St. Louis Browns pinch hitter, Tom Tennant, was born on July 3, 1882 in Monroe, Wisconsin. Within the minor leagues, Tennant would be one of the finest hitters of his era. He would put together a 12-year career playing for 11 different organizations, including the St. Louis Browns.
Even though his time with the Browns was brief, he would
St. Louis Browns pinch hitter, Tom Tennant, was born on July 3, 1882 in Monroe, Wisconsin. Within the minor leagues, Tennant would be one of the finest hitters of his era. He would put together a 12-year career playing for 11 different organizations, including the St. Louis Browns.
Even though his time with the Browns was brief, he would record 1815 hits and 1845 total bases in 1728 professional games. This would include 242 doubles, 44 triples, and 50 stolen bases.
Tom Tennant graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1906. He had already played a season with the Green Bay Colts (1905), but his .313 average and 141 hits in 1906 would lead the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League. He would play two seasons with the Decatur Commodores (1907-08), and led that league batting average (.310), and hits (164) in 1908. Tennant would then move on to the San Francisco Seals (1909-11) of the Pacific Coast League where he led the league with 231 hits in 1910.
After 179 hits in 179 games in 1911, the Browns invited him to spring training in 1911, where he won a spot on the opening day roster. Tennant would make his MLB debut on April 18, 1912 against the Chicago White Sox. He would enter the game as a pinch runner for RHP Hank Spencer in the ninth inning. He would be reach base on a throwing error by shortstop Buck Weaver and later score a run. On April 21, he would pinch hit for RHP Mack Allison in the bottom of the seventh inning against the White Sox. This plate appearance would result in a fielders choice ground out to the pitcher. That would be the end of the Major League career of Tom Tennant. His official stats include two games, two plate appearances, and one run scored.
Tennant would be released to the Sioux City Packers for the remaining of the 1912 season. He would go on to have 183 hits, including 33 doubles and a batting average of .312. He would play two seasons with the Sacramento Sacts (1913-14) where he hit .299 with 220 hits and 47 doubles in 1913. His final few seasons included time with the Salt Lake City Bees (1915), Memphis Chickasaws (1916), Mobile Sea Gulls (1916), and Evansville Evas (1916).
He retired from playing professional baseball after the 1916 season. Tom Tennant would go on to work for the Pelton Water Company for 30 years before retiring in 1950. He would settle down in San Carlos, California, where he told stories of his many titles and his time with the St. Louis Browns.
HEADLINE
"BROWNS LEGEND, GEORGE SISLER, WILL MAKE HIS FIRST MLB START AGAINST THE CLEVELAND
FEATURED GAME
1915 - Browns rookie LHP George Sisler would earn a complete game victory in his first MLB start by defeating the Cleveland Indians, 3-1. Sisler was a college pitcher at the University of Michigan, and was originally drafted by the Brow
HEADLINE
"BROWNS LEGEND, GEORGE SISLER, WILL MAKE HIS FIRST MLB START AGAINST THE CLEVELAND
FEATURED GAME
1915 - Browns rookie LHP George Sisler would earn a complete game victory in his first MLB start by defeating the Cleveland Indians, 3-1. Sisler was a college pitcher at the University of Michigan, and was originally drafted by the Browns as a pitcher. His first MLB game would come in a relief appearance on June 28 vs, the Chicago White Sox. On this day, Sisler would strike out nine Cleveland batters while walking another nine batters. He would issue a run on seven hits, including a hit by Shoeless Joe Jackson. Indians pitcher Roy Walker would duel with Sisler, and allow only six hits to the St. Louis batters. CF Tillie Walker and RF Ernie Walker would both record two hits and a run each. Catcher Hank Severeid would also record a hit and a run. The real story was Sisler for as good of a pitcher he was, his future would be playing first base and becoming one of the best hitters in the 20th century.
BROWNS RECORD ON THIS DAY
Overall Record on July 3
12 Wins, 31 Losses (.363)
1902-09: 2-4
1910-19: 4-7
1920-29: 2-7
1930-39: 2-6
1940-49: 1-6
1950-53: 1-1
DOUBLE HEADERS
Sweeps: 0
Splits: 2
Swept: 3
TRANSACTIONS
There were no transactions made on this day
DEBUTS
There were no debuts on this day
BROWNS BIRTHDAYS
1892 - 1B/LF Bunny Brief (1912-13)
1882 - PH Tom Tennant (1912)
1886 - SS/OF Mike Balenti (1913)
The impact of the 1930 St. Browns came in the idea that the team was not quite ready to be successful. This Browns team would finish the season with a record of 64-90, and finish in sixth place.
This team had a handful of stars that would have impressive seasons, but unfortunately they did not not have enough successful players to make a
The impact of the 1930 St. Browns came in the idea that the team was not quite ready to be successful. This Browns team would finish the season with a record of 64-90, and finish in sixth place.
This team had a handful of stars that would have impressive seasons, but unfortunately they did not not have enough successful players to make a run at the pennant. After a midseason trade, the Browns LF Goose Goslin would show the kind of power the Browns had not seen since the days of Ken Williams. After playing only 101 games with St. Louis, he would lead the team in home runs (30), batting average (.326), and offensive WAR (4.8).
The Browns best pitcher would be LHP Lefty Stewart who would lead the team in 10 major pitching categories, including wins (20), complete games (23), strikeouts (79), and ERA (3.45). There were other notable players on this team. Future Hall of Fame catcher Rick Ferrell would be in his first full season as the Browns backstop. SS Red Kress would led the team with 192 hits, 43 doubles, and 112 RBIs.
The manager of the Browns was Bill Killefer, who was respected by his team and the rest of the league. This team would would be the first example of the under performing Browns teams that existed in the 1930s.
The Depression Era of baseball hit the Browns hard and this was the first of many that tested the loyalty of St. Louis fans.