St. Lous Browns RHP Tom Rogers was born on February 12, 1892, in Sparta, Tennessee. "Shotgun" Rogers enjoyed an 18-year professional baseball career full of successful "peaks" and tragic "valleys". He would suit up for nine minor league clubs across 15 seasons. He played for three Major League organizations, including the Browns, Philadel
St. Lous Browns RHP Tom Rogers was born on February 12, 1892, in Sparta, Tennessee. "Shotgun" Rogers enjoyed an 18-year professional baseball career full of successful "peaks" and tragic "valleys". He would suit up for nine minor league clubs across 15 seasons. He played for three Major League organizations, including the Browns, Philadelphia Athletics, and New York Yankees.
After his rookie season with the Henderson Hens in 1913, Rogers would star for the Nashville Volunteers (1914-16). He was a favorite of the local Tennessee newspapers who boasted about his pitching abilities on the mound. His 41-32 record in this time drew the attention of the Browns who signed him prior to the 1917 season.
Rogers' MLB debut came on April 14, 1917, in relief of Jim Park, in a blowout loss to the Chicago White Sox. He would pitch seven innings that day, giving up three earned runs, on two hits, four walks, and recording one strikeout. Over the next three seasons (1917-19) he would be a fixture on the Browns staff, where he would build a 11-17 record, across 262.2 innings with a 3.62 ERA. When the 1919 season began, the Browns moved Rogers to the bullpen. After only two appearances, the Browns would send Tom Rogers to the Philadelphia Athletics for $2000.
Over the next few years, Rogers would travel between the minors and Major League organizations. He spent time with the Buffalo Bison (1920-21), Memphis Chickasaws (1923-24), and the Atlanta Crackers (1926-28). Rogers would pitch for the New York Yankees in 1921, and see action in the 1921 World Series.
Tom Rogers did contend with some challenging moments on the diamond that tested his courage and character. His darkest moment came on June 19, 1916, while playing for the Nashville Volunteers against their rival Mobile Sea Gulls. Rogers was pitching to the Gulls 3B Johnny Dodge, when a fastball hits Dodge on the left temple. Dodge left the field but would late pass away due to a brain hemorrhage. Rogers and Dodge were close friends and this accident would haunt Rogers for the rest of his life. Three weeks later, Rogers would throw a perfect game vs the Chattanooga Lookouts.
After his playing days, it was reported that the "emotional problems" of the Johnny Dodge incident caught up to him. He passed away at the age of 44.
Today's Browns Quote
"Thomas "Shotgun" Rogers climbed yesterday to the proudest pinnacle in the baseball world. The Gallatin Gunner, in the most gallant exhibition of slab work ever unfurled in this section of the more or less United States, reported with that fondly cherished dream of every gent who makes the diamond his habitat—a perfect
Today's Browns Quote
"Thomas "Shotgun" Rogers climbed yesterday to the proudest pinnacle in the baseball world. The Gallatin Gunner, in the most gallant exhibition of slab work ever unfurled in this section of the more or less United States, reported with that fondly cherished dream of every gent who makes the diamond his habitat—a perfect game. One unmarred by either a run, a hit, or a hostile son of swat reaching the initial corner."
~ The Tennessean, July 12, 1916
BROWNS' BIRTHDAYS ON THIS DAY
1892 - RHP Tom Rogers (1917-19)
DID YOU KNOW?
How did the Browns gets to St. Louis? The St. Louis Browns first season came in 1901. The franchise in 1901, was actually known as the Milwaukee Brewers and they were one of the founding members of the American League. The Brewers season in 1901 was a 48-89 disaster. American League officials and investors believed the team would find more success in a larger city.
St. Louis was the fourth largest city in the United States. St. Louis was looking to host the Worlds Fair and Summer Olympics in 1904. The primary owner of the new St. Louis Browns was Ralph Orthwein, who has been best described as a business wizard. The Orthwein family gained the power and wealth from the grain and mining industries. The Cincinnati carriage manufacturer, Robert Hedges, was the first treasurer of the Browns and believer of the team. Several minority investors were also involved in the early days of the franchise.
After the first season, Orthwein was disappointed in the teams performance and box office return. He would sell his stocks in team to Robert Hedges, making Hedges the second team owner in just two years. Hedges would bring stability to the franchise and continue to promte the team in St. Louis. He would continue to lead the Browns until 1916. In that year he would sell the team to Phil Ball, the owner of the defunct St. Louis Terriers of the collapsed Federal Baseball League.
The 1953 St. Louis Browns won just 54 games in their final season in St. Louis. The Browns pitching staff was made up of past legends and future icons of the game. The staff failed to produce a pitcher with double digit wins, but did have five players with double digit losses. Their player with the most wins was their reliever, RHP Martin
The 1953 St. Louis Browns won just 54 games in their final season in St. Louis. The Browns pitching staff was made up of past legends and future icons of the game. The staff failed to produce a pitcher with double digit wins, but did have five players with double digit losses. Their player with the most wins was their reliever, RHP Martin Stuart, with all eight wins coming in the late innings. Three of their starting five pitchers had just seven wins with 12 or more losses. The only starting pitcher with a winning record was RHP Virgil Trucks (5-4). Rookie RHP Don Larsen would lead the team with 38 starts and seven complete games. LHP Harry Brecheen was an example of the hard luck these pitchers experienced in this final season. "The Cat" tallied a 3.07 ERA in just 117 innings, but lost 13 of the 26 games he started. The Browns rough offense was not helping the success of their pitchers.
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