St. Louis Browns infielder Johnny Lipon was born on November 10, 1922 in Martins Ferry, Ohio. His family moved from the town along the Ohio River to Detroit where he became a standout in the sandlots throughout the city. He would build an 18-year career through the minors and major leagues, before becoming a respected coach and manager fo
St. Louis Browns infielder Johnny Lipon was born on November 10, 1922 in Martins Ferry, Ohio. His family moved from the town along the Ohio River to Detroit where he became a standout in the sandlots throughout the city. He would build an 18-year career through the minors and major leagues, before becoming a respected coach and manager for over three decades.
Lipon signed his first contract with his hometown Tigers in 1941, and was assigned to the Muskegon Reds where he batted .359 in 119 games. He would go on split the nest season between the Beaumont Explorers and the Tigers. He made his MLB debut on August 16,1942 against the Chicago White Sox.
Like many professional ball players, Johnny Lipon enlisted in the US Navy during World War II. After training at the Great Lakes Naval Station, he would serve in the Pacific theater as a flight engineer in the Mariana islands. Between flying casualties from the Okinawa region, he would play for the Naval baseball team. Lipon returned to Detroit after his release, but would be a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization.
Johnny Lipon would play for the Tigers for six years (1946, 48-52), before being traded to the Boston Red Sox in 1952. The Browns would purchase Lipon's contract from the Red Sox on September 8, 1953. He would appear in seven games for the Browns in their last month in St. Louis. He would spell Jim Dyck at third base for six games, and Billy Hunter at second base on September 12. Lipon also appeared as a pinch runner in three games, but failed to score in this role.
He would record two hits with the Browns in his brief stint with the team. They came in the last week of their history. On September 22nd and 25th, he got a hit in both of his complete games with the club.
Lipon would eventually move with the team as they became the Baltimore Orioles in 1954. Over his final six seasons playing baseball, he would play for four minor league clubs, and a brief moment for the Cincinnati Reds (1954).
In 1959, Lipon would begin a second act in baseball as a well respected coach and manager throughout the minor leagues. For the next 34 years, Lipon would coach in the Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Detroit Tigers organizations. He would win a total of 2185 minor league games , which is the fourth most in history. Lipon would have one opportunity to manage in the Major Leagues in 1971, when he went 18-41 as he replaced Alvin Dark with the Indians.
Johnny Lipon was a baseball lifer who played, coached, and managed in all levels of baseball. After 52 years in the game, he may not have become a hall of famer, but he influenced dozens who actually made it Cooperstown.
TRANSACTION
1947 - The Browns acquired LHP Al Gerheauser from the Brooklyn Dodgers in the Rule 5 Draft. Gerheauser would appear in 14 games for the Browns in 1948. In 23.1 innings he would allow 10 walks and 10 strikeouts. His ERA was an unflattering 7.33, while going 0-3.
1948 - The Browns acquired two players in the Rule 5 Draft. Brow
TRANSACTION
1947 - The Browns acquired LHP Al Gerheauser from the Brooklyn Dodgers in the Rule 5 Draft. Gerheauser would appear in 14 games for the Browns in 1948. In 23.1 innings he would allow 10 walks and 10 strikeouts. His ERA was an unflattering 7.33, while going 0-3.
1948 - The Browns acquired two players in the Rule 5 Draft. Browns acquired RHP Bob Malloy from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Malloy would appear in just 9.2 innings over five games. He would have a 1-1 record, while dealing out seven walks and striking out two batters. Browns acquired LHP Irv Medlinger from the Boston Red Sox. Medlinger would remain in the Browns organization for five seasons, but would only appear in nine games between the 1949 and 1951 seasons. In that time he fail to record a win or a loss. He would tally a 13.83 ERA over 13.2 innings. He would give up 23 runs, on 21 hits and 15 walks.
BROWNS BIRTHDAYS ON THIS DAY
1892 - RHP Jim Park (1915-17)
1878 - RHP Cy Morgan (1903-05, 07)
1922 - INF Johnny Lipon (1953)
The Browns leader in 1942 was second year manager Luke Sewell. Sewell took over the team 44 games into the 1941 season, when the Browns let manager Fred Haney go after a 15-29 start to the season.
Sewell had worked as a coach with the Cleveland Indians prior to moving to St. Louis. He had basically done everything he could with the Indian
The Browns leader in 1942 was second year manager Luke Sewell. Sewell took over the team 44 games into the 1941 season, when the Browns let manager Fred Haney go after a 15-29 start to the season.
Sewell had worked as a coach with the Cleveland Indians prior to moving to St. Louis. He had basically done everything he could with the Indians, except take on the role of manager. Many of the Cleveland players wanted Sewell to take over for troubled Oscar Vitt who was having difficulties managing the team. Sewell's loyalty to Vitt prevented him from taking the position.
When the Browns opportunity became apparent, he was encouraged by Alva Bradley to consider the move to the Browns. Along with the reported enthusiasm by Browns General Manager, Bill DeWitt, Sewell decide to travel to St. Louis, interview, and late accept the managerial position. He made an instant impact to the team, going 55-55-1 for the rest of the season.
Going into the 1942 season, many of the players were beginning to buy into Sewell's methodology and coaching philosophy. It was said that he knew how to speak with the players, and get the most out of them. Sewell had a 20-year career, and was very familiar with the American League. He seemed to push all the right buttons to get the players to turn into a winning team. After winning 12 more games from the 1941 season, the impact of the new manager was easy to see. He turned the pitching staff in to one of the best in the American League. The Browns offense was not among the team leaders, but their timely hitting kept them in games. There were some conflicts with players, most notable was long time 3B Harland Clift, but those issues were solved with trades. Sewell had identified some players that he felt had gotten used to losing, so they were moved.
The result was an 82-69 record and a third place finish in his first season as manager of the Browns.