St. Louis Browns outfielder, Bill Whaley, was born on February 10 1896 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Whaley would spend 13 years as a professional baseball player, but his only time in the Major Leagues would be with the Browns in 1923.
Prior to signing on with the Browns, Whaley was a successful two-way player for the Bay City Wolves of the
St. Louis Browns outfielder, Bill Whaley, was born on February 10 1896 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Whaley would spend 13 years as a professional baseball player, but his only time in the Major Leagues would be with the Browns in 1923.
Prior to signing on with the Browns, Whaley was a successful two-way player for the Bay City Wolves of the Michigan-Ontario League. He batted over .300 in the four seasons with Bay City (1919-22), as well as compiling a 15-5 record on the mound. This grabbed the attention of the Browns who invited him to spring training in 1923.
There are no transaction records of the Browns signing or releasing Whaley in 1923. The 27-year old rookie would remain on the roster the entire season, but would get most of his playing time late in the season. Whaley made his debut on April 18 against the Detroit Tigers, as a pinch hitter for Cedric Durst in the bottom of the 8th inning. His batting stats for his rookie season would show 56 plate appearances, driving 12 hits, including two doubles, a triple, and driving in a run, while hitting .240 average.
The Browns released him after the season, and he would go on to play eight more seasons in the minor leagues across the country. He would spend time with the Los Angeles Angeles (1924-25), then split the final six years between 12 teams including the New Orleans Pelicans (1926), Lincoln Links (1927), Spartanburg Spartans (1928), Lynn Papooses (1929), Augusta Wolves (1930), and the High Point Pointers (1931).
Bill Whaley returned to Indianapolis after he retired from baseball. He may not have become a household name with his time in St. Louis, but he was able to live the dream as an MLB player. Many of us have not been that lucky.
Today's Browns Quote
“Maybe once again St. Louis will have to be the central figure in establishing peace in baseball”
~ Phil Ball, Browns owner, 1916
BROWNS' BIRTHDAYS ON THIS DAY
1896 - OF Bill Whaley (1924)
TRANSACTIONS
1916 - The brief life of the Federal Baseball league came to an end after the 1915 season. The St. Louis Terriers had bu
Today's Browns Quote
“Maybe once again St. Louis will have to be the central figure in establishing peace in baseball”
~ Phil Ball, Browns owner, 1916
BROWNS' BIRTHDAYS ON THIS DAY
1896 - OF Bill Whaley (1924)
TRANSACTIONS
1916 - The brief life of the Federal Baseball league came to an end after the 1915 season. The St. Louis Terriers had built a successful team in 1915, and with the collapse of the FBL the Browns looked to acquire as many players from the Terriers as possible.
On this date, the Browns purchased the rights to 11 former Terriers. These players would become the backbone of the Browns teams for the rest of the decade and into the 1920s. The Browns acquired St. Louis native and outfielder Jack Tobin, along with fellow outfielders Armando Marsens and Ward Miller. They also picked up 1B Babe Barton, UTIL Harry Chapman, and infielders Charlie Deal, Grover Hartley, and Ernie Johnson. The Browns also acquired future Hall of Fame pitcher Eddie Plank, along with pitchers Doc Crandal and Bob Groom. During this same move, the Browns ownership moved as Robert Hedges sold the team to Terriers owner, Phil Ball. Ball would maintain leadership of the Browns until 1933.
The manager of the 1953 Browns team was the St. Louis legend, Marty Marion. Marion won the hearts of baseball fans through a 13-year career. He would spend his entire career St. Louis, 11 seasons with the Cardinals (1940-50), two seasons with the Browns (1952-53).
After managing the Cardinals to a 81-73 season in 1951 season, Marion was r
The manager of the 1953 Browns team was the St. Louis legend, Marty Marion. Marion won the hearts of baseball fans through a 13-year career. He would spend his entire career St. Louis, 11 seasons with the Cardinals (1940-50), two seasons with the Browns (1952-53).
After managing the Cardinals to a 81-73 season in 1951 season, Marion was released on October 24, 1951, and quickly picked up by the Browns on November 29, 1951. He would lead the Browns for most of the next two seasons as a player manager, seeing action in 70 games over that time. His record with the Browns was 96-161 in those two seasons. He was originally hired as the Browns player-coach under the leadership of Rogers Hornsby. However in June of 1952, owner Bill Veeck fired Hornsby as manager for his foul mouth and negative direction of the team. Marion was the clear choice to take over the team. Marion couldn't save the '52 season and didn't have enough talent to succeed in 1953.
Marion would not survive the Browns moved to Baltimore. After being released, he would find a position with the Chicago White Sox which would eventually lead to the manager role. From 1954 through 1956, he would accumulate a 173-138 record in Chicago. Marion would go down in St. Louis baseball lore for his playing and managerial careers. It does not matter of you call him by any of his nicknames, "Slats, "Octopus" or "Mr. Shortstop", Marty Marion can only be described as a legend in St. Louis.