St. Louis Browns left fielder, Buster Mills, was born on September 16, 1908 in Ranger, Texas. He would have an amazing 30-year career in professional baseball where he experienced every role and every success. Mills played 12 seasons of professional baseball, was a member of the "Gashouse Gang", became a Colonel during World War II, and c
St. Louis Browns left fielder, Buster Mills, was born on September 16, 1908 in Ranger, Texas. He would have an amazing 30-year career in professional baseball where he experienced every role and every success. Mills played 12 seasons of professional baseball, was a member of the "Gashouse Gang", became a Colonel during World War II, and coached/managed for several organizations after his playing days were over.
Before all of these accomplishments, Mills was a three-sport star (baseball, track, football) at the University of Oklahoma. In 1930, Buster Mills was named the All-Big Six quarterback while playing for the Sooners. Mills was playing for Oklahoma when the Sooners visited Washington University in St. Louis. Mills would hit for the cycle and impressed Cardinals scout Charlie Barrett, who was at the game to recruit another player. Mills signed with the Cardinals and spent the 1932 seasons between the Mobile Red Warriors (D-Level), Elmire Red Wings (B), and Rochester Red Wings (A). Over the next six seasons, he would continue to wear the Rochester jersey.
Buster "Bus" Mills would make his MLB debut as the Cardinals played the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 18, 1934. He entered the game as a pinch hitter for LHP Bill Walker in the fifth inning. He would see action in 29 games for the Gashouse Gang of 1934, batting .236 in the crowded Cardinals outfield. He was optioned back to Rochester midway through the season, and was not a part of the World Series championship. After starting the 1935 season with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Mills would return to Rochester through the 1936 campaign. He would return to the majors with the Boston Bees in 1937, and on December 2, 1937 the Browns acquired the left fielder in a four-player deal. The Browns would send LF Joe Vosmik to Boston for Buster Mills, INF Red Kress, and RHP Bobo Newsom.
Mills would become the Browns primary left fielder in 1938, and enjoy one of his finest seasons of his career. He would register 133 hits in 123 games, including 24 doubles, four triples, and three home runs. He would also drive in 46 runs, score another 66 himself, and have a batting average of .285. Mills would star in the field finishing in the top 10 for putouts in left field (175), double playes turned by a left fielder (2), double plays turned by a center fielder (2), assists (9), and fielding percentage (.958). Mills would have 36 multi-hit games, score a runs in 55 games, and drive in a run in 33 games. His best game came against Boston on August 30 when he went 4-for-5 with a double, three runs scored, three RBIs, and a stolen base. Like most stars the cash-strapped Browns had during the Depression years, Buster Mills was traded in the following off-season. On Octerber 26, 1938, Mills was sent with RHP Oral Hildebrand to the New York Yankees for catcher Joe Glenn and OF Myril Hoag.
Mills would spend the nest thee seasons between the Yankees (1940), and their minor league affiliates, Newark Bears (1939-40) and Kansas City Blues (1940-41). Buster Mills played with the Cleveland Indians before enlisting in the US Air Force in November of 1942.
Originally based in Waco, Texas, Mills would advance from Second Lieutenant to First Lieutenant when he was transferred to bases in Hawaii. He was commissioned to manage the 73rd Wing Bombers in a series of games throughout the Pacific Theater. From Iwo Jima, to the Marianas, to Tinian, "Buster's Bombers" were one of best teams in the armed service.
After Buster Mills would return from War and play one final seasons with the Indians in 1946 as a player-coach. He would continue his final chapter in baseball as a coach and manager, spending time with the Chicago White Sox (1947-50), Cincinnati Reds (1953), and Boston Red Sox (1954). He continued to coach in Venezuela, and scout for the Kansas City Athletics and New York Yankees.
Mills returned to Ranger (TX) where he was involved in baseball camps, the First Methodist Church, the Ranger Savings and Loan, and the Masonic Lodge. Buster Mills is another example of a great baseball man who spent a short time with the Browns, but had a huge impact on his community and family.
HEADLINES
" BROWNS SEE TWO ROOKIE PITCHERS START AND COMPLETE BOTH ENDS OF A DOUBLE HEADER"
This may be the only time in MLB history that a team started rookies that both pitch complete game in a double header
FEATURED GAME
1909 - Browns split a double header with the Washington Nationals while starting two rookie pitchers in the twin bill. G
HEADLINES
" BROWNS SEE TWO ROOKIE PITCHERS START AND COMPLETE BOTH ENDS OF A DOUBLE HEADER"
This may be the only time in MLB history that a team started rookies that both pitch complete game in a double header
FEATURED GAME
1909 - Browns split a double header with the Washington Nationals while starting two rookie pitchers in the twin bill. Game 1 - RHP Phil Stremmel pitches a complete game in his Major League debut. He would allow five runs on nine hits and two walks. He would only see five hits from the Browns lineup in support of his efforts. Washington takes the first game 5-0. Game 2 - The Browns bats come alive with nine hits off Washington pitching in the nightcap of the double header. The Browns were lead by catcher Wib Smith who would drive in two runs on two hits. SS Roy Hartzell would also collect two hits, while adding two runs and a stolen base. 3B Bobby Wallace would also drive in a run, score a run, and get a base hit. Rookie RHP Jack Gilligan would scatter five hits, five walks, and a strikeout while allowing two runs in his complete game, 4-2, victory
BROWNS RECORD ON THIS DAY
Overall Record on SEPTEMBER 16
20 Wins, 34 Losses One Tie (.363)
1902-09: 2-6-1
1910-19: 3-6
1920-29: 4-6
1930-39: 2-8
1940-49: 7-4
1950-53: 2-4
DOUBLE HEADERS
Sweeps: 1
Splits: 8
Swept: 2
TRANSACTIONS
1912 - Browns acquired three players through the Rule 5 Draft - LHP Walt Levernz, Catcher Sam Agnew, SS/LF Mike Belenti
DEBUTS
1907 - RHP Bill McGill would pitch a 10-inning complete game that would end in a 2-2 tie. It was the second game of a double header against the Cleveland Naps. He would allow two hits and a walk, while striking out five Cleveland sluggers.
1909 - Double Header split with the Washington Nationals. RHP Phil Stremmel would pitch a complete game in the first game of the double header. He would allow nine hits and five walks that would lead to five runs, as the Browns drop the first game 5-0. RHP Jack Gilligan would pitch a complete game in the second game of a double header against the Washington Nationals. He would allow two runs on five hits, five walks, and a strikeout. Browns won 4-2.
1911 - RHP Elmer Brown would hurl a complete game shut out in is MLB debut. He allow just four hits and issue six walks. his four strikeouts would silence the Washington batters in crucial moments. Browns win 6-0.
1915 - RHP Pete Sims would earn the brief start for the Browns, but only last the first inning. He would face only five batters, giving up a run on two walks without allowing a hit. The Browns would go on to an 8-2 victory.
1941 - 1B Chuck Stevens would replace 1B George McQuinn in the bottom of the seventh inning in the Browns 9-8 win over the Philadelphia Athletics. Stevens would go hitless in two at bats.
BROWNS BIRTHDAYS ON SEPTEMBER 16
1899 - OF/1B Heinie Mueller (1935)
1912 - LHP Emil Balbilli (1937-41)
1901 - RHP Edgar Barnhart (1924)
1908 - LF Buster Mills (1938)
The 1910 St. Louis Browns were a team that dropped significantly in most offensive categories. This team only won 47 games, and at first glance one may thing that the lack of hitting was one of the primary reasons. Compared to the 1909 season, most of the individual statistics were actually better than the season where they won 61 games.
The 1910 St. Louis Browns were a team that dropped significantly in most offensive categories. This team only won 47 games, and at first glance one may thing that the lack of hitting was one of the primary reasons. Compared to the 1909 season, most of the individual statistics were actually better than the season where they won 61 games. The team finsihed below the league average in every category. They finished toward the bottom of the league in Sacrifice Hits (143), Total Bases (1392), and Team OPS (.556). They did have the fewest batters Hit By Pitch (36). The overall team batting average was lowest in Browns history at .218, and Bobby Wallace had the lowest team leading batting average with a .258 average. Both Wallace and the Browns would improve from these numbers.
Batting Leaders
with A.L. rankings in (#)
Team Statistics:
Player Statistics