St. Louis Browns OF Bruce Campbell was born on October 20, 1909, in Chicago, Illinois. The story of Bruce Campbell is more than a Major League Baseball player, for he defeated illness three time to become a decorated war hero. Out of high school he failed to receive any offers to play professional baseball, so he played on a semipro team
St. Louis Browns OF Bruce Campbell was born on October 20, 1909, in Chicago, Illinois. The story of Bruce Campbell is more than a Major League Baseball player, for he defeated illness three time to become a decorated war hero. Out of high school he failed to receive any offers to play professional baseball, so he played on a semipro team while working for Rand-McNally publishing. A local fan contacted the Chicago White Sox about Campbell, who brought him him for a tryout and signed him immediately.
Campbell quickly moved through their organization. In 1930, he started with the Indianapolis Indians, move to the Bloomington Cubs, and finished the season with the White Sox. He would spend the next three seasons between the White Sox and their minor league affiliates.
On April 27, 1932, the Browns would acquire Bruce Campbell and RHP Bump Hadley from Chicago for 2B Red Kress. Campbell's career would truly begin in St. Louis. He became a fixture in the outfield, play an average of 142 games a season. In his first season with the Browns, he was second on the team in home runs (14) and RBIs (85). The following year, 1933, he would lead the team in home runs (16) an RBIS (106). At 23-years old, he was the youngest team leader in those categories among American League teams. His best game as a Browns came on July 1, 1933, when he would go 3-for-4 with two triples and five Runs batted in, against the Philadelphia Athletics.
Campbell was so good, he played his way out of St. Louis. During the Great Depression, the Browns were often forced to make difficult decisions when it came to talented, young players. They would often have to trade their biggest talent in order to maintain the stability of the ball club. On November 11, 1934, The Browns traded Bruce Campbell to the Cleveland Indians for Johnny INF Burnett, LHP Bob Weiland, and cash.
Bruce Campbell would go on to play five seasons with the Cleveland Indians (1935-39), two seasons with the Detroit Tigers (1940-41), and a season with the Washington Nationals (1942). He would finish his career with 1382 hits in 1360 games, which included 106 home runs, 766 RBIs, and a batting average of .290.
During his playing career, Bruce Campbell had three attacks of Meningitis throughout the 1930s. This disease could easily have killed him, but he fought it away each time. When World War II broke out, Campbell was one of the first to enlist in the US Air Force after the 1942 season. Being ten years older than most of his fellow airmen, Campbell would serve as an engineer on board the B-24 Bomber which would often fly three missions a day over targets in Europe. With his past history of meningitis, Campbell simply refused to tell the draft board so that he could serve in the war effort.
After he returned from war in 1946, Campbell would split time between the Buffalo Bison (33 games - .271 BA), and the Dallas Steers (31 games - .268). The Washington Senators paid Campbell $6,000 in selected service back pay.
After baseball, Campbell settled in Ft. Myers Beach, Florida, where he worked as a carpenter. This life of annanonmity seemed to suit Campbell, for he rarely talked about baseball.
TOP 100 Browns Countdown
This website has the only Top 100 list of famous St Louis Browns players. Please feel free to free to visit the tab about for the complete list. Here is a brief portion of the list that recognizes some of the best players in the history of the St. Louis Browns.
Players #86-90
86) Elam VanGilder, P, 1919-27 - A
TOP 100 Browns Countdown
This website has the only Top 100 list of famous St Louis Browns players. Please feel free to free to visit the tab about for the complete list. Here is a brief portion of the list that recognizes some of the best players in the history of the St. Louis Browns.
Players #86-90
86) Elam VanGilder, P, 1919-27 - A solid "mainstay" on the Browns staff through most of the 1920s. Lead the A.L. in 1923 in Adjusted Pitching Wins (2.9), Adjusted Pitching Runs (28) and Walks (120). In 1921, he had a .344 Avg, 2 HRs, 11 RBIs, 10 2B, 2 3B, and 52 total bases
87) George Baumgardner, P, 1912-16 - Described as the "newest sensation" when he joined the Browns as well as being a "natural talent on the diamond". In 1914, was almost signed by Kansas City of the FBL, which led to court cases between the two leagues. For all his on field accolades, he was also known as the "High Nut' of baseball for his off field antics. Signed his name with an "X"
88) Joe Grace, OF, 1938-41, 1946 - Served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, His best season was in 1941 with a .309 avg, and 112 hits, His .410 OBP that season ranked him 6th in the A.L.
89) Bill Grahame, P, 1908-10 - Grahame played his entire career with the Browns, his first victory was vs the Tigers on 4/21/1908 when he entered the game in the 4th inning and earned the win. In 1909 he finished in the Top 10 with nine saves (1st), seven wild pitches (10th), and 11 games finished (6th)
90) Mike Chartak, OF, 1942-44 - "Shotgun", "Volga Batman", In 1942, he was in the A.L. Top 10 in Double Plays by OF (4), Assists as RF (12), and At Bats per HR (33.4), 1943 Sporting news stated " Chartak becomes one of the most valuable members of the St Louis Browns organization", His strikeout was the last out of the 1944 World Series.
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BROWNS BIRTHDAYS ON THIS DAY
1909 - OF Bruce Campbell (1932-34)
The manager of the 1909 St. Louis Browns, Jimmy McAleer, was entering his final season as leader of the Browns. In his eight years as Browns manager (1902-09), he accumulated a recorded of 551-632. Coming off a season where the Browns finished fourth in the American League, with a record of 83-69-3, many people across baseball were lookin
The manager of the 1909 St. Louis Browns, Jimmy McAleer, was entering his final season as leader of the Browns. In his eight years as Browns manager (1902-09), he accumulated a recorded of 551-632. Coming off a season where the Browns finished fourth in the American League, with a record of 83-69-3, many people across baseball were looking forward to the team challenging for the pennant.
The feelings were positive for the Browns' skipper as they entered the 1909 season. One of the obstacles the Browns had to continuously over come in their early history was a slow start to the season. This would plague the team for the entire period under McAleer.
In 1909, the team only won four games in the month of April, and started May in eighth place. Injures to LF George Stone, an unpopular trade of 1B Tom Jones, and a pitching staff that could not find any consistency would challenge McAleer's leadership all season.
After setting record attendance marks in 1908, the St. Louis fans lost faith in the Browns as they plummeted to seventh place finish in the league. Whether it was the players performance, or the tired leadership, James McAleer would leave the Browns after the 1909 season. season. He would go on to manage the Washington Nationals from 1910-11, with similar results.