St. Louis Browns right-handed pitcher, Ralph Schwamb was born on August 6, 1926 in Los Angeles, California. The history of the tall, lanky pitcher could possibly be the most bizarre in the history of the franchise. Many scouts and players often described his fastball and curve as some of the best they had ever seen. However he was also a
St. Louis Browns right-handed pitcher, Ralph Schwamb was born on August 6, 1926 in Los Angeles, California. The history of the tall, lanky pitcher could possibly be the most bizarre in the history of the franchise. Many scouts and players often described his fastball and curve as some of the best they had ever seen. However he was also a known drinker, brawler, and associate of some of the biggest gangsters in the state of California. It's this dark side of Schwamb that would take him away from any success in baseball.
Ralph Schwamb was one of 25 major league players that attended Washington High School in Los Angeles. He dropped out at the age of 16, and soon began is association with several known criminal elements in the area. He came to draw a following from baseball scouts in the sandlot and semipro leagues of Los Angeles.
Schwamb would join the US Navy on his 17th birthday, but would later be discharged for "bad conduct" after he was jailed for hitting a military officer. He returned to Los Angeles where he continued to star in semipro leagues, but was also known as a "leg breaker" for a local mob boss. Browns scout, Jack Fournier, followed Schwamb's success and signed him as an amateur free agent for $600 in September of 1946.
Schwamb would be assigned to play for the Aberdeen Pheasants (1947), Miami-Globe Browns (1947), and Toledo Mud Hens (1948). Even though he had a 1-9 record and an ERA of 5.14, the Browns issued him a mid-season call-up in July of 1948.
Ralph Schwamb made his MLB debut against the Washington Nationals on July 25, 1948. He would give up two earned runs on seven hits in 6.1 innings pitched. The following start would be his only major league win as he gave up five earned runs on eight hits as the Browns defeated Washington, 10-8. Schwamb would appear in just 12 total games with the Browns from July to September of 1948. Whenever he wasn't pitching, Schwamb was caught drinking, fighting, and challenging authority. The Browns offered Schwamb a contract for the 1949 season, but was often caught breaking team rules while at spring training in Los Angeles. Not prepared for the season, the Browns sent him to the Little Rock Travelers to start the season. After just two games, Schwamb walked away from the game in favor of liquor and fighting.
Ralph Schwamb's statistics with the Browns included 30 earned runs of 44 hits, 21 walks in 31.2 innings pitched. He would only strikeout seven batters in this time and his ERA reached a ballooned 8.53.
The tragic part of Ralph Schwamb's story comes in 1949 when he was sentenced to life in prison after he was convicted of first degree murder. He was implicated with a group of unsavory people in the beating death of a man in Los Angeles. He would spend 12 years between San Quentin and Folsom prisons. Ironically, he would become one of the best pitchers in the history of the U.S. prison system. It was stated that he reached a 131-35 record while pitching behind bars. He also recorded 1565 strikeouts in 1500 innings pitched with a 1.80 ERA. Ralph Schwamb was paroled in January of 1960 at the age of 33.
He attempted a brief comeback with the Hawaii Islanders of the Pacific Coast league, but his skills and attitude had been soured by his time away.
Ralph Schwamb may have been one of the best pitchers of his era if he had been able to live a clean life. Outside temptations and questionable decisions helped his love for fighting and liquor over rule his curve ball and fast ball.
HEADLINES
"THE AGELESS LEGEND, SATCHEL PAIGE, HURLS A 12-INNING, SCORELESS SHUTOUT OF THE DETROIT TIGERS"
FEATURED GAME
1952 - In a classic duel, where both pitchers have nine scoreless innings, Satchel Paige and Bobby Young make the difference over Detroit, 1-0. Paige would last all 12 innings, allowing just 7 hits and a walk. He would st
HEADLINES
"THE AGELESS LEGEND, SATCHEL PAIGE, HURLS A 12-INNING, SCORELESS SHUTOUT OF THE DETROIT TIGERS"
FEATURED GAME
1952 - In a classic duel, where both pitchers have nine scoreless innings, Satchel Paige and Bobby Young make the difference over Detroit, 1-0. Paige would last all 12 innings, allowing just 7 hits and a walk. He would strikeout nine batters, and only allow a one extra-base hit (double to RF Cliff Mapes) The Browns would be held scoreless by future Brownie, Virgil Trucks, who would join St. Louis in 1953. The Browns would have some success without scoring throughout the game. Catcher Clint Courtney would go 3-for-5, including two doubles. 1B Gordon Goldsberry would also drive a double off Trucks. The winning run would come in the bottom of the 12th inning, when 2B Bobby Young leads off the inning with a single. Young would then move to second base on a sacrifice by pinch hitter Fred Marsh, and to third on a fielders choice hit by Goldsberry. Young would score on the single to left field by RF Bob Nieman. The win would be Paige's eighth win of the season.
BROWNS RECORD ON THIS DAY
Overall Record on August 6
20 Wins, 32 Losses (.384)
1902-09: 2-4
1910-19: 0-6
1920-29: 7-7
1930-39: 4-7
1940-49: 4-8
1950-53: 3-0
DOUBLE HEADERS
Sweeps: 2
Splits: 6
Swept: 3
TRANSACTIONS
There were no transactions on this day
DEBUTS
There were no debuts on this day
BROWNS BIRTHDAYS
1903 - LHP Hal Wiltse (1928)
1904 - RHP Herb Cobb (1929)
1905 - UTIL Ed Roetz (1929)
1926 - RHP Ralph Schwamb (1948)
The St. Louis Browns pitching staff may have been lacking in both experience and production in 1935. In breaking down the lineup, only one pitcher (Ivy Andrews) would reach over 200 innings pitched, and five pitchers would give up over 200 hits. The staff would give up a total 641 walks to only 435 strikeouts. The staff would also leave 1
The St. Louis Browns pitching staff may have been lacking in both experience and production in 1935. In breaking down the lineup, only one pitcher (Ivy Andrews) would reach over 200 innings pitched, and five pitchers would give up over 200 hits. The staff would give up a total 641 walks to only 435 strikeouts. The staff would also leave 1298 runners on base, which may sound good but that is a ot of traffic on the base paths. They would have the fewest balks in the league (1), and the third fewest hit batters (18). The staff would produce a league leader in a very crucial category (please see below). Most of the remianing pitching statistics show the 1935 Browns pitching staff was not one of the best staffs in franchise history.
Team Pitching Statistics
(American League Rankings)
Player Statistics