St. Louis Browns shortstop/pinch runner, Bob Neighbors, was born on November 9, 1917, in Talihina Oklahoma. Neighbors may not be a household name, but his name does hold a piece of honor and history. He was the first player from Wildhorse High School, Oklahoma Baptist University, and Talihina to record a hit in the Major Leagues. Neighbor
St. Louis Browns shortstop/pinch runner, Bob Neighbors, was born on November 9, 1917, in Talihina Oklahoma. Neighbors may not be a household name, but his name does hold a piece of honor and history. He was the first player from Wildhorse High School, Oklahoma Baptist University, and Talihina to record a hit in the Major Leagues. Neighbors was a standout athlete in high school and signed his first professional baseball contract at the age of 18 with the Siloam Springs Travelers in 1936.
After playing for the Travelers (1936-37) and the Abbeville A's (1937), he began a four-year period within the Browns minor league organizations. He appeared with the San Antonio Missions (1938, 40-41), Palestine Pals (1938, 40) Springfield Browns (1939), and Toledo Mud Hens (1940). As a prospect with Springfield, he beat out future Browns star, Vern Stephens, for the starting shortstop position.
Bob Neighbors would make his MLB debut on September 16, 1939. He was a late-season call up, and entered the game in the bottom of the eighth inning, as a defensive replacement for Mark Christman. His first major league hit was a home run to left field on September 21, off Denny Galehouse of the Boston Red Sox. On September 23, Neighbors recorded his second hit against the Chicago White Sox. These would be the only hits he would record in the major leagues. Neighbors would have 11 plate appearances in seven games for the Browns. He would score three runs, strikeout only once, and reach a .182 batting average.
Bob Neighbors changed his life focus after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December of 1941. He enlisted the US Air Force as the nation entered World War II, and flew missions in both the European and Pacific theaters. Neighbors became an accomplished pilot and reached the rank of Air Force Major as the US military entered the Korean Conflict. He was assigned to the 13th Bomb Squadron of the Third Bombardment Wing stationed at the Kunsan Air Base in Korea. As a member of "The Grim Reapers", he flew B-26 Bombers over targets in North Korea.
On August 8, 1952, Neighbors volunteered for a mission as the scheduled pilot became sick and unable to lead. His three-man plane was shot down over their targets, and even though all three men bailed out their bodies were never found. Bob Neighbors would be the last former Major League player to be missing in military action, as he was finally declared deceased on December 31, 1953.
Bob Neighbors has been honored in several military ceremonies, including one on June 14, 2000 when MLB Commissioner Bud Selig set a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns in his honor. Bob Neighbors paid the ultimate price for his honor and dedication to our nation. The St. Louis Browns need to honor him every year on Veterans Day.
HEADLINE
"NELS POTTER BLANKS POWERFUL BOSOX LINEUP"
FEATURED GAMES
1945 - Behind a complete game shut out by Nels Potter, the Browns would defeat the Boston Red Sox, 5-0. Potter would scatter eight hits and strikeout three batters, while going the distance. The Browns offense would come in a balanced attack where eight batters would record 1
HEADLINE
"NELS POTTER BLANKS POWERFUL BOSOX LINEUP"
FEATURED GAMES
1945 - Behind a complete game shut out by Nels Potter, the Browns would defeat the Boston Red Sox, 5-0. Potter would scatter eight hits and strikeout three batters, while going the distance. The Browns offense would come in a balanced attack where eight batters would record 12 hits off the four Red Sox pitchers of the day. LF Milt Byrnes would record the only extra base hit, going 2-for-4 with a double and two runs. Catcher Frank Mancuso and 2B Don Gutteridge would both record two hits and an RBI. CF Mike Kreevich (two RBIs) and pinch hitter George McQuinn (RBI) would drive in the Browns runs. The win would bring the Browns record to 14-11, which would place them in fourth place. After the game, Nels Potter would have a 4-2 record with a 1.52 ERA on the season.
BROWNS' ALL-TIME RECORD ON THIS DAY
15 WINS, 30 LOSSES
(.333 winning percentage)
WINS BY DECADE
1902-09: 4-2
1910-19: 2-9
1920-29: 1-7
1930-39: 1-7
1940-49: 5-2
1950-53: 2-3
DOUBLE-HEADERS ON THIS DAY
TRANSACTIONS
NO TRADES MADE ON THIS DAY
DEBUTS
1910 - 1B Pat Newman would go 2-for-4, with two strikeouts, in a 13-4 Browns loss to the Detroit Tigers. Newman would go on to be the Browns primary first baseman for the rest of the 1910 season.
BROWNS' BIRTHDAYS ON THIS DAY
1895 - 1B/2B Jim Riley (1921)
1887 - SS John Daley (1912)
The 1952 Browns were the youngest team in the American League, and would finish the season with a 64-90 record. This team competed with the rest of their American League foes, but their age and inexperience may have limited their success. Surprisingly, the team statistics and rankings were not as bad as they had been in past years. In mos
The 1952 Browns were the youngest team in the American League, and would finish the season with a 64-90 record. This team competed with the rest of their American League foes, but their age and inexperience may have limited their success. Surprisingly, the team statistics and rankings were not as bad as they had been in past years. In most categories they fell between fourth and sixth rankings in the league. They would record the same win/loss record against four of the seven teams in the league. They would go 8-14 against the White Sox, Yankees, Athletics, and Nationals.
Season Breakdown