St. Louis Browns pinch hitter and outfielder Frank Saucier was born on May 28, 1926, in Leslie, Missouri. Although he would only appear in just 18 MLB games in 1951, Saucier was one of the most wanted minor league hitters of his time. A decorated veteran of World War II and Korean War, Saucier saw his playing career as a stepping stone to
St. Louis Browns pinch hitter and outfielder Frank Saucier was born on May 28, 1926, in Leslie, Missouri. Although he would only appear in just 18 MLB games in 1951, Saucier was one of the most wanted minor league hitters of his time. A decorated veteran of World War II and Korean War, Saucier saw his playing career as a stepping stone to building a strong business outside of baseball.
A graduate of Washington High School (MO) he would earn a partial basketball scholarship to Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. His high school did not have baseball program, and he has credited his baseball skills to his older brother Clay. In order to supplement his tuition at Westminster, Saucier would join the U.S. Navy's V-12 officer training program. He completed the Navy's accelerated study and training curriculum and was commissioned as an ensign in the final years of the war. He would be assigned to finish his final semester of training at Notre Dame University.
Before leaving for Notre Dame, Saucier was a star on the Westminster basketball and baseball, while maintaining high marks in his studies and officer training program. In 1944, he batted .519 which was a Missouri College Athletic Union record. After serving with the U.S. Navy, where he trained soldiers in beach landing operations in the Pacific, he hoped to return to college, finish his degree, and earn a tryout with the Browns or Cardinals.
Browns chief scout Jack Fournier continued to follow Saucier, and arranged for a visit to Sportsman's Park where Saucier would meet with Browns manager Zack Taylor and owners, Bill and Charlie Dewitt. After graduating from College 1n 1948, Frank Saucier signed with the Browns and was assigned to play for the Belleville Stags, where he would hit .357 in 39 games.
In 1949, Saucier would hit .446 while playing for the Wichita Falls Spudders. This mark was the highest batting average in all levels of professional baseball. He maintained this level of hitting into the 1950 season, where he won the Texas League batting title with a .343 average. The Sporting News named him the "Minor League Player of the Year", and many were comparing him to George Sisler.
Throughout his baseball career, Saucier made it clear that he wanted to use his earnings to build a successful business. He began exploring the Oklahoma oil industry while in the minors, and this venture became so successful that he retired after the 1950 season. New Browns owner Bill Veeck persuaded Saucier out of retirement for the 1951 season. Veeck was aware of his past batting titles, and was hoping Saucier could add a thump to the Browns lineup. He joined the team late, and would have MLB debut against the Yankees on July 21, 1951. Nursing an injured shoulder he received the year before, Saucier would be limited to just 18 games with the Browns. Most of the action would come in the form of a pinch hitter (9 games), or pinch runner (6 games). His best game came on August 7, where he would drive a double off Indians pitcher Mike Garcia.
One of Frank Saucier's most memorable moments came against the Detroit Tigers, in the second game of a double header on August 19, 1951. After playing the up half of the 1st inning in right field, Saucier was pulled for the Eddie Gaedel in one of the biggest promotional stunts in baseball history.
Saucier's baseball career would be interrupted as the Korean War extended into 1951. The U.S. Navy began calling Saucier back into service, and it was revealed that Veeck had failed to inform him of his deployment. Veeck pleaded with the war department to allow Saucier to remain with the team. To Veecks dismay, Saucier's commitments to the Navy were more important than playing baseball. In April of 1954, he was released from active duty and returned to Texas where his oil investments were becoming increasingly successful.
Frank Saucier always stated that baseball would lead him to a better life. His education brought him the knowledge and confidence to pursue his goals. His passion for the U.S. Navy brought him honor and distinction. His business interests evolved from oil to gas and chemicals. Frank Saucier's baseball career was just a stop in his road to personal success. The Browns were honored to have Frank Saucier wear their uniform.
HEADLINE
"BROWNS SCORE 17 RUNS IN
TWIN-BILL SWEEP OF CHISOX"
FEATURED GAMES
1940 - In front of a Sportsman's Park crowd of just 1,800 fans, the Browns would take both ends of a double header against the Chicago White Sox. GAME ONE - Behind an impressive performance by RHP Vern Kennedy, the Browns won a shootout 10-9. Kennedy would battle the
HEADLINE
"BROWNS SCORE 17 RUNS IN
TWIN-BILL SWEEP OF CHISOX"
FEATURED GAMES
1940 - In front of a Sportsman's Park crowd of just 1,800 fans, the Browns would take both ends of a double header against the Chicago White Sox. GAME ONE - Behind an impressive performance by RHP Vern Kennedy, the Browns won a shootout 10-9. Kennedy would battle the White Sox through seven innings, scattering 13 hits, six walks, and seven runs. He would counter the Chicago bats by driving in two runs on his own. The rest of the Browns offense was provided by 1B George McQuinn who hit two home runs (off Johnny Rigney in the third innings, and Ed Weiland in the sixth inning), while driving in four runs and scoring two himself. RF Myril Hoag went 2-for-2, including a home run, while scoring runs and driving in three runs. George Coffman would earn the save for the Browns. GAME TWO - In the nightcap, the Browns bats would drive five extra base hits towards a 7-5 St. Louis win. 2B Johnny Berardino would be a home run shy of hitting for the cycle. he would go 2-for-4, including a double and triple, while driving in two and scoring a run himself. George McQuinn and Myril Hoag would continue the hot hitting by combining for four hits, including two doubles, three runs, and an RBI. LF Rip Radcliff would add some offense by going 2-for-4, with a triple, two runs, and an RBI. RHP Bob Harris would improve his record to 3-1 with the win, while Roxie Lawson would earn his second save
BROWNS' ALL-TIME RECORD ON THIS DAY
23 WINS, 22 LOSSES
(.511 winning percentage)
WINS BY DECADE
1902-09: 4-3
1910-19: 3-5
1920-29: 6-3
1930-39: 3-6
1940-49: 5-2
1950-53: 2-3
DOUBLE-HEADERS ON THIS DAY
TRANSACTIONS
1953 - Browns released RHP Hal White. After spending ten seasons with the Detroit Tigers, White was acquired on December 2, 1952 with Johnny Groth and Virgil Trucks for Owen Friend, Bob Nieman, and Jay Porter. His time with the Browns was only through ten games. He would appear in just ten innings, where he recorded two strikeouts while giving up three runs, eight hits, and an ERA of 2.61. After being released by the Browns, he was quickly picked up by the neighboring Cardinals, where he would finish his career
THERE WERE NO DEBUTS ON THIS DAY
BROWNS' BIRTHDAYS ON THIS DAY
1926 - PH/OF Frank Saucier (1951)
The 1952 St. Louis Browns pitching staff was full of seasoned pitchers, and one the best pitchers in the history of the game. For the previous four seasons, the Browns leaned on the strong arm Ned Garver who finished second in the American League MVP voting in 1951. But after a slow start in 1952 where he was 7-10 in his 21 starts, the Br
The 1952 St. Louis Browns pitching staff was full of seasoned pitchers, and one the best pitchers in the history of the game. For the previous four seasons, the Browns leaned on the strong arm Ned Garver who finished second in the American League MVP voting in 1951. But after a slow start in 1952 where he was 7-10 in his 21 starts, the Browns traded him to the Tigers in an eight player deal. The pitching staff focused on the ageless wonder of Satchel Paige. At the age of 45, Paige led the team in six major pitching categories, including wins (12) and saves (10) {This may be the only time in MLB history that a player led their team in both wins and saves - research is still diving into this fact}. Satchel Paige also led the American League with 35 games finished. He was one of two Browns pitchers to have a winning record (Bob Cain and Satchel Paige were both 12-10). It has been said from everyone who saw him pitch, that Satchel Paige was the greatest of all time. Paige was the only Browns All-Star in 1952. Over half of the staff had an ERA over 4.00, and only eight pitchers had an ERA+ of over 100 (100 being the league average)
Team Pitching Statistics
(American League Rankings)
Player Statistics