1944 St. Louis Browns season
Encyclopedia
The St. Louis Browns
season was a season in American baseball
. It involved the Browns finishing first in the American League
with a record of 89 wins and 65 losses. In the World Series
, they lost to the crosstown Cardinals
, four games to two.
-winners in history; in nine out of the previous 10 seasons, they had finished in the second division. However, 1944 was the peak of wartime baseball. The shortage of players dragged the talent level of the entire league down, which benefitted the team.
The 1944 Browns were relatively untouched by the military draft. Nine players on the roster were 34 years old or older. Their all-4F infield included 23-year-old shortstop Vern Stephens
, who led the league in RBI (109) and was second in home runs (20).
St. Louis started the season with nine straight wins and continued to hang tough in a four-team race with Detroit
, Boston
, and New York
. It came down to the final week, when the Browns defeated the Yankees five times, winning the pennant by 1 game over Detroit. It would be the only championship the franchise would ever win in St. Louis.
(4) vs. AL St. Louis Browns (2)
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
season was a season in American baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
. It involved the Browns finishing first in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
with a record of 89 wins and 65 losses. In the World Series
1944 World Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 4, 1944 at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, MissouriGeorge McQuinn hit the Brown's only home run of the series to put his team ahead in the fourth inning, while Denny Galehouse outpitched World Series veteran Mort Cooper to hold on for the win.-Game 2:Thursday, October 5,...
, they lost to the crosstown Cardinals
1944 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 63rd season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 53rd season in the National League. The Cardinals went 105-49 during the season and finished 1st in the National League. In the World Series, they met their town rivals, the St. Louis Browns...
, four games to two.
Offseason
- February 17, 1944: Frankie HayesFrankie HayesFrank Witman Hayes was an American professional baseball player. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball from to and, was highly regarded for his defensive abilities. He played most of his career for Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics and also spent time with the St. Louis Browns,...
was traded by the Browns to the Philadelphia AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
for Sam ZoldakSam ZoldakSamuel Walter Zoldak was a Major League Baseball pitcher for nine seasons. He was nicknamed "Sad Sam". He played for the St. Louis Browns from 1944 to 1948, the Cleveland Indians from 1948 to 1950, and the Philadelphia Athletics from 1951 to 1952.-Early life:He was born in Brooklyn, New York...
and Barney Lutz (minors). - Prior to 1944 season: Owen FriendOwen FriendOwen Lacey Friend was a Major League Baseball second baseman for five different teams between 1949 and 1956. Listed at 6'1, 180 lb., Friend batted and threw right-handed. Nicknamed "Red," he was born in Granite City, Illinois.Strictly a line drive hitter, Friend entered the majors with the St...
was signed as an amateur free agent by the Browns.
Regular season
The Browns were one of the unlikeliest pennantPennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
-winners in history; in nine out of the previous 10 seasons, they had finished in the second division. However, 1944 was the peak of wartime baseball. The shortage of players dragged the talent level of the entire league down, which benefitted the team.
The 1944 Browns were relatively untouched by the military draft. Nine players on the roster were 34 years old or older. Their all-4F infield included 23-year-old shortstop Vern Stephens
Vern Stephens
Vernon Decatur Stephens was an American shortstop in professional baseball who played 15 seasons in the American League for four different teams. A native of McAlister, New Mexico, Stephens batted and threw right-handed...
, who led the league in RBI (109) and was second in home runs (20).
St. Louis started the season with nine straight wins and continued to hang tough in a four-team race with Detroit
1944 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished second in the American League with a record of 88-66, just one game behind the first place St...
, Boston
1944 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing 4th in the American League with a record of 77 wins and 77 losses.- Opening Day lineup :- Roster :- Starters by position :...
, and New York
1944 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the team's 42nd season in New York, and its 44th season overall. The team finished in third place in the American League with a record of 83-71, finishing 6 games behind the St. Louis Browns. New York was managed by Joe McCarthy...
. It came down to the final week, when the Browns defeated the Yankees five times, winning the pennant by 1 game over Detroit. It would be the only championship the franchise would ever win in St. Louis.
Season chronology
- May 26, 1944: In a game against the Boston Red Sox1944 Boston Red Sox seasonThe Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing 4th in the American League with a record of 77 wins and 77 losses.- Opening Day lineup :- Roster :- Starters by position :...
, Nels PotterNels PotterNelson Thomas Potter was a professional baseball pitcher. He played all or part of twelve seasons in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals , Philadelphia Athletics , Boston Red Sox , St...
retired the first 23 batters and was on his way to pitching a perfect game when Jim TaborJim TaborJames Reubin Tabor , also nicknamed "Rawhide", was a Major League Baseball third baseman who played for the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies . Tabor was born in New Hope, Alabama. He batted and threw right-handed.Tabor came to the Red Sox late in the 1938 season and hit .316 in 19 games...
got a hit in the 8th inning. - June 15, 1944: Frank DemareeFrank DemareeJoseph Franklin Demaree born Joseph Franklin Dimaria in Winters, California was an American baseball outfielder. He played all or part of twelve seasons in the majors for the Chicago Cubs , New York Giants , Boston Braves , St. Louis Cardinals and St...
was released by the Browns. - July 20, 1944: Nels PotterNels PotterNelson Thomas Potter was a professional baseball pitcher. He played all or part of twelve seasons in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals , Philadelphia Athletics , Boston Red Sox , St...
took to the hill against Yankees’ pitcher Hank BorowyHank BorowyHenry Ludwig Borowy was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1942 through 1951, Borowy played for the New York Yankees , Chicago Cubs , Philadelphia Phillies , Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers...
. The Yankees third base coach Art FletcherArt FletcherArthur Fletcher was an American shortstop, manager and coach in Major League Baseball. Fletcher was associated with two New York City baseball dynasties: the Giants of John McGraw as a player; and the Yankees of Miller Huggins and Joe McCarthy as a coach.Born in Collinsville, Illinois, Fletcher...
noticed that Potter was moistening his fingers. After Browns manager Luke SewellLuke SewellJames Luther Sewell was an American professional baseball player, coach and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Cleveland Indians , Washington Senators , Chicago White Sox and the St. Louis Browns . Sewell batted and threw right-handed...
consulted with Potter, Potter proceeded to make a deliberate motion with his fingers to his mouth. Umpire Cal HubbardCal HubbardRobert Calvin Hubbard was a professional American football player and later an umpire in Major League Baseball, and is a member of three major sports halls of fame...
ejected Potter from the game. On July 22, American League President Wil Harridge suspended Potter for 10 days for throwing an illegal pitch. Potter was the first pitcher to be suspended by Major League Baseball for that reason. - Every team in the league hosted a game where net proceeds went toward the National War Relief and Service Inc. On July 26, the second game versus the Philadelphia Athletics1944 Philadelphia Athletics seasonThe Philadelphia Athletics season involved the A's finishing 5th in the American League with a record of 72 wins and 82 losses.- Spring training :...
was that game. Everyone had to pay their way into the stadium including team management, umpires and players. The crowd of 24,631 was the greatest for a Browns home game since the team’s first night game in 1940. Oscar Zahner, chairman of the benefit game committee, announced that $25,000 was raised. - On August 3, the Browns played the minor league Kansas City BluesKansas City Blues (American Association)The Kansas City Blues are a former minor league baseball team located in Kansas City, Missouri, in the Midwestern United States. The team was one of the eight founding members of the American Association....
. The Browns lost the game by a score of 9-8. The attendance was 5,965, which was Kansas City’s best attendance all season. Despite losing, the Browns got 14 hits and Gene Moore went 4-5 with three runs batted in. - August 8 marked the Browns 70th consecutive day in first place. This broke the club’s previous record of 69 days in first place, which was set in 1922.
- The Browns beat the New York Yankees on August 12. It marked the first four game series victory over the Yankees since 1940.
- Browns pitcher Nels PotterNels PotterNelson Thomas Potter was a professional baseball pitcher. He played all or part of twelve seasons in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals , Philadelphia Athletics , Boston Red Sox , St...
and Washington player George CaseGeorge CaseGeorge Washington Case was an American left and right fielder in Major League Baseball who played most of his career for the Washington Senators...
got into an altercation on August 22. The result was a bench clearing brawl and Potter, Case, and Washington player Ed Butka were ejected. - On September 4, the Browns found themselves out of first place. The Browns slipped to a half game behind the New York Yankees with 22 games left.
- On October 1, the last day of the season, St. Louis clinched the pennant with a come-from-behind 5-2 victory over New York on two home runs by Chet LaabsChet LaabsChester Peter Laabs was an American outfielder in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Detroit Tigers , St. Louis Browns and Philadelphia Athletics...
and one by Vern StephensVern StephensVernon Decatur Stephens was an American shortstop in professional baseball who played 15 seasons in the American League for four different teams. A native of McAlister, New Mexico, Stephens batted and threw right-handed...
. - The final series between the Browns and the Senators had its share of tension. In the first game of the series, Senators pitcher Roger Wolff hit Vern Stephens with a pitch. Browns manager Luke Sewell waved a bat in the direction of the pitcher.
- September 21 was the final game between the Browns and the Senators. Browns catcher Tom Turner engaged in a fist fight with Senators player Roberto Ortiz. The two players lined up in a boxing formation in the middle of the field. Ortiz broke his hand and this was bad for the Browns as the Senators were finishing the season against the Detroit Tigers. At the time of the Browns-Senators game, the Tigers were in first place. The conflicts strained the friendship of Washington manager Ossie Bluege and Luke Sewell. The two were teamamates in Washington from 1933-34.
- After the Browns farm team, the Toledo Mud HensToledo Mud HensThe Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
was eliminated from the American Association, the Browns called three players to bolster their team for their stretch run. The callups were Earl Jones (10-6 for the Mudhens), infielder Len Schulte (.296 batting average, 96 RBI’s), and outfielder Babe MartinBabe MartinBoris Michael "Babe" Martin , was an Major League Baseball outfielder for the St. Louis Browns and a catcher for the Boston Red Sox .Martin was born in Seattle, Washington...
, the American Association Most Valuable Player. - With six games left in the season, the Browns and Tigers had identical 84-64 records. The last six games of the season for the Browns were against the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees.
Opening Day lineup
| Hal Epps Hal Epps Harold Franklin "Hal" Epps was an outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Browns, and Philadelphia Athletics.Although he only spent parts of four seasons in the majors, Epps had an 18-year professional baseball career... |
CF |
| Don Gutteridge Don Gutteridge Donald Joseph Gutteridge was an American second and third baseman, coach and manager in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Browns, Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates, and later managed the Chicago White Sox in 1969-1970... |
2B |
| George McQuinn George McQuinn George Hartley McQuinn was a left handed, Major League Baseball first baseman.-Early life:A native of Arlington, Virginia, and a graduate of Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, Virginia,-Baseball career:... |
1B |
| Vern Stephens Vern Stephens Vernon Decatur Stephens was an American shortstop in professional baseball who played 15 seasons in the American League for four different teams. A native of McAlister, New Mexico, Stephens batted and threw right-handed... |
SS |
| Gene Moore | RF |
| Milt Byrnes Milt Byrnes Milton John "Skippy" Byrnes was an outfielder in Major League Baseball. He played for the St. Louis Browns from 1943 to 1945.-External links:... |
LF |
| Mark Christman Mark Christman Marquette Joseph Christman was an American professional baseball player. He had a nine-year career in Major League Baseball, primarily as a third baseman and shortstop, for the Detroit Tigers , St. Louis Browns and Washington Senators... |
3B |
| Frank Mancuso Frank Mancuso Frank Octavius Mancuso was a catcher in Major League Baseball who played for two teams between 1944 and 1947. Listed at 6' 0", 195 lb., Mancuso batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Houston, Texas. His older brother, Gus Mancuso, also was a major league catcher... |
C |
| Jack Kramer Jack Kramer (baseball) John Henry Kramer was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played with four different teams between 1939 and 1951. Listed at 6' 2", 190 lb., Kramer batted and threw right-handed. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana.... |
P |
Roster
| 1944 St. Louis Browns | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coach |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 89 | 239 | 60 | .223 | 1 | 25 | |
| 1B | 146 | 516 | 129 | .250 | 11 | 72 | |
| 2B | 148 | 603 | 148 | .245 | 3 | 36 | |
| 3B | 148 | 547 | 148 | .271 | 6 | 83 | |
| SS | 145 | 559 | 164 | .293 | 20 | 106 | |
| OF | 128 | 407 | 120 | .295 | 4 | 45 | |
| OF | 105 | 402 | 121 | .301 | 5 | 44 | |
| OF | 110 | 390 | 93 | .238 | 6 | 58 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 288 | 86 | .299 | 6 | 45 | |
| 88 | 244 | 50 | .205 | 1 | 24 | |
| 44 | 97 | 17 | .175 | 0 | 5 | |
| 66 | 201 | 47 | .234 | 5 | 33 | |
| 35 | 72 | 17 | .236 | 1 | 7 | |
| 22 | 62 | 11 | .177 | 0 | 3 | |
| 16 | 51 | 13 | .255 | 0 | 6 | |
| 25 | 49 | 13 | .265 | 0 | 4 | |
| 15 | 25 | 8 | .320 | 0 | 4 | |
| 8 | 14 | 5 | .357 | 0 | 2 | |
| 3 | 8 | 2 | .250 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | 4 | 3 | .750 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | ---- | 0 | 0 |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | 153 | 9 | 10 | 3.12 | 80 | |
| 35 | 198 | 13 | 9 | 3.55 | 67 | |
| 33 | 257 | 17 | 13 | 2.49 | 124 | |
| 33 | 219.1 | 13 | 8 | 3.08 | 88 | |
| 32 | 232 | 19 | 7 | 2.83 | 91 | |
| 3 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 1.42 | 1 |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | 92.2 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 4.47 | 22 | |
| 23 | 80.1 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 4.15 | 35 |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | 81 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 2.44 | 46 | |
| 18 | 38.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.72 | 15 | |
| 11 | 24.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.29 | 11 | |
| 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4.50 | 1 |
1944 World Series
NL St. Louis Cardinals1944 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 63rd season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 53rd season in the National League. The Cardinals went 105-49 during the season and finished 1st in the National League. In the World Series, they met their town rivals, the St. Louis Browns...
(4) vs. AL St. Louis Browns (2)
| Game | Score | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Browns 2, Cardinals 1 | October 4 |
| 2 | Cardinals 3, Browns 2 (11 innings) | October 5 |
| 3 | Browns 6, Cardinals 2 | October 6 |
| 4 | Cardinals 5, Browns 1 | October 7 |
| 5 | Cardinals 2, Browns 0 | October 8 |
| 6 | Cardinals 3, Browns 1 | October 9 |
Awards and honors
All-Star Game1944 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1944 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 12th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 11, 1944, at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania the home...
- George McQuinnGeorge McQuinnGeorge Hartley McQuinn was a left handed, Major League Baseball first baseman.-Early life:A native of Arlington, Virginia, and a graduate of Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, Virginia,-Baseball career:...
, starter - Vern StephensVern StephensVernon Decatur Stephens was an American shortstop in professional baseball who played 15 seasons in the American League for four different teams. A native of McAlister, New Mexico, Stephens batted and threw right-handed...
, starter - Bob MuncriefBob MuncriefRobert Cleveland Muncrief was a Pitcher for the St. Louis Browns , Cleveland Indians , Pittsburgh Pirates , Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees ....
, reserve
Team leaders
- Home runs – Vern StephensVern StephensVernon Decatur Stephens was an American shortstop in professional baseball who played 15 seasons in the American League for four different teams. A native of McAlister, New Mexico, Stephens batted and threw right-handed...
(20) - RBI - Vern StephensVern StephensVernon Decatur Stephens was an American shortstop in professional baseball who played 15 seasons in the American League for four different teams. A native of McAlister, New Mexico, Stephens batted and threw right-handed...
(109) - Batting average - Mike KreevichMike KreevichMichael Andreas "Mike" Kreevich was an American Major League Baseball player who was primarily an outfielder during the 1930s and 1940s. He was born in Mount Olive, Illinois, and batted and threw right-handed.-Career:...
(.301) - Hits - Vern StephensVern StephensVernon Decatur Stephens was an American shortstop in professional baseball who played 15 seasons in the American League for four different teams. A native of McAlister, New Mexico, Stephens batted and threw right-handed...
(164) - Stolen bases - Don GutteridgeDon GutteridgeDonald Joseph Gutteridge was an American second and third baseman, coach and manager in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Browns, Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates, and later managed the Chicago White Sox in 1969-1970...
(20) - Wins - Nels PotterNels PotterNelson Thomas Potter was a professional baseball pitcher. He played all or part of twelve seasons in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals , Philadelphia Athletics , Boston Red Sox , St...
(19) - Earned run average - George CasterGeorge CasterGeorge Jasper Caster nicknamed "Ug," was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball with the Philadelphia Athletics , St. Louis Browns , and Detroit Tigers . Born in Colton, California, Ug appeared in 376 major league games and compiled a record of 76-100 in 1377-2/3 innings pitched...
(2.44) - Strikeouts - Jack KramerJack Kramer (baseball)John Henry Kramer was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played with four different teams between 1939 and 1951. Listed at 6' 2", 190 lb., Kramer batted and threw right-handed. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana....
(124)
Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: NewarkThe source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.