St. Louis Browns catcher Sam Harshaney was born on April 24, 1910, in Madison, Illinois. Harshaney is the only MLB player to be from Madison, which is just northeast across the Mississippi River from St. Louis. He is also the only player to attend and play baseball at Shurtleff College (Alton, Illinois), before moving on to the Universit
St. Louis Browns catcher Sam Harshaney was born on April 24, 1910, in Madison, Illinois. Harshaney is the only MLB player to be from Madison, which is just northeast across the Mississippi River from St. Louis. He is also the only player to attend and play baseball at Shurtleff College (Alton, Illinois), before moving on to the University of Illinois.
Harshany would play his entire career in the Browns organization. Although there are no transaction records to explain his movement though the organization, he would enjoy nine seasons with St. Louis. Harshaney began his career with the San Antonio Missions in 1934 at the age of 24. He had four soild years with the Missions, which included 523 hits in 505 games, while hitting over .310 in three of the four seasons.
He would be a late season call up to the Browns, and would make his MLB debut on Septemebr 28, 1937. He entered the game as a pinch hitter for RHP Bill Trotter and would earn a walk from Detroit's George Gill. Over the next three seasons (1938-40), Harshaney would shift between the Browns and their minor league affiliates Toronto Maple Leafs (1938-39) and San Antonio Missions (1940). He would platoon at catcher with John Sullivan, Joe Glenn, and Bob Swift while with the Browns. He would appear in 61 games, recording 43 hits, including three doubles, 15 runs driven in, and while scoring 17 runs himself.
Harshaney's best season came in 1939 when he had 35 hits in 42 games while recording all 15 RBIs in his career. With the addition of Rick Ferrell in 1941, Harshaney's time with the Browns became limited, and was optioned to the Toledo Mud Hens.
Like many players of his era, Sam Harshaney would place his baseball career on hold and join the US military during World War II. He served in the US Navy from 1942-45, but was still able to play within military troop leagues.
Upon returning from duty, Harshaney would rejoin the Mud Hens before playing for the Austin Pioneers in 1947. Sam Harshaney would serve as a player-manager over the final six years of his baseball career with several minor league clubs throughout the state of Texas. He spent time leading the Del Rio Cowboys (1948), San Angelo Colts (1949), Harlingen Capitals (1950-51, 54), and the Brownsville Charros (1953). He even took the mound in these years when needed and posted a 1-0 record in 18 games.
Sam Harshaney would retire from baseball and settle down in San Antonio, Texas. He had plenty of stories about his military service, college days, and his baseball life with the Browns to share with his friend and family.
HEADLINE
"CHARLIE HEMPHILL DRIVES IN A PAIR IN 11-INNING WIN OVER TIGERS"
FEATURED GAME
1904 - The Browns defeat the Detroit Tigers 3-1 in 11 innings. St. Louis pitcher Harry Howell would pitch a complete game, scattering seven hits, two walks, and three strikeouts over 11 innings. The Tigers pitcher, Bill Donovan would also pitch a complete
HEADLINE
"CHARLIE HEMPHILL DRIVES IN A PAIR IN 11-INNING WIN OVER TIGERS"
FEATURED GAME
1904 - The Browns defeat the Detroit Tigers 3-1 in 11 innings. St. Louis pitcher Harry Howell would pitch a complete game, scattering seven hits, two walks, and three strikeouts over 11 innings. The Tigers pitcher, Bill Donovan would also pitch a complete game, giving up ten hits, three walks , and two strikeouts. The Browns would score first in the sixth inning as RF Charlie Hemphill would drive in CF Emmitt Heidrick off Donovan. The Tigers countered with a run in the seventh inning, as 3B Ed Grimminger drives in RF Rabbit Robertson off Howell. The winning hit came in the Browns half of the 11th inning, as Hemphill drives in Heidrick and leadoff man, Jesse Burkett.
WP Harry Howell (1-0) LP Bill Donovan (0-1)
BROWNS' ALL-TIME RECORD ON THIS DAY
18 WINS, 25 LOSES, 1 TIE
1902-09: 5-3
1910-19: 1-7
1920-29: 6-2-1
1930-39: 3-6
1940-49: 2-4
1950-53: 1-3
DOUBLE-HEADERS: 1-1
Sweep: 1
Swept: 1
TRANSACTIONS
1946 - The Browns purchase the contract of 1B/3B Babe Dahlgren from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Dahlgren had hit .318 in 144 games with the Pirates in 1945. The Browns were hoping for equal production, but Dahlgren's ailing shoulder prevented him from reaching his career numbers. He would only play in 28 games for the Browns, and collect nine RBIs in 14 hits.
DEBUTS
BROWNS' BIRTHDAYS ON THIS DAY
1915 - RHP Walter Brown (1947)
1896 - RHP Elan Vangilder (1919-27)
1900 - 1B Jim Bottomley (1936-37)
The impact of the 1941 St. Louis Browns was that this team began to realize how good they could be. After surviving the 1930s, the Browns began to settle down with a team that would stay together towards their championship in 1944.
The biggest change came with the hiring of Luke Sewell. he would guide the team to a .500 record after takin
The impact of the 1941 St. Louis Browns was that this team began to realize how good they could be. After surviving the 1930s, the Browns began to settle down with a team that would stay together towards their championship in 1944.
The biggest change came with the hiring of Luke Sewell. he would guide the team to a .500 record after taking leadership of the team. He would make an immediate impact in shaping the pitching staff and bringing a new mentality to the organization. Sewell would be challenged by the Browns best offensive weapons, Roy Cullenbine and Harland Clift. These two sluggers led the team in almost every category, but did not understand the intensity of Sewell. Both of these players would not be around to enjoy the pennant winning team of 1944.
This team enjoyed the best record of any Browns team since 1929, and they were the backbone of teams to come.