St. Louis Browns RHP Clarence Westly Marshall was born on April 28, 1925 in Bellingham, Washington. Marshall would enjoy a eight-year career in professional baseball that took him from the Pacific Northwest, to the bright lights of New York, and finally bull pen of the Browns. He would appear in 757 innings across 196 games, with eight di
St. Louis Browns RHP Clarence Westly Marshall was born on April 28, 1925 in Bellingham, Washington. Marshall would enjoy a eight-year career in professional baseball that took him from the Pacific Northwest, to the bright lights of New York, and finally bull pen of the Browns. He would appear in 757 innings across 196 games, with eight different clubs.
Marshall was better known by his unique nickname of "Cuddles". This nickname was originally tagged by Joe Page, his New York Yankee roommate, who claimed that Marshall was seen as "cuddley" by his adoring fans. Cuddles Marshall was also described as having movie star looks that often gained the attention of his fans. It was written that he had an opportunity to work in the movie industry in 1946, but gave it up to play baseball.
Cuddles Marshall began his baseball career in 1943, when he signed with the Seattle Rainiers straight out of Bellingham High School. After a season with the Rainiers, he was loaned to the Memphis Chickasaws for the 1944 season. During the era where many players went off to serve in World War II, Marshall received a "4F' classification due to a hernia he suffered while playing baseball.
In December of 1944, Marshall was traded by Seattle to the New York Yankees for RHP Dick Hearn and RHP Johnny Babich. He would spend the next five season in the Yankees organization, including with their minor league affiliates Kansas City Blues (1945, 47-48) and Newark Bears (1948). In three seasons with the Major League Yankees, he would appear in 45 games, including 13 games in which he started.
Cuddles Marshall was the first Yankees pitcher to start a night game at Yankees Stadium on May 28, 1946. Marshall started the 1950 season with the Yankees, but could not break through the talented New York starting lineup.
On May 15, 1950, the Browns were able to purchase the contract of Cuddles Marshall. He would appear in 28 games for the Browns in 1950, primarily out of the bull pen. Cuddles was one of the more solid relief pitcher on the Browns staff, closing out a team-leading 13 games including one save. In a bull pen that was relied on more than most, Marshall posted the fewest hits (72) by a pitcher on the staff with more than 50 innings (53.2 IP). He would suffer from bouts of wildness that led to 51 walks compared to 24 strikeouts, and an ERA of 7.88.
The Browns were planning on Marshall returning for the 1951 season, but he was drafted by the US Army and served in the Korean War. Upon return from war in 1953, Marshall failed to make the Browns opening day roster, and his contract was sold to the Baltimore Orioles of the International League. He finished the 1953 seasons with the Vancouver Capilanos.
Cuddles Marshall would suffer a broken leg and hand in a car accident following the season and decided to retire from baseball. Marshall and his family would move to Los Angeles where he worked for Litton Data Systems for almost thirty years. He also worked as a security guard at Dodger Stadium, which was more fun than a job.
HEADLINE
"COURTNEY TAKES ON THE ENTIRE YANKEES TEAM IN THE BRAWL OF THE YEAR"
1953 - Browns get into a brawl with the Yankees after Clint Courtney gets into a collision with Phil Rizzuto. In the bottom of 10th inning, Clint Courney stretched a sinlge to a double, and while sliding into second he slammed into Yankee favorite Phil Rizzuto. Bo
HEADLINE
"COURTNEY TAKES ON THE ENTIRE YANKEES TEAM IN THE BRAWL OF THE YEAR"
1953 - Browns get into a brawl with the Yankees after Clint Courtney gets into a collision with Phil Rizzuto. In the bottom of 10th inning, Clint Courney stretched a sinlge to a double, and while sliding into second he slammed into Yankee favorite Phil Rizzuto. Both benches would clear after the collision, and after a 17-minute brawl the Umpires had to pull Billy Martin off the back of Courtney. Courtney would be fines $250 for sparking the fight.
FEATURED GAME
1917 - The Browns would display their power and speed in their 10-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians. The Browns would collect four doubles, and steal five bases against Indian pitching. The Browns outfield (LF Burt Shotton, CF Armando Marsens, RF Baby Doll Jacobson) would collectively go 9-for-15, with five RBIs, and three runs. 2B Del Pratt would go 3-for-4 with two runs, 1B George Sisler would go 2-for-5 with a run, and C Hank Severeid would go 1-for-4, including and RBI and a run. Even Browns pitcher Allen Sothoron would get into the hit parade, by going 2-for-5 with a double, RBI, and a run. Sothoron would pitch a complete game scattering six hits, two walks, and striking out three.
BROWNS' ALL-TIME RECORD ON THIS DAY
17 WINS, 25 LOSSES
1902-09: 4-3
1910-19: 1-4
1920-29: 5-4
1930-39: 2-8
1940-49: 5-4
1950-53: 0-2
DOUBLE-HEADERS:
One Sweep in 1907
One Split in 1946
THERE WERE NO TRANSACTIONS ON THIS DAY
DEBUTS
1906 - Ed Smith would enter in relief of Fred Glade with a 5-0 deficit to the Chicago White Sox. He would go on and pitch the next 7.2 inning allowing only one hit, while striking out. The Browns would come back and win the game, 10-5.
BROWNS' BIRTHDAYS ON THIS DAY
1916 - OF Mike Chartak (1942-44)
1925 - RHP Cuddles Marshall (1950)
The 1911 St. Louis Browns were led by their star shortstop, and future Hall of Famer Bobby Wallace. Wallace was in the middle of his 15 year career with the Browns, and had no desire to ever be the Browns manager. The Browns fired Jack O'Connor after the 1910 season. Browns management, along with the American League President Ban Johnson,
The 1911 St. Louis Browns were led by their star shortstop, and future Hall of Famer Bobby Wallace. Wallace was in the middle of his 15 year career with the Browns, and had no desire to ever be the Browns manager. The Browns fired Jack O'Connor after the 1910 season. Browns management, along with the American League President Ban Johnson, believed that Wallace would have been the perfect fit for the Browns. He was not. He was a quiet leader who was not comfortable leading himself on the field. He would only hit .232 in 125 games in 1911, which was almost 30 points below his career average. It was not successful in 1911, with a 45-107 record.
“I never had the slightest desire to be a major league manager and all knew it. But Ban Johnson, Bob Hedges, and Jimmy McAleer persuaded me that the Browns were in a sort of a jam and it was up to me, as an old standby, to do what I could. ~ Bobby Wallace