St. Louis Browns 2B Don Heffner was born on February 8, 1911, in Rouzerville, Pennsylvania. Heffner would enjoy a 40-year career in professional baseball. He would play 11 seasons in Major League Baseball, seven seasons in the minor leagues, and would coach/manage for another 28 years. After high school, he attended Baltimore Polytechnic
St. Louis Browns 2B Don Heffner was born on February 8, 1911, in Rouzerville, Pennsylvania. Heffner would enjoy a 40-year career in professional baseball. He would play 11 seasons in Major League Baseball, seven seasons in the minor leagues, and would coach/manage for another 28 years. After high school, he attended Baltimore Polytechnic Institute before starting his professional baseball career in 1929. He would continue to work on his education as his baseball career evolved. Heffner would acquire the nickname of "Jeep" over his career, but the origins of the name are not known.
"Jeep" Heffner would spend his first five years of baseball in the minor leagues. He saw time with the Augusta Tygers, Portland Mariners , Salisbury-Spencer Colonials, Goldsboro Goldbugs all during his rookie season of 1929. From 1930-33, he played for the Baltimore Orioles of the International League before being traded to the New York Yankees on August 21, 1933. He would spend four seasons (1934-37) within in the Yankees organization, where he appeared in 161 games.
The Browns acquired Don Heffner on February 15, 1938, in a trade that sent INF Bill Knickebocker to New York. In St, Louis he would become a solid member of the infield, averaging 120 games in the first four seasons (1938-41). His best came in 1940, where he led all American League second basemen with .977 Fielding Percentage. He also finished second in Fielding Percentage in 1941 (.974) and third in 1938 (.971). Heffner was a productive bat in the Browns lineup. In 524 games with St. Louis, he would hit .241, with 434 hits, 73 doubles, 9 triples, 6 home runs, and drove in 179 runs. With the acquisition of Don Gutteridge in 1943, Heffner saw his playing time and production drop. On June 14, 1943, he was acquired by the Philadelphia Athletics where he would finish off the season.
Heffner retired after the 1944 season, and began focusing on coaching the game he loved. His monor league coaching resume stretched from 1947-69, and included time with the Globe-Miami Browns of the Arizona-Texas League(1948), the Baltimore Orioles (1952-53), and the Denver Bears (1969). From 1958 through 1968, he would coach with the Kansas City Athletics, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, and California Angels. He would serve as the manager for the first half of the 1966 for the Cincinnati Reds.
The experience and leadership that Heffner gained while playing paid off in his coaching years. Hundreds of baseball players were influenced by "Jeep" Heffner, and those players would go on and teach the skills Heffner practiced.
Today's Browns Quote
"I think the best way to make a living is to be a baseball owner. The Browns are a team that has never been afraid to lose. In St. Louis, we had a great time, even when we were losing."
~ Collection of quotes from the Browns' Legendary owner, Bill Veeck, 1953.
BROWNS' BIRTHDAYS ON THIS DAY
1911 - 2B Don Heffner (1938-41
Today's Browns Quote
"I think the best way to make a living is to be a baseball owner. The Browns are a team that has never been afraid to lose. In St. Louis, we had a great time, even when we were losing."
~ Collection of quotes from the Browns' Legendary owner, Bill Veeck, 1953.
BROWNS' BIRTHDAYS ON THIS DAY
1911 - 2B Don Heffner (1938-41)
TRANSACTIONS
1927 - The Browns trade UTIL Cedric Durst and LHP Joe Giard to the New York Yankees for RHP Sam Jones. Durst played three seasons with the Browns (1922-23, 26), appearing in 140 games where he hit eight home runs with a .234 batting average. Giard appeared in 250.2 innings over 52 games in 1925-26. He reached a 13-15 record with 61 strikeouts. RHP Sad Sam Jones would spend just one season with the Browns. He would have an 8-14 record, with 72 strikouts, and a 4.32 ERA.. (There are some reports this trade took place on February 7, so it was posted on both days in this site)
1940 - The Browns purchased the contract of RHP Elden Auker from the Boston Red Sox. After spending seven seasons with the Tigers and Red Sox, Auker would play three seasons in St. Louis (1940-42). His durability would be an asset as he appeared in at least 215 innings, and 31 games over the three seasons. He would tally a 44-39 record for the Browns, striking out 200 batters, and reaching a 4.46 ERA. He would recieve MVP votes in both 1940 and 1941.
The 1953 season would be the final season for the Browns in St. Louis. This team would only win 54 games while losing 100 games. Even though the team record would not be favorable, there were still quality players on the team. Many of these players wouldreach legendary status after the team moved to Baltimore. In the final year, the Brow
The 1953 season would be the final season for the Browns in St. Louis. This team would only win 54 games while losing 100 games. Even though the team record would not be favorable, there were still quality players on the team. Many of these players wouldreach legendary status after the team moved to Baltimore. In the final year, the Browns would have two All-Stars - RHP Satchel Paige and SS Billy Hunter.
The roster for this 1953 Browns team: