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1950 St. Louis Browns 1950 St. Louis Browns

Manager Zach Taylor was hoping the Brownies could improve on its 53-101 record in 1949. If fact, they did somewhat, going to 58-96 in 1950

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The Famous "Green Box"

What's a green box and why is it so famous? Well, just like a baseball dugout, that's where the stories are told. The "Green Box" appeared on the Baseball Historian web site during our inception back in 1999 and has been holding kangaroo court ever since. Enjoy the stories...

Old St. Louis Browns... (Reviewing the Players) for 1950
In looking over one of our manager's old "Who's Who in the Major Leagues of Baseball" 1950 edition, we note some interesting facts and player sketches of the old St. Louis Browns of the American League. The book notes - Player sketches by Harold Flachsbart, St. Louis Post Dispatch Newspaper:

Anyway, without further ado, here's the scoop -

"The 1950 Browns are young and enthusiastic for the most part. They are strong for their manager and will give everything in them to win. With that setup, the AL fans of St. Louis can count on a fighting club if not a pennant winner this season."

1950 Regulars -

Manager Zach Taylor... Entering his third season as Brownie Pilot... Zach says, "If our pitchers come through watch us go!" And he's not fooling or boasting. - The Browns finished 1949 at 53-101, 7th in an 8th team league... and were 58-96 in 1950, 7th place again!

Infielders - "Who's Who" list of players slated to start in 1950... A small photo with a short bio:

Bill Sommers, B & T right, He comes up from San Antonio after a disappointing '49 when a bad ankle slowed him down. But he's an able second baseman and is likely to be at that spot for the Browns this year.

Bill Demars, B & T right, Obtained from the A's in the trade for Dillinger, he was considered a top shortstop of the International League. He played with Buffalo last season, hit .278. He looks like the Browns regular this year.

Hank Arft, B & T left, Returns to the Browns last season, and hitting poorly (.224) for the first time in his pro career. He's a long ball slugger, though, and will probably be on first base regularly this year.

Jack Graham, B & T left, The PC league batting champ in '48 played first base well, but couldn't get his batting eye. However, he led the Browns in homers with 24. Graham hit .238, scored 71 runs, 79 RBI.

Frank Gustine B & T right, Back in the big time after batting .294 for Los Angeles (minors) last season. Must be classified as a regular at third and may help the team get going early.

Less Moss, B & T right... Catcher... His '49 BA (.291) was best among all regular catchers in either league. He has improved steadily for the past 3 seasons, and will get first call. Moss hit 11 Ds, 10 HR in 97 games, 81 hits in 278 at bats.

Sherman Lollar, B & T right... Catcher... He made 74 hits good for 109 bases in '49, and will again share the backstopping. He's good defensively, handles pitchers well.

Outfielders: -

Dick Kokos, B & T left. One of the better home run hitters of the league, he plastered 23 last season. Has a fine throwing arm, but aims to boost his '49 BA. Kokos hit .26, including 28 doubles, 80 runs, 77 RBIs in 143 games.

Roy Sievers, B & T right. The sure armed center fielder was AL "rookie of '49." He batted .306, got 28 doubles, 16 homers and led the team with 91 RBI.

Ray Coleman, B left, T right. He's considered one of the top newcomers this year, almost certain to win a regular berth in the Brownie outfield. With Buffalo in '49, he hit .295, batted in 113 runs.

George Elder, B left, T right. Appeared in 41 Brown games last year, and subbed in the outfield... hit .250 11 hits in 44 at bats, including 3 doubles.

Pitchers: -

Ned Garver, B & T right. The serious minded hurler was the only Brown pitcher to work more than 10 complete games last season. He pitched most innings (224) had most strike outs - 70 W 12, L 17.

Cliff Fannin, B left, T right. Sore arm handicapped in '49 after starting season in the dog-house. Means real business this year - and can do. He's a hurler many other teams would like to have.

Tom Ferrick, B & T right. This dependable relief hurler had the best ERA among Brownie flingers last season. He was the only Brown pitcher to get over the .500 mark with 6-4, all in relief.

Bill Kennedy, B & T left. They call him "wild Bill" for good reason. He won only 4, lost 11 last season, but he may arrive yet.

Lou Kretlow, B & T right. He wasn't too effective working 76 innings for Detroit last season. Wildness ruined him, but a change of scenery may be what this fast-baller needs.

Joe Ostrowski, B & T left. The big 6 foot lefty hit the .500 mark with 8 and 8 last season. Used both as a starter and in relief, he gave up only 27 walks in 141 innings.

Frank (Stubby) Overmire, B right, T left. He did some fine pitching for Detroit in '47, but hasn't had much action since. Perhaps a shift with a chance to pitch oftener will help.

Dick Starr, B & T right. Looked great in training a year ago, but became ill. A bad appendix is out now, and Dick should be a winner if he stays healthy. Was 1-7 in 30 games, 83 innings, 4.34 ERA in '49.

Others: - Played for Browns in 1949, but were traded, released or sent to the minors.

Mizell "Whitey" Platt, OF, RH... 3+Star ballplayer, great desire... Hit .258 in 102 games, 8 Ds, 2 Ts, 3 HR, 29 RBIs.

Bob Dillinger, 3B, RH... Rated as one of the best third basemen during this era. Great Base runner... stole 20 bases, batted .324, in 544 at bats, 22 Ds, 13 Ts, 1 HR, 98 Runs, 51 RBIs.

Eddie Pellagrini, Shortstop, RH... hit .238 in 235 at bats, 8 Ds.

Jerry Priddy, Second Baseman, RH... Fine all-around athlete... Traded to Detroit... in 1949, hit .290, 26 DS, 4 Ts, 11 HR, Scored 83 runs, 63 RBIs.

Stan Spence, Outfielder, LH... 4-Star fielder... great arm... made only one error in 90 games, 11 assists. Hit .240 with 13 Hrs.

Andy Anderson, Shortstop, RH... Good fielder, only 6 errors in 138 chances, .957 pct... hit only .125 in 136 at bats.

John Sullivan, Shortstop, RH... hit .226 in 105 games, 8 Doubles

Ray Shore, Pitcher... Posted a 0-1 record in 13 games.

Red Embree, Pitcher... Was 3-13, 5.39 ERA in 127 innings.

Karl Drews, Pitcher... Posted a 4-12 in 31 games, 140 innings, 6.62 ERA.

Al Papai, Pitcher... Went 4-11 in 42 games, 5.06 ERA.

Ralph Winegarner, Pitcher... 0-0 in 9 games, 7.56 ERA.

Bob Savage, Pitcher... 0-0 in 4 games, 6.43 ERA.

Ribs Raney, Pitcher... Went 1-2, in 3 games. 7.71 ERA.

Irv Medlinger, Pitcher... 0-0 in 3 games.

Bob Malloy, Pitcher 1-1 in 5 games 2.79 ERA.

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