One of the greatest player in Browns history, first baseman George McQuinn was born on May 29, 1910 in Arlington, Virginia. McQuinn would spend eight seasons as the leader of the Browns (1938-45). He was a four-time American League All-Star, who was often compared to George Sisler. He was known as the best fielding first basemen of the er
One of the greatest player in Browns history, first baseman George McQuinn was born on May 29, 1910 in Arlington, Virginia. McQuinn would spend eight seasons as the leader of the Browns (1938-45). He was a four-time American League All-Star, who was often compared to George Sisler. He was known as the best fielding first basemen of the era.
As an example of how McQuinn was valued, it has been written that the New York Yankees were interested in having McQuinn replace Lou Gehrig, and that the Dodgers were offering two-time MVP Dolph Camilli for McQuinn's services.
The Browns acquired George McQuinn from the Yankees in the 1937 Rule 5 draft. Beginning in 1938, he would average 142 games a season, and a .283 batting average with the Browns. McQuinn would hit 254 doubles, 47 triples, 108 home runs, and drive in 794 runs while playing in St. Louis. He would also lead all American League first basemen in fielding percentage three times (1940, 41, 44), and have a career fielding percentage of .992. On July 19, 1941, George McQuinn would hit for the cycle against the Boston Red Sox.
During the 1944 Championship season, McQuinn played a pivotal role in the Browns reaching the World Series. In Game One of the World Series, McQuinn would hit a home run off Cardinals pitch Mort Cooper, to lead the Browns to victory. After eight seasons, he would be traded to the Athletics after the 1945 season for 1B/LF Dick Siebert.
George McQuinn is ranked seventh in the Top 100 Browns of All Time list found on this site.
FUN NOTE: After seizing the American League pennant in 1944, Mc Quinn and Browns pitcher Sig Jakucki argued for the winning baseball from the clinching game over the Yankees. Realizing they couldn't cut the ball in half, they agreed to to flip a coin for the ball. McQuinn went home with the baseball.
HEADLINE
"BROWNS EDGE CLEVELAND AS EACH PLAYER ADD TO WIN"
FEATURED GAMES
1926 - The Browns offense would erupt for 14 hits, where every player would get a hit, as the Browns edge the Cleveland Indians, 5-4. After going down early 0-2, Browns starting pitcher Milt Gaston would hit his first home run of the season. The rest of the Browns bat
HEADLINE
"BROWNS EDGE CLEVELAND AS EACH PLAYER ADD TO WIN"
FEATURED GAMES
1926 - The Browns offense would erupt for 14 hits, where every player would get a hit, as the Browns edge the Cleveland Indians, 5-4. After going down early 0-2, Browns starting pitcher Milt Gaston would hit his first home run of the season. The rest of the Browns bats followed. Catcher Pinky Hargrave would add another home run, plus a triple, while going 2-for-4. 1B George Sisler, 2B Oscar Melillo, and CF Baby Doll Jacobson would all register two hits plus a double each. 3B Marty McManus would get two hits including the game winning RBI in the seventh inning. Gaston would pitch a complete game, earning his 5th win of the season
BROWNS' ALL-TIME RECORD ON THIS DAY
17 WINS, 25 LOSSES, ONE TIE
(.395 winning percentage)
WINS BY DECADE
1902-09: 2-4
1910-19: 1-7-1
1920-29: 5-5
1930-39: 4-3
1940-49: 4-5
1950-53: 1-1
DOUBLE-HEADERS ON THIS DAY
TRANSACTIONS
1953 - Browns signed long time Cardinals LHP Max Lanier as a free agent. Lanier had a legendary career with the Cardinals, where he was a 2-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion. He would record 101 wins and a 2.84 ERA for the Redbirds over his 12 seasons. The Browns acquired Lanier late in his career, after being released by the New York Giants on May 15, 1953. He would only appear in ten games, and after his ERA reached 7.25 the Browns would release him on July 10, 1953
DEBUTS
1915 - Browns catcher Muddy Ruel, would debut as a pinch hitter for RHP Parson Perryman, in the Browns 3-3 tie with the Tigers. He would earn a walk in his first at bat, and Ernie Walker would serve as his pinch runner.
BROWNS' BIRTHDAYS ON THIS DAY
1910 - 1B George McQuinn (1938-45)
The impact of the 1952 St. Louis Browns was more outside the ball park than on the baseball diamond. By the 1952 season, Browns owner Bill Veeck faced reality and knew that the team could no longer survive in St. Louis. Their National League cousins, the St. Louis Cardinals had been purchased by Anheuser Busch brewery and their place in t
The impact of the 1952 St. Louis Browns was more outside the ball park than on the baseball diamond. By the 1952 season, Browns owner Bill Veeck faced reality and knew that the team could no longer survive in St. Louis. Their National League cousins, the St. Louis Cardinals had been purchased by Anheuser Busch brewery and their place in the Gateway City was solid. Bill Veeck began looking for cities to move the franchise, and his first choice was Milwaukee. Milwaukee was the original home of the Browns organization, and a city where Veeck had at one time owned the Brewers. The Boston Braves were also looking for a new home, and in a faster move relocated to Beer city in Wisconsin. A devestated Veeck then looked to Baltimore, a city that had ties to the Browns as one of their minor league cities. This was the beginning of the end for the Browns in St. Louis.
On the field, Veeck had hired Rogers Hornsby as the Browns manager. Hornsby had been the Browns manager from 1933-37, and the newer version of "Rajah" was no better. He led the team to a 22-28 record over the first 50 games, before being fired. Marty Marion took over the club, with little change in the team's production. The offense was quiet throughout most of the season.
The biggest draw for the 1952 St. Louis Browns came in with Satchel Paige. The 45-year old right handed pitcher had already reached legendary status, and was the backbone to the entire Browns pitching staff. He led the team in wins and saves, and was the only Browns representative in the 1952 All Star Game.
The Browns would only have one more season in St. Louis, and everyone was looking forward to the last hurrah.