Eager to perform in the Big-Show, 11 rookie pitchers, all bulging with enthusiasm, offered hope to die-heart Brownie fans. However, even with the young blood of its pitching staff, the Browns stayed in last place in 1911, winning just 45 games, losing 105 in 1911, before moving up slightly to 7th place with a 53-101 record in 1912.

1911 St Louis Browns Rookie Pitchers

* Jeff Pfeffer Right-handed Pitcher, born in Seymour Illinois he broke into the Big-Show at 23-years of age and pitched in relief in just two games for Browns in1911, did strikeout 4 batters in 10 innings of work. After spending all of 1913 in the minors, the 6-ft, 3-inch, 210-pounder signed a contract with Brooklyn in 1913. A power-pitcher, using a rapid fastball Pfeffer became one of the best known pitching stars of the day. He won a total of 23 games, losing 12, with a stingy 1.97 ERA in his first full major league season, 1914, then went 19-14 and posted a whopping total of 25 games with 11 losses, completed 30-of-37 starts for Brooklyn in 1916. Edward Pfeffer career stats: 158-112 record, 2.77 ERA, 347 Games, 289 GS, 194 GC, 836 Strikeouts (Ks) in 2407 innings, Browns 1911; Brooklyn 1913-1921; Cardinals 1921-24; Pittsburgh 1924.

* Lefty George St Louis Browns ¡¦born in Pittsburgh - in his first major league season, Thomas George appeared in 27 games, completed 6-of-13 starts, while fashioning a 4.18 earned run average (ERA), pitched one shutout and allowed 136 hits in 116 1/3 innings. He was traded to Cleveland prior to the next season, 1912, where he had a 0-5 record. Lefty George career stats: 7-21 record, 3.85 ERA, 52 Games, 26 GS, 14 GC, 74 Strikeouts (Ks), 98 Walks, 285 hits, in 243 innings. Browns 1911; Cleveland 1912; Cincinnati 1915; Boston Braves 1918, career batting average .152 in 55 games.

* Joe Willis Left handed Pitcher born in Ironton Ohio He made his major league debut at 21-years-old in 1911 with Browns, then after pitching only one game was traded in mid-year cross-town to the St. Louis Cardinals. That season he completed one of three starts, for a 0-2 record, 4.50 ERA in 22 innings. He posted career-highs with the Red Birds the next year, 1912, going 4-9 W/L, a 4.44 ERA, completing 4-of-17 starts, relieved in 14 others, collected 55 Ks in 129 innings. Joseph Willis career stats: 4-11 record, 4.63 ERA in 161 1/3 innings spanning 41 games, 20 starts. Browns 1911; Cardinals 1912-13.

St Louis Browns Pitchers 1911

Records:

Joe Lake 10-15 W/L, 3.30 ERA in 30 Games, Jack Powell 8-19, 3.29 ERA in 31 Games, Lefty George 4-9, 4.18 ERA in 27 G, Earl Hamilton 5-12, 3.97 ERA in 32 Games

Roy Mitchell 4-8, 3.85 ERA in 28 G, Barney Pelty 7-15, 2.97 ERA in 28 G, Albert Red Nelson 3-9, 5.22 ERA in 16 G, Mack Allison 2-1, 2.05 ERA in 3 G, Bill Bailey 0-3, 4.55 ERA in 7 G, Charles Curly Brown 1-2, 2.74 ERA in 3 G, Elmer Brown 1-1, 6.61 ERA in 5 G

Dode Criss 0-2, 8.35 ERA in 4 G, George Curry 0-3, 7.47 ERA in 3 G, Howie Gregory 0-1, 5.14 ERA in 3 G, Bill Harper 0-0, 6.75 ERA in 2 G, Ed Hawk 0-4, 3.35 ERA in 5 G, Walter Moser 0-2, 21.60 ERA in 2 G, Jeff Pfeffer 0-0, 7.20 ERA in 2 G, Joe Willis 0-1, 5.14 ERA in 1 G

* Edward Hawk Rookie Browns Pitcher Right-handed born in Neosho Missouri. He pitched one season in the majors and used a fastball plus change up in an attempt to baffle hitters. A native of Missouri Ed Hawk joined St Louis in 1911 and compiled a 0-4 record with a solid 3.35 ERA, completed all 4 of his starts, allowed 38 hits in 37 2/3 innings, struck out 14, walked 8.

* Curly Brown Browns Pitcher Left handed. born in Spring Hill Kansas He had a solid 2.74 ERA in 16 innings on the mound as a rookie in 1911. The next year made 23 mound appearances, completed 2-of-11 starts, pitched a shutout, working 120 1/3 innings. Charles Brown career record: 3-8 W/L record, 4.20 ERA, 28 Games, 12 GS, 5 GC, 128 2/3 innings, 52 Ks, 50 Walks¡¦Browns 1911-1913; Cincinnati 1915.

* Howard Gregory Rookie Pitcher Right-handed. born in Hannibal Missouri He was all-around athlete, he had his days of Big League Glory as a rookie in 1911, his only major league season. Started one game, relieved in two others, had a 0-1 record in 7 innings on the mound. 

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