St. Louis Browns right-handed pitcher, Earl Harrist, was born on August 20, 1919 in Dubach, Louisiana. The Browns would be his third major league team, and one 15 teams he would wear a jersey. He would be noted in the MLB record books for striking out Cleveland's Larry Doby in his first plate appearance.
Earl "Irish" Harrist (no meaning o
St. Louis Browns right-handed pitcher, Earl Harrist, was born on August 20, 1919 in Dubach, Louisiana. The Browns would be his third major league team, and one 15 teams he would wear a jersey. He would be noted in the MLB record books for striking out Cleveland's Larry Doby in his first plate appearance.
Earl "Irish" Harrist (no meaning of his nickname could be found) began his professional career with the El Dorado Lions in 1938. He would bounce around the minor leagues for the first five seasons of his career. He appeared for the Durham Bulls (1939), Columbus Reds (1940), Birmingham Barons (1941) and the Syracuse Chiefs (1942).
Like many players of the era, Earl Harrist joined the military to defend his nation in World War II. He served two years (1943-44) and reached the rank of Sergeant in the US Army Air Force.
When he returned to baseball in 1945 and went directly to the Majors, playing 14 games with the Cincinnati Reds. Over the next seven seasons, he would continue to move between the minors and majors. He saw action with the Chicago White Sox (1947-48) and the Washington Nationals (1948), as well as with the Newark Bears (1949) and the Oakland Oaks (1949-51).
The Browns would acquire Earl Harrist in the Rule 5 draft from Oakland on November 5, 1951. He would be used primarily out of the bull pen in the 36 games he appeared with St. Louis. He debuted in game seven of the season, April 20, against the Chicago White Sox, in relief of Cliff Fannin. He would finish 13 games for the Browns and earn six saves in the process. Harrist would get a chance to start eight games, of which five starts would last six or more innings. His best game would come on May 21, 1952, when he spaced out six hits, resulting in just one run through eight innings against the Washington Senators. His finals stats in 1952 included appearances in 116.2 innings, with 49 strikeouts, 52 earned runs, and a 4.01 ERA.
The Chicago White Sox reacquired Harrist from the Browns on March 7, 1953. He would pitch for another six seasons between the minors and major leagues. He moved between the White Sox (1953), Detroit Tigers (1953), Buffalo Bisons (1953-54), Sacramento Solons (1955-58), and Victoria Rosebuds (1958).
Throughout his professional career, Harrist would pitch in 623 games (just 132 in the major leagues), earning a 155 wins, 70 complete games in 221 games started. He tallied 1345 strikeouts compared to 1213 walks.
Earl Harrist would make a long career as one of the more crafty, knuckleball pitchers of his era.
HEADLINES
" 'WEE WILLIE' SHUTS DOWN HIGHLANDERS AND THEN USES HIS BAT TO SECURE WIN"
FEATURED GAME
1903 - The Browns would take the second game of a double header agaisnt the New York Highlanders, behind the arm and bat of RHP "Wee Willie" Sudhoff. After giving up runs in both the second and third innings, Sudhoff completely shut down the N
HEADLINES
" 'WEE WILLIE' SHUTS DOWN HIGHLANDERS AND THEN USES HIS BAT TO SECURE WIN"
FEATURED GAME
1903 - The Browns would take the second game of a double header agaisnt the New York Highlanders, behind the arm and bat of RHP "Wee Willie" Sudhoff. After giving up runs in both the second and third innings, Sudhoff completely shut down the New York lineup, allowing only 9 hits and 2 walks while striking out five. After falling behind 0-2, the Browns scored a run in the sixth and three in the eighth inning. Sudhoff helped himself by going 2-for-3 at the plate, including a two-run triple. SS Bobby Wallace also hit a triple while going 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Catcher Joe Sugden would follow Wallace with a run and RBI of his own. 1B John Anderson would score the fourth St. Louis run after hitting his double. The Browns won 4-2.
BROWNS RECORD ON THIS DAY
Overall Record on August 20
23 Wins, 25 Losses (.479)
1902-09: 4-4
1910-19: 4-5
1920-29: 4-3
1930-39: 3-8
1940-49: 7-4
1950-53: 1-1
DOUBLE HEADERS
Sweeps: 3
Splits: 4
Swept: 4
TRANSACTIONS
1909 - Th Browns conduced two deal this day.
DEBUTS
1903 - RHP Barney Pelty makes his MLB debut, entering with one out in the 9th inning, earning a save in the Browns 4-2 win over the New York Highlanders. Most modern fans do not understand that the "Yiddish Curver" is sill one of the most recognized pitchers in franchise history.
BROWNS BIRTHDAYS ON AUGUST 20
1907 - RF/1B Beau Bell (1935-39)
1909 - RHP Sig Jakucki (1936, 44-45)
1919 - RHP Earl Harrist (1952)
The 1927 St. Louis Browns pitching staff was not one of the stronger staffs in the franchise's history. It is hard to believe, but not a single pitcher on the staff had a winning record. Every pitcher had an ERA over 4.00. Milt Gaston's 13 wins would be the lowest of the decade. In desperate need of help, the Browns traded for General Cro
The 1927 St. Louis Browns pitching staff was not one of the stronger staffs in the franchise's history. It is hard to believe, but not a single pitcher on the staff had a winning record. Every pitcher had an ERA over 4.00. Milt Gaston's 13 wins would be the lowest of the decade. In desperate need of help, the Browns traded for General Crowder in July 7th, but even the proven veteran could not help the staff improve its performance. The team did the lead the American League in several categories including wild pitches (34), runs allowed (904), and runs allowed per nine innings (6.03) This may also be some of the reasons the Browns were held to such a dismal record of 59-94 in 1927.
Team Pitching Statistics
(American League Rankings)
Player Statistics