The St. Louis Browns catcher, Benard Oliver Bengough was born On July 27, 1898 in Niagra Falls, New York. Forever known by his nickname of "Benny", he would build himself a lifetime in baseball than began as an 18-year old catcher prospect. By the end of his career he would appear in three World Series, coach and manage in the minor leagu
The St. Louis Browns catcher, Benard Oliver Bengough was born On July 27, 1898 in Niagra Falls, New York. Forever known by his nickname of "Benny", he would build himself a lifetime in baseball than began as an 18-year old catcher prospect. By the end of his career he would appear in three World Series, coach and manage in the minor leagues, and use his charm in the broadcasting booth.
"Benny" considered Babe Ruth his friend, stood beside Lou Gehrig as he made his "Luckiest Man" speech in New York, and helped build the 1950 Philadelphia Phillies team that won the National League pennant. Over the course of his incredible career, Benny Bengough would only spend two seasons with the St. Louis Browns (1931-32).
After attending and playing baseball at Niagara University, he would spend the next six years with the local Buffalo Bison of the American Association, before his debut with the New York Yankees in 1923. Over the next eight seasons, he played with the legends of the game while appearing primarily as a backup catcher. After playing in three World Series with the Yankees, Bengough would lose his position to legendary catcher Bill Dickey. His contract was purchased by the Milwaukee Brewers of the American Association on October 24, 1930.
The Browns would acquire Benny Bengough from the Brewers on July 17, 1931 for catcher Jack Crouch. He would end up playing the majority of the games that season after catcher Rick Ferrell broke his arm. In parts of two seasons with the Browns, he would bat .251 over the course of 94 games. He tallied 78 hits, including 11 doubles, two triples, while driving in 27 runs. With six catchers on the Browns roster prior to the 1933 season, Bengough returned to Milwaukee where he played under manager Frank O'Rourke, former Browns' teammate.
Bengough would go on to be the Player/Manager for the Washington Generals (1934-35), and the Joplins Miners (1936-37). It has been said that Bengough had an incredible knowledge of opposing batters, and was always talking behind the plate. He would remind rookies how difficult hitting was, while talking about farms and families with the opposing veterans.
He took on several coaching positions which kept him in the game for the next 20 years. He spent time with the Newark Bears (1938-39), before moving to the big leagues where his coached with the Washington Senators (1940-43), Boston Braves (1944-45), and Philadelphia Phillies (1946-58). His personality was perfect for early baseball boradcasts. He would host the postgame broadcasts for the Phillies, and was known for his famous sign off "And as I always say, to be a big leaguer, think big league". Benny Bengough was everything good that baseball should be.
HEADLINES
"KEN WILLIAMS BELTS HIS FIRST HOMER IN A SERIES NEVER SEEN BEFORE IN MLB HISTORY"
Ken Williams would be the first player to hit a home run in six consecutive games. (July 27-August 2)
FEATURED GAME
1943 - In a game where the Browns were out-hit ten to six, and committed two errors, St. Louis would come from behind and defeat the Phi
HEADLINES
"KEN WILLIAMS BELTS HIS FIRST HOMER IN A SERIES NEVER SEEN BEFORE IN MLB HISTORY"
Ken Williams would be the first player to hit a home run in six consecutive games. (July 27-August 2)
FEATURED GAME
1943 - In a game where the Browns were out-hit ten to six, and committed two errors, St. Louis would come from behind and defeat the Philadelphia Athletics, 5-1. RHP Nels Potter would pitch a complete game while giving up ten singles, without an extra base hits or a single walk. The Athletics would score their only run in the third inning, only to see the Browns tie the game with a home run from LF Chet Laabs in the sixth inning. The Browns would add two more runs in the seventh inning on hits by CF Mike Kreevich and Nels Potter. They added two more run in the ninth inning on hits by catcher Frankie Hayes and a home run by George McQuinn. McQuinn would collect two hits, including the home run, while scoring two, and driving one run in.
BROWNS RECORD ON THIS DAY
Overall Record on July 28
17 Wins, 28 Losses (.377)
1902-09: 2-2
1910-19: 4-6
1920-29: 2-6-1
1930-39: 5-6
1940-49: 3-6
1950-53: 2-1
DOUBLE HEADERS
Sweeps: 0
Splits: 3
Swept: 3
TRANSACTIONS
1952 - Browns traded Catcher Darrell Johnson and OF Jim Rivera to the Chicago White Sox for OF Ray Coleman and C/OF Jay Porter. Prior to this trade, Johnson served primarily as a backup to Clint Courtney, and Rivera was hitting .256 as the Browns starting center fielder. Ray Coleman was returning to St. Louis for the third time in his five year career. He had a .265 lifetime batting average with the Browns. Jay Porter would bat .250 in his 33 games in St. Louis. he would spend thenext two seasons serving in the US Military during the Korean War.
DEBUTS
1921 - 2B Luke Stuart would be a defensive replacement for Jimmy Austin in the bottom of the eighth inning. He would not be able to bat or field his position in the Browns' 6-0 loss to the New York Yankees.
BROWNS BIRTHDAYS
There are no birthdays today
The manager for the 1917 St. Louis Browns was Fielder Jones, who had come to the Browns after spending two seasons with the St. Louis Terriers of the Federal League. He had led the Terriers to the best record in the Federal League in 1915 with an 87-67 mark.
Prior to spending time in St. Louis, Jones had been the player manager of the Chi
The manager for the 1917 St. Louis Browns was Fielder Jones, who had come to the Browns after spending two seasons with the St. Louis Terriers of the Federal League. He had led the Terriers to the best record in the Federal League in 1915 with an 87-67 mark.
Prior to spending time in St. Louis, Jones had been the player manager of the Chicago white Sox from 1904-08, leading the team to the World Championship in 1906. In his three seasons with the Browns, he would reach a 158-196 record.
Jones played for five seasons with the Brooklyn Bridegrooms from 1896-1900, and then nine seasons with Chicago White Sox from 1901-08. After a dispute with White Sox management, Jones quit the team and worked in the lumber industry in the Pacific Northwest. He returned to managing with the Terriers in 1914.
This would be Jones' last full season in St. Louis. Whether he did not have the veteran talent, a balanced lineup, or was just not able to motivate the players, Fielder Jones did very little to increase the number of wins from season to season.