St. Louis Browns right-handed pitcher Roxie Lawson was born on April 13, 1906 in Donnellson, Iowa. He as born Alfred Voyle Lawson, and is the only player from Donnellson to make it to the Major Leagues. In his 14-year professional baseball career, he would play eight seasons in the minor leagues (five teams) and nine seasons in the Major
St. Louis Browns right-handed pitcher Roxie Lawson was born on April 13, 1906 in Donnellson, Iowa. He as born Alfred Voyle Lawson, and is the only player from Donnellson to make it to the Major Leagues. In his 14-year professional baseball career, he would play eight seasons in the minor leagues (five teams) and nine seasons in the Majors (three teams).
"Roxie" a name he was always known by, earned a baseball scholarship to Iowa Wesleyan College (IWC) after graduating from high school. He would be the first player Iowa Wesleyan to reach the Major Leagues. However his time at IWC was limited to just the 1925 season. In 1925 he accepted $10 for playing for the semipro team Eagle-Legion team, and his college administrators and cancelled his college eligibility. From 1926-28, Lawson played with several semipro teams throughout the Iowa region.
The success he experienced in these league gained the attention of the Cleveland Indians scout, Cy Slapnicka, who signed Lawson to a contract and sent him to the Terre Haute Tots. After a 22-11 record with the Tots, the Indians brought him up to the Major Leagues for the 1930-31 season. He would appear in just 24 games before being released by Cleveland after the 1931 season. Lawson would sign on with the Toledo Mud Hens where he shined in 894 innings over 153 games, reaching a 53-47 record (1932-33, 34-35).
Proving he could be a strong starting pitcher, Lawson returned to the Major Leagues with the Detroit Tigers from 1933-39. He would start 60 of 118 games he appeared in for the Indians, including a key pitcher on the 1935 World Series championship team. After pitching in just two games with the Tigers in 1939, Roxie Lawson was a part of the biggest trades in Major League Baseball history.
The Tigers and Browns would exchange ten players on May 13, 1939. The Browns received Lawson, 3B Mark Christman, RHP George Gill, RHP Bob Harris, RHP Vern Kennedy and OF Chet Laabs from the Tigers for 1B Beau Bell, INF Red Kress, RHP Bobo Newsom, and RHP Jim Walkup. Over the next two season (1939-40), Roxie Lawson was a solid pitcher in the Browns bullpen. He would see action in 66 games for the Browns, where he hurled 222.2 strong innings. Lawson started 16 games while finishing 30 games, and earning just four saves. In the time in which Lawson was a member of the Browns staff, St. Louis suffered from one of the darkest eras in franchise history. Lawson's stats reflected little run support and a weak starting staff. He allowed 137 walks compared to 61 strikeouts, and an elevated ERA of 5.25.
Prior to the 1941 season, the Browns sent Lawsons contract to the Brooklyn and he would spend the last years of his career in the Dodgers minor leagues. Like many of the players of his era, Lawson would spend the war years serving in the American military. He joined the US Navy where he was a gunner protecting Traverse City Naval Base, and later worked as a recruiter through 1946. After returning from the military, Roxie Lawson was a minor league manager (1947-48), before becoming an umpire in the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League (1949-51).
Lawson would retire from baseball in 1952, where he became an automobile salesman until 1959. He returned to Iowa where he began to focus on his local community efforts. He owned a local restaurant, the Brass Rail, repaired clocks, and build elaborate bird houses for his favor locations in Keosauqua, Iowa. In his older years, his family and friends called him "Big Daddy" and he lived a long and rewarding life.
HEADLINE
"WEST'S PERFECT DAY CAN'T SAVE BROWNS"
1933 - Browns All-Star in 1933, center fielder Sam West, would have a great day in the 11-7 loss to the Chicago White Sox. West would go 6-for-6 including a double. He would record seven total bases, score two runs, and drive in a run.
FEATURED GAME
1928 - Browns would defeat the Detroit Tiger
HEADLINE
"WEST'S PERFECT DAY CAN'T SAVE BROWNS"
1933 - Browns All-Star in 1933, center fielder Sam West, would have a great day in the 11-7 loss to the Chicago White Sox. West would go 6-for-6 including a double. He would record seven total bases, score two runs, and drive in a run.
FEATURED GAME
1928 - Browns would defeat the Detroit Tigers in 11 innings, 4-3. Ernie Nevers would win his first game of the season after coming in relief of George Blaeholder in the eighth inning. Down by a run in the top of the nineth inning, Pinch Hitter Clyde Manion would homer off of Tiger pitcher Sam Gibson. The winning run would come in top of the 11th inning when a wild pitch from Elam Vangilder would score Browns 3B Ollie Sax. The 4-3 victory would be in front of only 3,000 fan in Detroit.
WP - Ernie Nevers LP - Elam Vangilder.
BROWNS' ALL-TIME RECORD ON THIS DAY
7 WINS, 5 LOSES
1902-09: 0-1
1910-19: 4-1
1920-29: 3-1
1930-39: 0-2
TRANSACTIONS
1952 - Browns sell the player contract of Bill Kennedy to the Chicago White Sox. In 1951, Kennedy would see action in 19 games, where he started five and finished four games. He would reach a 1-5 record with 29 strikeouts, 56 walks, and an ERA of 5.79
DEBUTS
1913 - Five Browns would make their MLB debut in a 7-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox. LHP Walt Leverenz would start the game, pitch into the 6th inning, while earning the loss. He would scatter four hits, six walks, and allow six runs to score, while striking out a pair. Dee Walsh would start the game at shortstop and go 1-for-2, Ernie Walker would come in as a pitch hitter for Sam Agnew and go 0-for-1. Luther Bonin would see action as a pinch hitter for Sam Allison and go hitless. RHP Dwight Stone would pitch the final 2 innings and not allow a run
1928 - In the game that was featured above, two Browns players would make their MLB debut and play a critical role in the winning play. RF Fred Bennett would replace Heinie Manush in the eighth inning, and go 1-for-2. He was at bat in the top of the 11th inning facing Elam Vangilder. 3B Ollie Sax drew a walk in the top of the 11th inning. With Fred Bennett at bat, Elam Vangilder would hurl a wild pitch and Sax would score the winning run
1933 - RHP Jack Knott would make his MLB debut vs the Chicago White Sox. He would pitch seven strong innings, giving up four runs (only one earned run), 11 hits, and striking out two. The Browns would lose the game, but Knott was NOT involved in the decision.
BROWNS' BIRTHDAYS ON THIS DAY
The 1902 Browns began play in the second year of newly organized American League. The A.L. looked at lot different in 1902 than it does today, but the competition was fair and the teams posed serious challenges to the established National League. The Browns went 78-58-4 which would be one of the best records of the decade. They were compe
The 1902 Browns began play in the second year of newly organized American League. The A.L. looked at lot different in 1902 than it does today, but the competition was fair and the teams posed serious challenges to the established National League. The Browns went 78-58-4 which would be one of the best records of the decade. They were competitive in both their offensive numbers and pitching stats.
The 1929 Season Breakdown: