/21 - 88

14. Bob Savage 12/01/21 - 88

15. Neil Berry 01/11/22 - 87

16. Johnny Hetki 05/12/22 - 87

17. Ray Coleman 06/04/22 - 87

18. Jim Rivera 07/22/22 - 87

19. Duane Pillette 07/24/22 - 87

20. Don Lenhardt 10/04/22 - 87

21. Don Lund 05/18/23 - 86

22. Tom Wright 09/22/23 - 86

23. Les Moss 05/14/25 - 84

24. Billy DeMars 08/26/25 - 84

25. Bill Jennings 09/28/25 - 84

26. Ned Garver 12/25/25 - 84

27. Frank Saucier 05/28/26 - 83

28. Johnny Groth 07/23/26 - 83

29. Lou Sleater 09/08/26 - 83

30. Ed Mickelson 09/09/26 - 83

31. Don Johnson 11/12/26 - 83

32. Roy Sievers 11/18/26 - 83

33. Hal Hudson 05/04/27 - 82

34. Jim McDonald 05/17/27 - 82

35. Al Naples 08/29/27 - 82

36. Billy Hunter 06/04/28 - 81

37. Perry Currin 09/27/28 - 81

38. Joe DeMaestri 12/09/28 - 81

39. Bud Thomas 03/10/29 - 80

40. Don Larsen 08/07/29 - 80

41. Bob Turley 09/19/30 - 79

42. J.W. Porter 01/17/33 - 76

Radio Broadcaster For Eddie Gaedel (Midget) Game

Can someone tell us what broadcaster called Eddie Gaedel's plate appearance over the radio (St. Louis)? Was it recorded?

November 2: This Day in Sports

November 2

1938 -- Babe Ruth applies for the job of St. Louis Browns manager.

1960 -- Roger Maris beats Mickey Mantle, 225-222, for AL MVP

1974 -- Art Modell gets snowed in and misses his first Cleveland Brown game in 33 years.

1991 -- Nevada makes the biggest comeback in NCAA football history, overcoming a 35-point deficit in the third quarter to beat Weber State 55-49.

Anniversary Dinner: Browns Hitting Home Runs While Cards, Mizzou and Blues Lose

The St. Louis Browns were hitting home run after home run at their 25th Anniversary of the St. Louis Browns Fan Club on October 8. As one fan put it, "Those people who were not here don't know what they missed." More than 80 fans - club members, guests, and ball players - heard from former Brown's players, Ned Garver, Ed Mickelson, J.W. Porter and Bud Thomas. Other players present were Roy Sievers and Bill Jennings.

Mike Veeck, son of Bill Veeck, was a featured speaker. Mike gave insight into a family totally dedicated to baseball. Veeck is part owner of 6 minor league teams. He is a consultant and frequent speaker promoting baseball.

Veeck said he called his mother that day to tell her he was speaking to the St. Louis Browns Fan Club. The first thing she said was, “Tell them you’re sorry.” Mike said “For what?” “For moving the team out of St. Louis,” replied mom. Veeck said, “Mom, I was just a kid and didn’t have anything to do with that. It was you guys who moved the team?”

Mike told a story about his dad receiving a call from a fan requesting “the best seats in the house.” Bill Veeck replied, “How about second base. We haven’t used it all year.”

(Mike) Veeck said, “I lived here three years in Sportsman’s Park. When I was invited here, I was a little hesitant. I wasn’t certain what I should say.”

“I walked to the stadium last night and I told my wife, Libby, that the cardinal fans and the people in St. Louis are the best baseball fans in the country. The reason why is when you go to a Cardinal game and you see people wearing hats and shirts from another team, they’re polite. They may razz you all day long, but always polite.”

“My father loved his time here. If it sounds like I’m crazy about my father, I am. My father’s favorite line about St. Louis is, “If as many people who tell me they were there the night I put the midget in were actually there, I’d still be in St. Louis. Thanks for making us feel so welcome.”

 

 

 

 

 

 For even more photos,

Click Here

Allow extra time for large file download.

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Does Baseball Need Umpires

During Friday's playoff game at Yankee Stadium, Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins hit an 11th-inning fly ball down the left-field line that landed clearly fair, a foot inside the line. As millions looked on, umpire Phil Cuzzi, who was standing just 10 feet away, fixed his eyes on the spot and gave his signal: Foul.

This blown call wasn't the only reason the Twins lost the game. They were eventually swept by the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series. But all anyone could talk about was Mr. Cuzzi's gaffe.

Once again in baseball's postseason, a spate of bad calls has turned the focus away from the excitement of October to the competence of the umpires. And like always, the debate has turned to why the men in blue might be prone to making such big mistakes (Are they blind?) and whether there's anything that can be done.

But amid all the yelling, there's another fundamental question that is oddly absent from the debate. Why are there so many umpires in the first place? And do we really need so many of them?

If an institution is only as strong as its founding principles, then the grand tradition of umpiring would be ripe for reexamination. Umpires weren't introduced to baseball to improve the accuracy of calls—they were brought in during the 19th century to cut down on rampant cheating. Historians say players routinely pushed base runners off base, then tagged them out. Runners would occasionally run straight from first to third without touching second.

Eventually, cheating tailed off—but the umpires remained. In fact, they multiplied. In the early days, one umpire was the norm, and that person was chosen by the home team. By the 1930s baseball crews were assigned by the leagues and had three umpires each. The modern, regular-season umpire crew, which has four members, dates from the 1940s—long before television entered the game.

Oddly, in the postseason, when there are even more cameras trained on the field, the number of umpires also expands—to six. This number, too, is a bit of a relic. It came about in 1947 when then-commissioner Happy Chandler decided that the two substitute umpires who usually came to World Series games might as well take the field, too. (What could it hurt?) They were inserted in the outfield.

(Hey, there's more to this story at: http://bleacherreport.com/tb/bYxc)

Sports broadcaster Buddy Blattner dies of lung cancer at 89

Robert G. "Buddy" Blattner, a former major leaguer whose broadcast career included being the longtime voice of the NBA's St. Louis Hawks, has died.

Blattner died Friday of complications from lung cancer at his home in the St. Louis suburb of Chesterfield, his daughter said. He was 89.

Blattner was born in St. Louis in 1920. He began his baseball career with the Cardinals in 1942, then missed the next three seasons while serving in the Navy. Blattner then played three seasons with the Giants and one with the Phillies.

As a broadcaster, he did play-by-play on national games for ABC in 1953 and 1954, and for CBS from 1955 through 1959.

He also did play-by-play stints for the Browns, Cardinals, Angels and Royals.

Why The Cardinals Are Winning

Is it any coincidence that the Cardinals are winning after acquiring Matthew, Mark, Lugo, and John?

(Holliday, DeRosa, Julio, and Smoltz)

This Date in Baseball - August 24

Aug. 24
1940: Outfielder Ted Williams pitched the last two innings for the Boston Red Sox against Detroit at Fenway Park. He allowed one run and three hits but struck out Rudy York on three pitches. The Tigers, behind Tommy Bridges, won 12-1.

1951: St. Louis Browns owner Bill Veeck gave more than 1,000 fans behind his dugout YES and NO placards, allowing them to have a part in the strategy of the game. The fans flashed the cards when asked by the coaches what the Browns should do, and it worked as St. Louis beat the Philadelphia Athletics 5-3.

How Veeck Put Entertainment Into Baseball

Today, August 19, is an important anniversary date in baseball history. An event took place on this date during a game between the St. Louis Browns and the Detroit Tigers. This "event" will never happen again.

The following is an article by Les Kinsolving with WorldNetDaily. You can view the entire article at: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=107192.

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For all who have undergone the horrendous experience of losing a limb – especially those in our armed forces – let me recall one Marine Corps veteran of that World War II bloodbath at Bougainville, who lost his leg.

He died almost a quarter of a century ago, but he remains an absolute legend in the field of bringing unforgettable (if controversial) entertainment to that hardly-renowned-for-humor realm called professional baseball.

He should never, ever be forgotten for one night of the 1951 season, when he was owner of the old St. Louis Browns, those perennially cellar-dwellers who were playing the Detroit Tigers.
Suddenly, the crowd let out a great roar of delighted mirth.

Coming up to bat for the St. Louis Browns was a midget!

His name was Eddie Gaedel.

>> More on this day in history at: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=107192

Win Streak After 40-Games Under

Has any team in baseball, before the 2009 Nationals, ever reached the 90-game mark with a winning percentage under .300 and then managed a winning streak of eight games or longer?

Four teams in baseball history -- so long as we're including the cotton gin era here -- have amassed Win streaks of eight or more after hitting the 40-games-under mark.

In order...

1890 Cleveland Spiders, 10 games, Sept. 13-23. They were 32-82-3 when streak began.

2009 Washington Nationals, 8 games, Aug. 2-. They were 32-72 when streak began.

1907 St. Louis Cardinals, 8 games, Aug. 8-16. They were 23-78 when streak began.

1950 St. Louis Browns, 8 games, Sept. 7-14. They were 44-86 when streak began.

St. Louis Browns All-Stars

The recent All Star game here in St. Louis brought back memories of many St. Louis Browns players who were All Stars in their playing days. Thanks to Cecil Wayne Williams for contributing the following on the Browns All Stars. The following is just a portion of his research.

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During the history of the St. Louis Browns (1902-1953) eighteen different players appeared in the major league All-Star games (a total 29 appearances. Three of those players are still alive.

Bob Dillinger was one of two third basemen for the American League in 1949 as a manager selection. He pinch ran for the starting third baseman, Hall of Famer George Kell of the Tigers in the sixth inning and scored a run. Dillinger went on to single and score a run in the seventh inning. At third, Bob got two assists without an error.

Ned Garver was the starter in the 1951 game as a manager selection. Garver, one of seven Browns pitching selections over the years, is the only Brown to start an All-Star game. He went three innings, giving up one hit, one walk and one unearned run. He also had one strikeout. He left the game with a one to one tie.

The third surviving Brown All-Star is Billy Hunter. He was one of four shortstops selected for the 1953 game at old Crosley Field in Cincinnati. In a written interview, Billy stated he was thrilled to be selected and be a pinch runner in the game. He pinch ran for Mickey Mantle. He did not get an at-bat or play in the field.

There were 20 All-Star games played during the Browns existence (1933-1953). No game was played in 1945 because of a wartime curtailment on travel. As stated above, 18 Browns made 29 appearances in the All-Star games. In the first two years, 1933 and 1934, fans had a hand in picking players with the manager’s assistance. From 1935 through 1946, managers made the selections. From 1947 to the Browns last year in 1953, the eight starters were picked by a fan poll with the managers picking the pitchers and reserve players. Eighteen players were selected for each All-Star team in 1933, 20 in 1934-35, 21 in 1936, 23 in 1937-38 and 25 in 1939 through 1953, the last Browns year.

The 18 Browns All-Stars are as follows:

Beau Bell, 1937
Harlond Clift, 1937
Roy Cullenbine, 1941
Bob Dillinger, 1949
Ned Garver, 1951
Rollie Hemsley, 1935*, 36
Myril Hoag, 1939
Billy Hunter, 1953
Jack Kramer, 1946,47
Chet Laabs, 1943*
Sherm Lollar, 1950
George McQuinn, 1939,40,42,44*
Bob Muncrief, 1944
Bobo Newsom, 1938
Satchel Paige, 1952, 53
Vern Stephens, 1943*,44*,46*
Sammy West, 1933,34,35,37*
Al Zarilla, 1948

*Starter

Sammy West was the first Brown All-Star (1933) and is tied with George McQuinn for the most appearances as a Brown. Rollie Hemsley was the first to start and play an entire game (1935). Ned Garver was the only Browns pitcher to start an All-Star game. Vern Stephens was the only Brown to start each of his All-Star appearances (three). Billy Hunter and Satchel Paige were the last Browns All-Stars (1953).

The first All-Star Game was played at Comiskey Park in Chicago on July 6, 1933. It was the brainchild of Arch Ward, sports editor of the Chicago Tribune, who sold the idea to Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis. This game is remembered for aging Babe Ruth’s two-run homer in the third inning which provided the margin of victory in the A.L.’s 4-2 win.

Found: Uncle in Babe Ruth Photo

We receive a fairly steady stream of letters asking for help in identifying a player or family member, family looking for information on a relative that may have played with the Browns, researching information on Browns uniforms, and others. The following is one of those heart-warming series of letters we received in recent weeks. Every once in a while, we get lucky.
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Mr. Rogers,

In making my way through numerous Google links to finally land on the St Louis Brown's Historical Society and Fan Club page, I am writing to see if you can help me find a photo. My uncle was 10 years old on June 19, 1948 when Babe Ruth made his last appearance at Sportsman's Park. He was one of the kids who ran out onto the field to be in a group photo with Babe Ruth. He was on Babe Ruth's left side with a baseball hat on. I am trying to find out how I can get a copy of the photo. I am not sure what paper it was in and how I go about requesting a copy. Would you be able to help me?

Regards,
Patty

(Click on photo to enlarge)

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Patty, let me know if your uncle is in this photo. Hope this helps. This is the only one I have with the kids around Babe. Picture is below and file attached. The primary newspapers that would have covered this would have been the St. Louis Globe Democrat and/or the Star Times. Both papers were acquired by our present St. Louis Post Dispatch.

Bill

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Bill,

I don’t think I ever thanked you for this photo. My uncle is definitely in it. He passed in 1995 unexpectedly and my aunt was thrilled beyond belief to have a copy of this. She has passed it on to her two boys. As soon as my mother saw it, she remembered it exactly as she had gone to the game with her brother and pushed him to run out on the field! Thank you so much for taking the time to send it to me.

Warm regards,
Patty
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To Bill Rogers:

My niece, Patty, forwarded me the picture taken in 1948 of my husband with Babe Ruth and the kids. It's such a nice picture. My husband looks so sweet. It's a nice memento for me and my two sons.Thank you for taking the time to research this event and send the picture onto Patty.

Beverly

Saints and TOPPS to Induct Former Browns Scout into Scouts Hall of Fame

The hard work of a baseball scout is often overlooked.

Few may realize that the gentlemen critiquing the swing of a prospect in Tampa, aiming a radar gun at a fastball in Cape Cod or noting the fine footwork of a youngster at a high school game in a tiny town are the backbone of any Major League organization. On August 6, the St. Paul Saints will induct Tom Greenwade of the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Yankees into the TOPPS Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame.

Greenwade, who passed away in 1986, is best remembered for signing Mickey Mantle and later Bobby Murcer. He joined the Yankees organization in 1949 and was instrumental in building the clubs dynasty through the 1960s. He also gave Branch Rickey the definitive scouting report that made him decide that Jackie Robinson was the player best suited to integrate the Major Leagues.

Born on August 21, 1904, Greenwade, was a lifelong resident of Willard, Missouri. After a career as a. minor league pitcher and manager, he turned to scouting and became the most successful scout in the history of baseball. He got his start scouting with the St. Louis Browns in 1941. He found time to serve as a civic leader, farmer and banker.

Sievers Lends Support to Fund Raiser

Former Browns standout, Roy Sievers enjoys time with Red Schoendienst, Mike Shannon and Jay Randolpf, Sr. The setting was Mike Shannon's Night at the Races event which raises money for scholarships at CBC, Mike's high school. The fund helps pay tuition for deserving students based upon need.

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Browns Fans Yell FOUL BALL on Election for St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame

Cardinals Hall of Famer Stan Musial, a unanimous choice of a committee of media members and sports figures, heads the first class of inductees into the new St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame.

President Greg Marecek announced the first inductees earlier this month. The remainder of the first class in the baseball category included Bob Gibson, Red Schoendienst, Ozzie Smith, Lou Brock, Yogi Berra and Whitey Herzog.

Additionally, four men will be inducted in a special "oldtimers" class. They are Cardinals Hall of Famers Rogers Hornsby, Joe Medwick and Frankie Frisch in the baseball category.

While all of the players elected in the first class of inductees are excellent players, it looks as if the media members and sports figures didn’t do a lot of homework in their selection when it comes to statistics. At first glance, the inductees look like they were voted in based on media popularity.

Where the homework really needs to be done is in the old timers category. St. Louis had two major league baseball teams for more than 50 years and both teams had outstanding players during this period. The St. Louis Browns were the predominant team during the first 25 years of the last century before the Cardinals took over the spotlight. One obvious oversight was the Browns best player – the equivalent of a Stan Musial or Albert Pujols. The shining star was George Sisler.

If the voters would have done their homework fully, they would have noticed the difference in performance of Sisler to Joe Medwick. Here’s how the two compared. (Click on photo to enlarge)

Games Played
Medwick 1984 – Sisler 2055

At Bats
Medwick 7,634 – Sisler 8,267

Hits
Medwick 2,471 – Sisler 2,812

RBI
Medwick 1,383 – Sisler 1,175

Batting Average
Medwick .324 – Sisler .340
Musial's lifetime average was .331

Slugging Average
Medwick .505 – Sisler .468

Stolen Bases
Medwick 42 – Sisler 375

Positions Played
Medwick OF – Sisler 1B, P

Years Played
Medwick 16 – Sisler 13

We don't mean to balk at the election, but it appears there was an error or perhaps just a fielder's choice. Maybe there were just too many players on the field. We don't want to kill the umpires or maybe this was just a rain delay with play to be resumed at a later date. Maybe George Sisler will be the player to be named later.

St. Louis Born Home Run Hitters

Q. - During the telecast of the All-Star Game Tuesday night, they flashed one of those pieces of trivia on the screen that always make you wonder about how they can possibly keep track of all that stuff. It said that on a list of all pro baseball players born in St. Louis, Ryan Howard ranks third in career home runs. My question, of course, is who are the top two?
-- S.L., of Fairview Heights

A. - In only his sixth pro season, the 29-year-old Phillie slugger has ripped 200 homers (as of Thursday) faster than anyone in baseball history. But he's going to have to keep eating his Wheaties if he's going to surpass the two in front of him, one of whom should be familiar to any fan while the other might have you reaching for a baseball encyclopedia.

At the top of heap is that legendary master of the malapropism, Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra, who, by some accounts, is the best catcher ever to wear the tools of ignorance. One of the great products of The Hill neighborhood, Berra ripped 358 home runs during 18 seasons in his Yankee pinstripes. (Click on photos to enlarge)

Give up on the second? It's Roy Sievers, a St. Louis Browns signee, who, after some early arm and shoulder injuries, starred for the Washington Senators and became a favorite of then Vice President Richard Nixon. Before he retired in 1965, Sievers would belt 318 home runs during stints with five teams.

And, what local sluggers has Ryan Howard belted his way past already? Those who hit more than 100 were Nate Colbert, 173; Elston Howard, 167; Al Smith (of Kirkwood, Mo.), 164; Norm Siebern, 132; and former St. Louis Cardinal Bernard Gilkey, 118.

Browns Race to The Pennant Heats Up

July 18, 1944

Browns Homers Sink Yanks, 8-0

19,003 See Muncrief Fan 9

Appearing before the largest crowd yet far in the season, the Browns "put up a championship exhibition" by beating the Yankees in a shutout. Milt Byrnes, Gene Moore and Chet Laabs each had homers for the Browns.

Get the daily details of the Browns race to the pennant in 1944.
http://www.baseball-fever.com/forumdisplay.php?f=46

Thanks to Dale Isgrig for the daily updates.

Ichiro visits Sisler's grave

During an All-Star Weekend when history is made and honored, Ichiro Suzuki paid respects to a man whose achievements are linked with his own.

Ichiro, in St. Louis for his ninth All-Star Game, visited the grave of St. Louis Browns star George Sisler, whose single-season record of 257 hits was broken by the Mariners outfielder in October 2004.

Sisler's descendants -- including Sisler's 81-year-old daughter, Frances Sisler Drochelman -- had traveled to Seattle to witness Ichiro break the record that was set in 1920, and last weekend, Ichiro returned the gesture.

"I wanted to do that for a grand upperclassman of the baseball world," Ichiro told MLB.com. "I think it's only natural for someone to want to do that, to express my feelings in that way."

Ichiro, accompanied by his wife, Yumiko, and some friends, laid flowers at Sisler's grave, at Des Peres Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Sisler, a Hall of Famer, died on March 26, 1973. His career was marked by a lifetime .340 batting average, and a .407 average in 1920. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1939.

"There's not many chances to come to St. Louis," Ichiro said, according to the Seattle Times. "In 2004, it was the first time I crossed paths with him, and his family generously came all the way to Seattle."

Another All-Star Game might be old hat to Ichiro, who was the MVP of the 2007 game and has won a Gold Glove in each season since entering the major leagues out of Japan in 2001.
But this time, Ichiro got to meet President Barack Obama, who threw out the first pitch. Obama, visiting the clubhouses, stopped and signed a ball for Ichiro, who gave a slight bow upon meeting the President and appeared as giddy and excited as a kid.

"My idea, when I saw him, was to say, 'What's up?' to him," Ichiro said. "But I got nervous. You know, he has that kind of aura about him. So I got nervous and I didn't say that to him. I was a little disappointed about that.

"But I realized after seeing him today that presidents wear jeans, too. So my hope is that our skipper, [Don] Wakamatsu, was watching that and we can wear jeans on our flights, as well."

Browns Debs Garms: The Forgotten Texas Batting Champ!

From Bill McCurdy, Houston, TX

Debs Garms may simply be one of the most underrated players to hail from the Lone Star State.

In a twelve season major league career (1932-35, 1937-41, 1943-45), utility infielder-outfielder Debs Garms batted .293 for his career work on four MLB clubs (St. Louis Browns, Boston Bees, Pittsburgh Pirates, and St. Louis Cardinals.)

In 1938, while playing for the NL Boston Bees, Garms' single with two outs in the 4th inning broke up Johnny Vander Meer's shot at a third consecutive no-hit game for the Cincinnati Reds.

By 1940, Debs Garms won a controversial (by today's standards)National League batting title as a Pittsburgh Pirate by hitting .355 in only 358 official times at bat. Today the rules require a batting champion to have attained 3.1 total plate appearances for each game on his club's season schedule. (That includes official times at bat, walks, all the times a batter reached base because he had been hit by the pitcher, and all those far less frequent times a batter reached base due to catcher's interference.) Had those same qualifying rules been in place back in 1940, Debs Garms would not have qualified for the title due to an insufficient number of total plate trips, but, as folks are inclined to say, he did enough to get it done by the rules in place in 1940. Debs Garms is a native Texan batting champion too, and not just some faceless "Who Dat Guy?".

In 2004, Debs Garms was finally honored by his home state with a posthumous induction into the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame. We only wish it could have come in time to honor the scrappy Texan prior to his death in 1984 at Glen Rose, Texas at the age of 76.

Debs Garms took a lot of pride in his hitting and he protected his bats like a mother hen protects her chicks. All of his theories about the care of wood may or may not have helped him. As you may observe in the above painting by Texas artist Opie Otterstad, Debs believed that it was good for his bats to spend the winter on the roof of his barn. Debs lived on his own ranch near tiny Glen Rose, Texas in the off-seasons and he definitely had a barn that worked out well for bat-tanning. Whether that practice really tempered the wood better - or even bought a few extra base knocks for Garms the following season, who can say?

All we can know from his career numbers is that the guy was a persistently good hitter for average without any long ball power - and a player who would try his hand at just about any position, if it helped his team and also kept him in the game.

We could use a few more people like Debs Garms today - in baseball and in life.
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More on Texas batting champs at: Debs Garms: The Forgotten Texas Batting Champ!