St. Louis Browns right-handed pitcher, Rollin Edward Cook was born on October 5, 1890 in Toledo, Ohio. The baseball life of this extraordinary man may not have been impressive, but his contributions outside the ball park cannot be measured. His baseball career lasted a total of 25 games, and never reached "headline-style" news. His impact
St. Louis Browns right-handed pitcher, Rollin Edward Cook was born on October 5, 1890 in Toledo, Ohio. The baseball life of this extraordinary man may not have been impressive, but his contributions outside the ball park cannot be measured. His baseball career lasted a total of 25 games, and never reached "headline-style" news. His impact came after his playing days were over at the age of 24.
Rollin Cook attended Ohio State University (1909-15) and played with fellow big leagues Ollie Welf (OF), Arch Reilly (3B), and Browns' RHP Rasty Wright. His first baseball contract was with the York White Roses of the Tri-State League in 1914. He appeared in 15 games, and reached a 4-8 record.
There is no transaction history between Cook and the Browns, but he was on the active roster for most of the 1915 season. The Browns used 23 pitchers that season, and Cook's appeared in just five games over a six-week time period. Rollin Cook made his MLB debut on July 6, 1915 against the Chicago White Sox. This would be his most successful appearance going five innings of relief Ernie Koob. He gave up one earned run while scattering six hits, a walk, and striking out two batters. His time with St. Louis would be highlighted by two outings without giving up and earned run, and three outings of two stikeouts. His final statistics included 11 earned runs, on 16 hits, nine walks, one hit batter, one wild pitch, seven strikeouts, and a 7.24 ERA over 13.2 innings pitched. The Browns released Rollin Cook on August 14, 1915.
This did not stop Cook from making an impact on his nation. Cook enlisted in the US Army on June 4, 1917, as the nation was entering World War I. He joined the Air Force and graduated from the School of Military Aeronautics in August of 1917. Rollin Cook became one of the first combat pilots during "The Great War", and reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After the War, he continued his service and was directly influential to the evolution of American military aviation. Cook helped shape Air Force strategies and tactics that were later used in World War II.
Rollin Cook settled down in his home town of Toledo, after his service to our nation. He is another example of a player for the St. Louis Browns that made an impact on his nation after his playing days were over.
Thank you, Rollin Cook.
The 1944 World Series, nicknamed 'The Streetcar Series", was possibly the most unpredictable championship series in the history of baseball.
October 6, 1944 - Game 3 - The Browns offense has their breakout game of the series, scoring six runs off Cardinals pitching leading to a 6-2 victory. As of game three, the story of this World Serie
The 1944 World Series, nicknamed 'The Streetcar Series", was possibly the most unpredictable championship series in the history of baseball.
October 6, 1944 - Game 3 - The Browns offense has their breakout game of the series, scoring six runs off Cardinals pitching leading to a 6-2 victory. As of game three, the story of this World Series is the bat of Browns 1B George McQuinn. In the first three games, McQuinn would go 5-gor-8, including a double, and a home run, while driving in four of the ten Brown's runs. He would be perfect in game three with three hits, including a double, run scored and two RBIs.
The Cardinals, who were the visiting team in Game Three, started the scoring in the first inning. After CF Johnny Hopp reached base on error by Browns' SS Vern Stephens, Cardinals 3B Whitey Kurowski drives in Hopp with and RBI single. The Browns answered with four runs in the fourth inning. The Browns would record five straight singles off Cardinals starter Ted Wilks. With two outs, RF Gene Moore, and Vern Stephens would start the hitting brigade with singles. George McQuinn, LF Al Zarilla, and 3B Mark Christman would then follow with a series of RBI singles. After Wilkes is replaced by RHP Freddy Schmidt, catcher Red Hayworth would be walked to load the bases. Schmidt would then hurl a wild pitch to score Zarilla to cap the browns scoring in the inning. In the top of the seventh, the Cardinals' Kurowski would reach base on an error by 2B Don Gutteridge. SS Marty Marion would drive a single to center, scoring Kurowski from second base. The Browns responded with two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Gutteridge would lead off the inning with a double, and advancing to third on a fielders choice. With two outs, SS Vern Stephens would walk and Gutteridge would score on a wild pitch on ball four. McQuinn would follow with RBI double scoring Stephens from first base. Browns RHP Jack Kramer would pitch around seven hits, and both of the runs allowed where unearned runs. Kramer would strike out 10 batters, which would be most in franchise history. The Browns would score six runs in game three, and just five runs in the rest of the series.
BROWNS 2, CARDINALS 1
The manager for the 1944 American League Champion, St. Louis Browns was Luke Sewell. He was entering his third full season as manager, and no one knew what to expect from this team. After the marks set by the 1942 (82-69) and 1943 (72-80) teams, there were not many expectations of this team winning the pennant.
Sewell had already put his
The manager for the 1944 American League Champion, St. Louis Browns was Luke Sewell. He was entering his third full season as manager, and no one knew what to expect from this team. After the marks set by the 1942 (82-69) and 1943 (72-80) teams, there were not many expectations of this team winning the pennant.
Sewell had already put his mark on the team, from the earlier days of his management. Sewell demanded that he have absolute control over the team. He wanted the ability to make trades and be able to move players up and down to the minors. The owner of the team, Don Barnes, gave him that authority. So when his time as manager began in 1941, Sewell made decisions that benefitted the team and the Browns found success. By 1943, the team suffered the lost of key players to the war effort and they finished 10 games below 1942's record.
Sewell continued to work with his players. He worked with his young shortstop and helped make Vern Stephens one of the best hitting Shortstops in the American League. He picked up players like Don Gutteridge and Nels Potter. He also began to watch what his players did after the games. Many of the players enjoyed the night life, and he wanted to limit the number of nights the team explored. So he began to pair up the more experienced "night lifers" with those who didn't like to explore as much. This buddy system began to curtail the number of "hazzy" players that showed up after nights on the town.
Luke Sewell was the perfect manager for this team, and he deserves the credit for building the Browns into the American League Champion of 1944.