St. Louis Browns left-handed pitcher, Hal Schwenk, was born on August 23, 1890 in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania. He would have one of the most unique places in baseball history, one that only a few players have reached. He is still the only player to come from the Schuykill Haven, located in the eastern Pennsylvania approximately 93 mile
St. Louis Browns left-handed pitcher, Hal Schwenk, was born on August 23, 1890 in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania. He would have one of the most unique places in baseball history, one that only a few players have reached. He is still the only player to come from the Schuykill Haven, located in the eastern Pennsylvania approximately 93 miles from Philadelphia.
There is little documented about the life and baseball background of Hal Schwenk. He appeared on the baseball scene at the age of 22 in 1913. He debuted with the Saginaw Ducks of the Class D Southern Michigan League. After going 18-15 with the Ducks, Schwenk was contacted for a September workout with the Browns. There is no transaction history between the Browns and Hal Schwenk.
Schwenk would make his MLB debut with St. Louis on September 4th, against the Chicago White Sox. He would start the game and last the full 11 innings, earning a complete game. He would give up 12 hits, issue four walks, while striking out three batters. He would be credited with 15 ground ball outs, 15 fly ball outs, and four earned runs. Schwenk would earn the win in St. Louis' 5-4 victory over Chicago. This would be the only game Hal Schwenk would appear in the Major Leagues. He would pitch 26 games for the Burlington Pathfinders in 1914 before stepping way from the game.
Hal Schwenk is one of a handful of players to pitch an extra inning, complete game victory in their only Major League appearance. It is believed that only a few pitchers have met this feat, but the number is not clearly documented.
Schwenk would join the general population, and settle down in Kansas City. He would join the US Army during World War I, and serve in the 164 Company of the Depot Brigade.
Hal Schwenk would live a long life and be honored in the Memorial Park Cemetary after his passing in 1955. It could easily be assumed that he told the story of how he shut down the famous Chicago White Sox in his single MLB game.
HEADLINES
"VEECK INTRODUCES 'GRANSTAND MANAGER NIGHT' TO A HUGE SUCCESS"
FEATURED GAME
1951 - "Grandstand Managers Night" vs the Philadelphia Athletics. Bill Veeck had his manager, Zack Taylor, give up his control of the team to "frustrated" fans of St. Louis. In the section directly behind the Browns dugout, 1115 "fan managers" were given c
HEADLINES
"VEECK INTRODUCES 'GRANSTAND MANAGER NIGHT' TO A HUGE SUCCESS"
FEATURED GAME
1951 - "Grandstand Managers Night" vs the Philadelphia Athletics. Bill Veeck had his manager, Zack Taylor, give up his control of the team to "frustrated" fans of St. Louis. In the section directly behind the Browns dugout, 1115 "fan managers" were given cards that would correspond to game time decisions that the manager would need to make. The crowd would be asked questions on what the lineup should be, and what actions the manager should make during the game. They would hold up a "YES" or "NO" card, depend upon the situation. Not all the Grandstands answers were correct, but the Browns would go on to win the game, 5-3. Bill Veeck was disappointed that the widely publicized game, which also included fireworks and an appearance by Max Patkin, only drew 3,925 fans. Historical note, most of the fans who participated in the unique game were women who knew the game and its strategies. Caps off to those ladies.
BROWNS RECORD ON THIS DAY
Overall Record on August 24
30 Wins, 25 Losses (.545)
1902-09: 6-4
1910-19: 3-8
1920-29: 9-3
1930-39: 5-5
1940-49: 6-2
1950-53: 1-3
DOUBLE HEADERS
Sweeps: 5
Splits: 5
Swept: 2
TRANSACTIONS
There were no transactions on this day
DEBUTS
1912 - Carl Weilman enters the game in relief of Buddy Napier. Pitches six innings, giving up eight hits, four runs, a walk and a strike out, in the Browns 9-2 loss to the Philadelphia Athletics
1914 - Grover Baichley enters the gam in relief of Earl Hamilton, appearing in three innings giving up three hits, a walk, and striking out two, in a 7-1 loss to Philadelphia Atheltics.
1914 - 1B/PH Charlie Bold pinch hit for 1B John Leary. He would strikeout in his only MLB at bat in the Browns 7-1 loss to Philadelphia Athletics
1915 - RF/RHP Carl East was the starting pitcher in the Browns 10-7 win over the Philadelpia Athletics. He would give up six runs on six hits with two walks and a strikeout
1920 - RHP Joe DeBerry would pitch a complete game in his debut, allowing a runs on eight hits, four walks, and two strikeouts in the Browns 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Athletic
1937 - LHP Emil Bildilli would start and go three innings, giving up eight runs on eight hits and 2 walks in the Browns 9-6 loss to the Washington Nationals.
BROWNS BIRTHDAYS ON AUGUST 24
There were no birthdays on this day
The St. Louis Browns team of 1934 finished the season with a 67-85 record, and a sixth place finish in the American League. They would finish 33 games behind the Detroit Tigers, who would lose to the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. The Browns would have an interesting season against the American League teams. They were very succe
The St. Louis Browns team of 1934 finished the season with a 67-85 record, and a sixth place finish in the American League. They would finish 33 games behind the Detroit Tigers, who would lose to the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. The Browns would have an interesting season against the American League teams. They were very successful against the teams they had a winning record against (White Sox 14-7, Athletics 12-9, Nationals 14-8), and dismal agaisnt the rest of the league (Red Sox 8-14, Indians 7-15, Tigers 7-15, Yankees 5-17). They failed to post a winning record during any month of the season, but they did have a .500 May. In a season where the Tigers and Yankees dominated the league, the Browns did not have the pitching staff or the lineup to compete with the contenders.
SEASON BREAKDOWN