1953 St. Louis Browns season
Encyclopedia
The St. Louis Browns
season was a season in American baseball
. It involved the Browns finishing 8th in the American League
with a record of 54 wins and 100 losses, 46½ games behind the AL and World Series champion New York Yankees
in their 52nd and final season in the Gateway City
. After the season, the Browns moved to Baltimore, where they play today, and became the Baltimore Orioles
.
Casey Stengel
kept to his word and named Paige to the 1953 All-Star team despite Paige not having a very good year. He got in the game in the eighth inning. First Paige got Gil Hodges
to line out, then after Roy Campanella singled up the middle, Eddie Mathews
popped out. He then walked Duke Snider
and Enos Slaughter
lined a hit to center to score Campanella. National League pitcher Murry Dickson
drove in Snider, but was thrown out at second base trying to stretch the hit into a double. Paige ended the year with a disappointing 3-9 record, but a respectable 3.53 ERA. Paige was released after the season when Veeck once again had to sell the team.
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 8th 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 54 wins and 100 losses, 46½ games behind the AL and World Series champion New York Yankees
1953 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 51st season for the team in New York, and its 53rd season overall. The team finished with a record of 99-52, winning their 20th pennant, finishing 8.5 games ahead of the Cleveland Indians. New York was managed by Casey Stengel. The Yankees played their home...
in their 52nd and final season in the Gateway City
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. After the season, the Browns moved to Baltimore, where they play today, and became the Baltimore Orioles
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...
.
Offseason
- October 14, 1952: Ray ColemanRay Coleman (baseball)Raymond Leroy Coleman was a professional baseball outfielder. He played five seasons in Major League Baseball, between 1947 and 1952, for the St. Louis Browns , Philadelphia Athletics, and Chicago White Sox.Signed by the Browns as an amateur free agent in 1940, Coleman made his major league debut...
, Bob MahoneyBob MahoneyRobert Paul "Bob" Mahoney was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Browns in and .-External links:...
, Stan RojekStan RojekStanley Andrew Rojek born in North Tonawanda, New York was a shortstop for the Brooklyn Dodgers , Pittsburgh Pirates , St. Louis Cardinals and St...
and $95,000 were traded by the Browns to the Brooklyn DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
for Billy HunterBilly Hunter (baseball)Gordon William Hunter is a retired American shortstop, coach and manager in Major League Baseball.A slick-fielding, light-hitting shortstop from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, the right-handed-batting Hunter was originally signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers. With his path to the majors blocked by Pee Wee...
. - October 16, 1952: Joe DeMaestriJoe DeMaestriJoseph Paul DeMaestri , nicknamed "Froggy," is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago White Sox , St. Louis Browns , Philadelphia & Kansas City Athletics and New York Yankees...
and Tommy ByrneTommy Byrne (baseball)Thomas Joseph Byrne was an American left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for four American League teams from through , primarily the New York Yankees. He also played for the St. Louis Browns , Chicago White Sox and Washington Senators...
were traded by the Browns to the White Sox for Hank EdwardsHank EdwardsHenry Albert Edwards born in Elmwood Place, Ohio was an Outfielder for the Cleveland Indians , Chicago Cubs , Brooklyn Dodgers , Cincinnati Reds , Chicago White Sox and St...
and Willy MirandaWilly MirandaGuillermo "Willy" Miranda Perez was a Cuban-born professional baseball player who played shortstop in the Major Leagues from 1951–1959...
. - October 27, 1952: Jake CrawfordJake CrawfordRufus "Jake" Crawford was a Major League Baseball outfielder who played in 7 games for the St. Louis Browns in ....
was traded by the Browns to the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
for Neil Berry, Cliff MapesCliff MapesClifford Franklin Mapes was a professional baseball player. He played five seasons Major League Baseball as an outfielder for the New York Yankees, St...
and $25,000. - December 4, 1952: Jay PorterJay PorterJ. W. "Jay" Porter is a former Major League Baseball player who played for the St. Louis Browns , Detroit Tigers , Cleveland Indians , Washington Senators , and St. Louis Cardinals . Porter played in 229 major league games, 91 as a catcher, 62 as an outfielder, 16 as a first baseman, and 3 at...
, 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...
and Bob NiemanBob NiemanRobert Charles Nieman was a Major League Baseball outfielder and right-handed batter who played for the St. Louis Browns , Detroit Tigers , Chicago White Sox , Baltimore Orioles , St. Louis Cardinals , Cleveland Indians and San Francisco Giants...
were traded by the Browns to the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
for Johnny GrothJohnny GrothJohn Thomas Groth is a former professional baseball player who played outfield in the Major Leagues from 1946 to 1960. He was born in Chicago, Illinois. He play for the Detroit Tigers , St...
, Virgil TrucksVirgil TrucksVirgil Oliver Trucks is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1941 through 1958, Trucks played for the Detroit Tigers , St. Louis Browns , Chicago White Sox , Kansas City Athletics and New York Yankees . He batted and threw right-handed...
and Hal WhiteHal WhiteHarold George White was an American professional baseball player, a right-handed pitcher for the Detroit Tigers , St. Louis Browns and St. Louis Cardinals...
.
Regular season
- May 6, 1953: In his first major league start, the Browns’ Alva HollomanBobo HollomanAlva Lee "Bobo" Holloman was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Browns in . Holloman pitched in just 22 games in his lone year, with three wins against seven losses. However, he pitched a no-hitter in his first major league start against the Philadelphia...
, known affectionately as "Bobo", pitched a no-hitter against the Philadelphia Athletics1953 Philadelphia Athletics seasonThe Philadelphia Athletics season involved the A's finishing 7th in the American League with a record of 59 wins and 95 losses.- Offseason :...
. The twenty-seven-year-old Holloman struck out three, walked five, and helped himself offensively by batting in three of the Browns’ runs with a pair of singles in the Browns’ 6-0 victory.
Notable transactions
- July 23, 1953: Bobo HollomanBobo HollomanAlva Lee "Bobo" Holloman was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Browns in . Holloman pitched in just 22 games in his lone year, with three wins against seven losses. However, he pitched a no-hitter in his first major league start against the Philadelphia...
was purchased from the Browns by the Toronto Maple Leafs for $7,500. - September 1, 1953: Neil Berry was selected off waivers from the Browns by the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
.
Roster
| 1953 St. Louis Browns | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SS | 154 | 567 | 124 | .219 | 1 | 37 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | 106 | 21 | .198 | 0 | 9 | |
| 3 | 7 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | |
| 17 | 6 | 1 | .167 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 192.2 | 7 | 12 | 4.16 | 96 | |
Other 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | 117.1 | 5 | 13 | 3.07 | 44 | |
| 32 | 99.2 | 4 | 10 | 6.23 | 36 | |
| 33 | 94.1 | 2 | 6 | 6.39 | 23 | |
| 22 | 65.1 | 3 | 7 | 5.23 | 25 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Awards and honors
1953 Major League Baseball All-Star Game1953 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1953 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 20th playing of the mid-summer classic between the All-Stars teams of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 14, 1953 at Crosley Field in Cincinnati, Ohio, home of...
- Satchel PaigeSatchel PaigeLeroy Robert "Satchel" Paige was an American baseball player whose pitching in the Negro leagues and in Major League Baseball made him a legend in his own lifetime...
, reserve
Casey Stengel
Casey Stengel
Charles Dillon "Casey" Stengel , nicknamed "The Old Perfessor", was an American Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in ....
kept to his word and named Paige to the 1953 All-Star team despite Paige not having a very good year. He got in the game in the eighth inning. First Paige got Gil Hodges
Gil Hodges
Gilbert Ray Hodges was an American Major League Baseball first baseman and manager. During an 18-year baseball career, he played in 1943 and from 1947–63, spending most of his career with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers...
to line out, then after Roy Campanella singled up the middle, Eddie Mathews
Eddie Mathews
Edwin Lee "Eddie" Mathews was an American Major League Baseball third baseman. He is regarded as one of the greatest third basemen ever to play the game.-Early life:...
popped out. He then walked Duke Snider
Duke Snider
Edwin Donald "Duke" Snider , nicknamed "The Silver Fox" and "The Duke of Flatbush", was a Major League Baseball center fielder and left-handed batter who played for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers , New York Mets , and San Francisco Giants .Snider was elected to the National Baseball Hall of...
and Enos Slaughter
Enos Slaughter
Enos Bradsher Slaughter , nicknamed "Country", was an American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 19-year baseball career, he played from 1938–1942 and 1946-1959 for four different teams, but is noted primarily for his time with the St...
lined a hit to center to score Campanella. National League pitcher Murry Dickson
Murry Dickson
Murry Monroe Dickson was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball during the 1940s and 1950s...
drove in Snider, but was thrown out at second base trying to stretch the hit into a double. Paige ended the year with a disappointing 3-9 record, but a respectable 3.53 ERA. Paige was released after the season when Veeck once again had to sell the team.