St. Louis Browns RHP Paul Hopkins was born on September 25, 1904 in Chester, Connecticut. His MLB career would last just 11 games between the Washington Senators (1927, 29) and the St. Lous Browns (1929). He would extend his professional career into the several minor league teams from 1927-30.
Even though his career was brief, he would be
St. Louis Browns RHP Paul Hopkins was born on September 25, 1904 in Chester, Connecticut. His MLB career would last just 11 games between the Washington Senators (1927, 29) and the St. Lous Browns (1929). He would extend his professional career into the several minor league teams from 1927-30.
Even though his career was brief, he would be become a note in Baseball's historical statistics. While pitching for the Washington Senators, Hopkins would give up the pitch that Babe Ruth hit his 59th home run.
After graduating from Colgate University, Hoskins began his career with the New Haven Profs in 1927, before being called up to Washington. On September 29, 1927, Hoskins was making his MLB debut in the top of the fifth inning, when he allowed three singles in front of the Yankees legend, Babe Ruth. Ruth would hit a grand slam to deep centerfield and welcome the rookie to the Big Leagues.
Hopkins would spend the 1928 season with the Montreal Royals, and the beginning of the 1929 season with Wichita Falls Spudders.
The Browns would acquire Paul Hoskins off waivers from the Washington Senators on June 10, 1929. Hopkins Browns' career lasted just seven batters, over two innings, and two games. On June 25, he faced four batters, giving up a walk and striking another batter out. On July 12, he faced the minimum, walking one batter followed by a double play. That would conclude the major league career of Paul Hopkins. The Browns released him on December 5, 1929.
Everything leads to Paul Hopkins enjoying the rest of his days. He settled in Middleton, Connecticut, and was involved in the banking industry. He would be asked to relive Babe Ruth's 59th home run in luncheons and speaking engagements. He threw out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium, appeared on the "Late Show" with David Letterman, and took part in several interviews that described baseball in the first half of the 20th century. Paul Hopkins lived a long, joyous life. At the time of his passing, he was the oldest living MLB player.
HEADLINES
"LOWDERMILK GETS HIS SECOND STRAIGHT WIN IN HIS RETURN TO THE BROWNS STAFF"
FEATURED GAME
1917 - The Browns would score four runs in the fourth inning to comeback and beat the Philadelphia Athletics, 4-2. After spending most of the season in Columbus, RHP Grover Lowdermilk returns with his second straight complete game win scatteri
HEADLINES
"LOWDERMILK GETS HIS SECOND STRAIGHT WIN IN HIS RETURN TO THE BROWNS STAFF"
FEATURED GAME
1917 - The Browns would score four runs in the fourth inning to comeback and beat the Philadelphia Athletics, 4-2. After spending most of the season in Columbus, RHP Grover Lowdermilk returns with his second straight complete game win scattering eight hits, three walks, while striking out seven Athletics. The Browns would record eight hits, but all their scoring came in the fourth inning. 3B Jimmy Austin would single, CF Earl Smith walk, and catcher Hank Severeid would then bunt his way on base. This set the stage for a two-run double by RF Ray Demmitt, driving in Austin and Smith. The next batter, 1B Baby Doll Jacobson, would double in Severeid and Demmitt. The four run fourth inning is all Lowdermilk needed for his second straight win.
BROWNS RECORD ON THIS DAY
Overall Record on SEPTEMBER 25
23 Wins, 33 Losses One Tie (.403)
1902-09: 3-5
1910-19: 4-6
1920-29: 5-5
1930-39: 4-10
1940-49: 7-5-1
1950-53: 0-2
DOUBLEADERS
Sweeps: 2
Splits: 5
Swept: 2
TRANSACTIONS
1915 - Browns completed a trade with Little Rock of the American Association by sending C William Rumler, RHP Ernie Manning, INF Clyde Wares, and OF Ernie Walker. The initial trade was made on August 12, when the Browns received OF Carl East and RHP Bill Fincher
DEBUTS
1911 - 2B Allie Moulton would go hitless in his three plate appearances, however he would reach base on a walk and later score. The Browns would fall to the Boston Red Sox, 9-2
1920 - The Browns would have two players debut in the 7-5 win over the Detroit Tigers. RHP Ray Richmond records a complete game victory, scattering five runs, on seven hits, five walks, while striking out two Tigers. Richmond would also single with an RBI. 3B Marty McManus would triple in his three plate appearances, driving in CF Baby Doll Jacobson
1944 - LF Babe Martin would hit a double in his first MLB at bat, in the Browns 3-0 win over the Boston Red Sox. He would later drive in his first run, when Chet Laabs scores on a single to center field
1953 - CF Jim Pisoni would go hitless, including two strikeouts, in the Browns 7-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox
BROWNS BIRTHDAYS ON SEPTEMBER 25
1904 - RHP Paul Hopkins (1929)
The impact of the 1948 St. Louis Browns was not impressive or memorable, but it did set the stage for the following years. In 1948, the Browns were just four years removed from being the American League Champions, and baseball fans would not be able to see the connections. With a series of losing seasons, dropping attendance, and their Ca
The impact of the 1948 St. Louis Browns was not impressive or memorable, but it did set the stage for the following years. In 1948, the Browns were just four years removed from being the American League Champions, and baseball fans would not be able to see the connections. With a series of losing seasons, dropping attendance, and their Cardinal neighbors going through one of their greatest eras, the Browns management was looking to do anything to stay in business. They traded or sold all of their star players from the pennant season, and relied on young talent to get through the season.
The 1948 Browns team was the youngest in the league. There was little slugging power on the team, but they were one of the best in the scrappy game of running the bases and stretching singles into doubles. The pitching staff had some maturing still to do, with its future "Ace" Ned Garver, just a rookie in 1948. First year browns manager, Zack Taylor did everything he could to keep the team competitive. This was not the team to be able to challenege the Yankees for the title. They were still better than the Washington Nationals and Chicago White Sox, so that is one good thing they had going for them in 1948.