Browns utility infielder, Owen Friend, was born on March 21, 1927 in Granite City, Illinois. The Browns discovered the young, tall infielder while playing in semi pro leagues across the river from St. Louis. He was signed by Browns scout Fed Hoffman prior to the 1944 season.
Friend would spend most of the next five seasons, playing within
Browns utility infielder, Owen Friend, was born on March 21, 1927 in Granite City, Illinois. The Browns discovered the young, tall infielder while playing in semi pro leagues across the river from St. Louis. He was signed by Browns scout Fed Hoffman prior to the 1944 season.
Friend would spend most of the next five seasons, playing within the Browns minor league system. He would spend time with the Newark Moundsmen (1944), Memphis Chickasaws (1945), Raleigh Capitals (1945), Elmira Pioneers (1946), San Antonio Missions(1947), Springfield Browns (1947), Muskegon Clippers (1948), and back with Elmira to start the 1949 season.
Friend would make his MLB debut on October 2, 1949 during both games of a double header vs the Chicago White Sox. In the twin-bill, he would go 3-for-8 with an RBI and run scored. He would go into the 1950 season, as the Browns starting second baseman. He would play in 119 games (93 at 2B, 24 at 3B, three at SS) hitting a fair .239 with 91 hits including 15 doubles, 8 home runs, and 50 RBIs.
Owen Friend would he drafted into the US Military and serve 2 years in the Korean War. While serving the nation in war, he would be traded on December 2, 1952 to the Tigers, It would be one of the last major trades in Browns history for they would send Friend, Bob Nieman, and Jay Porter to the Tigers, for Johnny Grith, Virgil Trucks, and Hal White.
Once he returned from the War, he would go on and play professional baseball until 1964.
After he retired from playing baseball, he would begin a long, successful scouting and coaching career. He would coach in dozens of teams across Canada and the United States. He would work within the Astros, Orioles, Royals, and Cardinals organizations.
Today's Browns Quote
People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." ~ Browns Manager, Rogers Hornsby
BROWNS' BIRTHDAYS ON THIS DAY
1927 - INF Owen Friend (1949-50)
TRANSACTIONS
1936 - Browns acquire St. Louis baseball legend, "Sunny
Today's Browns Quote
People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." ~ Browns Manager, Rogers Hornsby
BROWNS' BIRTHDAYS ON THIS DAY
1927 - INF Owen Friend (1949-50)
TRANSACTIONS
1936 - Browns acquire St. Louis baseball legend, "Sunny" Jim Bottomley, from the Cincinnati Reds. Bottomley had already enjoyed a 14 year MLB career with the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds. The future Hall of Famer had been named the National League Most Valuable Player in 1928 with the Cardinals, and won two World Series while with the Redbirds. After being traded to Cincinnati in 1933, he continued to be a strong offensive power in their lineup. The Browns brought him in as a player/manager and public relations hero. In the middle of the Great Depression, the Browns were desparate to attract the St. Louis fans to the ballpark. The Browns traded utility infielder to the Reds for the older Bottomley. He would start a first base for the Browns for most of the 196-37 seasons. In those two seasons, he would hit .288 with 107 RBIs and an .804 OPS. He would also serve as the Browns manager in 1937. He took over for Roger Hornsby midway through the season, and would lead the team to a 21-56 record.
The 1933 St. Louis Browns team were a team struggling through the rigors of the Great Depression. This team was suffering through more than most with a limited payroll, tragically low attendance, and a National League neighbor that was enjoying all the success of the era.
The Browns finished the season with 63-91 record, which placed them
The 1933 St. Louis Browns team were a team struggling through the rigors of the Great Depression. This team was suffering through more than most with a limited payroll, tragically low attendance, and a National League neighbor that was enjoying all the success of the era.
The Browns finished the season with 63-91 record, which placed them in the basement of the American league for the first time since 1913. They finshed 43.5 games behind the A.L. champion New York Yankees, and nine games behind the seventh place Boston Red Sox. It was the first time in team history that they failed to draw 100,000 fans in a season. Only 81,113 true Browns fans came to see them play at Sportsman's Park (about 1,200 fans per game).
Meanwhile, the National League Cardinals were between World Series Championships in 1931 and 1934.
Browns owner Phil Ball lost over $240,000 during the season. He would later pass on October 22, 1933, leaving the leadership of this franchise in complete disarray. The Browns were looking for anything to spark them this season. They looked to three different managers, all of whom could not change the outcome of this team.
With 54 games left in the season, the Browns hired former St. Louis legend Rogers Hornsby to lead the club. As a player/mamager the team only won 19 of the remianing games, as Hornsby hit .333 in a limited role. He was given nearly full control as he proclaimed how he could change the fortunes of the team if they listened to him.
Unfortunately the Browns did not have the financial stability at the time to allow Hornsby to build the team as he wished. Constant tension built up between the Hornsby and management. This was the beginning of one of the most challenging times in Browns history.