St.Louis Browns right-handed pitcher, Bob Harris, was born on May 1, 1915, in Gillette, Wyoming. In the history of Major League Baseball, only 17 players have come from the state of Wyoming. Bob Harris was the first player in the American League from the "Equality State". He would play his college baseball at Western Nebraska Community Co
St.Louis Browns right-handed pitcher, Bob Harris, was born on May 1, 1915, in Gillette, Wyoming. In the history of Major League Baseball, only 17 players have come from the state of Wyoming. Bob Harris was the first player in the American League from the "Equality State". He would play his college baseball at Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. He is the only "Cougar" (WNCC mascot) in MLB history.
Bob Harris was signed by the Detroit Tigers in 1935, an assigned to the Alexandria Aces of the Evangeline League. On May 27, 1936, he would pitch a no-hitter for the Aces over Rayne Rice Birds on his way to winning 18 games. He would play the second half of the 1936 season with the Savannah Indians (17-16, 3.58 ERA), before being brought up to the Major Leagues in 1937.
Harris would spend most of two seasons with the Detroit Tigers (1938-39), but would only see action in eight major league games. He saw most of his action with the Beaumont Explorers (1937), and Toledo Mud Hens (1938). Bob Harris came to the Browns in a ten-player deal with the Tigers. The Tigers sent Harris, 3B Mark Christman, RHP George Gill, RHP Vern Kennedy, OF Chet Laabs and RHP Roxie Lawson to the St. Louis Browns for 1B Beau Bell, 2B Red Kress, RHP Bobo Newsom and RHP Jim Walkup.
Harris would become a solid member of the pitching staff from 1939-42. He would appear in 540 innings over 103 games with St. Louis. He started 79 games, throwing 23 complete games, and recording three shut outs. Harris' best game with the Browns would come on June 27, 1941 when he hurled a 9-0, complete game shutout over the Tigers. He would record 27 wins in his four seasons, with 163 strikeouts and an ERA of 5.25. The Browns moved Harris and catcher Bob Swift to the Philadelphia Athletics for catcher Frankie Hayes on, June 1, 1942.
After finishing the1942 season the the A's, Bob Harris was drafted into the US Navy during the second half of World War II. He would serve in the Pacific Theater through 1945. Harris returned to baseball in 1946, splitting time between the Milwaukee Brewers and Mud Hens.
Bob Harris would settle down in North Platte, Nebraska, after he retired from baseball. He would work in the incsurance field as an agent and adjuster. It would be safe to assume he spent many days talking about his baseball career with the St. Louis Browns.
HEADLINE
"CROWDER'S GEM EXTENDS THE BROWNS LEAD IN THE AMERICAN LEAGUE RACE"
FEATURED GAME
1929 - The first place Browns continue their torrid start to the 1929 bseason by beating the Cleveland Indians, 4-3. Pitcher General Crowder would command the entire Indians lineup. In his complete game victory he would scatter eight hits and a walk,
HEADLINE
"CROWDER'S GEM EXTENDS THE BROWNS LEAD IN THE AMERICAN LEAGUE RACE"
FEATURED GAME
1929 - The first place Browns continue their torrid start to the 1929 bseason by beating the Cleveland Indians, 4-3. Pitcher General Crowder would command the entire Indians lineup. In his complete game victory he would scatter eight hits and a walk, and only gave up three runs. The offense would rally ten singles on the day, and be lead by CF Frank O'Rourke (3-for-4, run scored) and LF Heinie Manush (2-for-5, RBI). The final two runs from the Browns would be driven by RF Frank McGowan and 2B Oscar Melillo, both without registering a hit. This was the Browns fourth win in a row, and seventh in eight games. It brought their record to 11-8, with a games and half lead in the American League
BROWNS' ALL-TIME RECORD ON THIS DAY
17 WINS, 23 LOSSES
1902-09: 4-3
1910-19: 3-2
1920-29: 3-7
1930-39: 3-3
1940-49: 3-6
1950-53: 1-2
DOUBLE-HEADERS:
Loss: 1949
TRANSACTIONS
1924 - Browns sell the player rights of C/OF Johnny Schulte to the Toledo Mud Hens of the American Association. The Browns had been watching Schulte for a few years before letting him go. In 1922 while with the Mobile Bears, he batted .358 in 89 games. In 1923, he made the Browns Opening Day roster, and debuted as a pinch hitter on April 18, 1923. However in the seven games he played with the Browns, he failed to get a hit or drive in a run. he was optioned to the San Antonio Missions for the rest of the season. The Fredericktown, Missouri native would return to the Browns in 1932.
THERE WERE NO DEBUTS ON THIS DAY
BROWNS' BIRTHDAYS ON THIS DAY
1896 - RHP Heinie Meine (1922)
1917 - INF Johnny Berardino (1939-42, 51)
1915 - RHP Bob Harris (1939-42)
1919 - OF Al Zarilla (1943-49, 52)
There was little impact from the 1911 St. Louis Browns team, except that everything had to get better in their future. This team had the talent, but Just didn’t mesh as a collective unit.
Bobby Wallace was thrust into the managerial position, and his lack of interest may have rubbed off on the team. Frank LaPorte and Jimmy Austin did thei
There was little impact from the 1911 St. Louis Browns team, except that everything had to get better in their future. This team had the talent, but Just didn’t mesh as a collective unit.
Bobby Wallace was thrust into the managerial position, and his lack of interest may have rubbed off on the team. Frank LaPorte and Jimmy Austin did their best to drive the offense, but this was an offense that built for speed instead of power. Barney Pelty and Joe Lake led the pitching staff that did not hold up much in the 1911 American League. Ironically, the pitching staff that was at the bottom of the league in 1911, would be one of the best in the American league in 2025. This team would only win 45 games in 1911, which would be the worst in their history. This team would stay together for most of the decade, and see their performances all improve.