St. Louis Browns right-handed pitcher, Willis Hudlin, was born on May 23, 1906 in Wagoner, Oklahoma. Along with Chuck Corgan (played with Brooklyn 1925, 27), they are the only two MLB players to come from Wagoner. Although he would play a handful of game with the Browns, his path to St. Louis is one of the more interesting in franchise h
St. Louis Browns right-handed pitcher, Willis Hudlin, was born on May 23, 1906 in Wagoner, Oklahoma. Along with Chuck Corgan (played with Brooklyn 1925, 27), they are the only two MLB players to come from Wagoner. Although he would play a handful of game with the Browns, his path to St. Louis is one of the more interesting in franchise history.
Willis Hudlin began his baseball career with the Waco Cubs In 1926. He would reach a 16-11 record with Waco in his first season, which would be rewarded with a late-season call up by the Cleveland Indians. He made his MLB debut against the St. Louis Browns on August 16, 1926. George Sisler, Ken Williams, and Wally Schang all had big games, and knocked Hudlin out of the game after just two innings. Willis Hudlin would became one of the most successful pitcher in the history of the Cleveland Indians. From 1926-40, "Ace" Hudlin would appear in 475 games with the "Tribe", rackin up a 157-151 record, 662 strikeouts, and an ERA of 4.32. He still ranks in the Top Ten of most pitching categories in Cleveland baseball history.
By 1940, Willis Hudlin began to suffer from arm issues that led to him wearing four uniforms that season. He would play for the Indians (four games), the Washington Nationals (nine games), the New York Giants (one games), before signing with the Browns on August 3, 1940. Hudlin would appear in six games for the Browns, five in relief, and produce three scoreless outings.
The Browns hoping to find some last magic in Hudlin, but the 15-year veteran gave all that he could. In 13.1 innings with St. Louis, he was only able to produce five strikeouts and a 10.30 ERA. He was released by the Browns on September 10, 1940.
Willis Hudlin would sign on with the Little Rock Travelers in 1941, and experience a resurgence in his production. He would win 41 games with the Travelers (1941-44) on the field, and even purchase a portion of the club.
FUN STORY - On August 31, 1944, "Owner" Willis Hudlin sold his "player" contract to the Browns in an attempted comeback. Former Cleveland teammate, Luke Sewell, was the manager and both believed Hudlin still had something left in his arm. Hudlin appeared in relief of Sig Jakucki on August 31, 1944, against the Detroit Tigers. He gave up three hits, two runs, and truck out one batter. He remained with the team through the 1944 World Series, in more of a mentor/coaching role than pitcher.
Hudlin returned to Little Rock as a player/manager from 1945-46, and later played with the Jackson Senators (1947-48). After retiring from playing baseball, Willis Hudlin would coach in the Cleveland Indians minor leagues (1955-56), before becoming the Indian's pitching coach (1957-59). He would later serve as a scout for the New York Yankees (1960-74).
Hudlin would settle down in Little Rock in his retirement, and in 2013 the ballpark in Wagoner was officially named "Willis Hudlin Field"
HEADLINE
"OSCAR MELILLO HITS FOR THE CYCLE AGAINST CLEVELAND"
FEATURED GAMES
1929 - Browns "giant" Oscar Melillo would hit for the "Cycle" for the first time in his career, in a 7-5 win over the Cleveland Indians. The 5'8", 150 pound second baseman would record the cycle in his first four at bats. He hit his double in the second inning, and
HEADLINE
"OSCAR MELILLO HITS FOR THE CYCLE AGAINST CLEVELAND"
FEATURED GAMES
1929 - Browns "giant" Oscar Melillo would hit for the "Cycle" for the first time in his career, in a 7-5 win over the Cleveland Indians. The 5'8", 150 pound second baseman would record the cycle in his first four at bats. He hit his double in the second inning, and his home run in the third inning. Both of these hits came off Indians starter, Wes Ferrell. Melillo would grab a single in the fourth inning, and his triple in the sixth inning. These hits came off Ken Holloway. For the game, Melillo would go 4-for-5, with ten total bases, three RBIs, scored two runs, and recorded eight assists in the field. The Browns would also get production from the entire lineup. CF Fred Schulte would go 3-for-5 with an RBI, and two runs. RF Frank McGowan and LF Heinie Manush would both go 2-for-5 with a run. 3B Frank O'Rourke would go 1-for-4 with two RBIs and a run. Melillo's cycle would be the fourth the Browns would hit in the 1920s (George Sisler (2) , Baby Doll Jacobson)
BROWNS' ALL-TIME RECORD ON THIS DAY
22 WINS, 24 LOSSES
(.478 winning percentage)
WINS BY DECADE
1902-09: 5-3
1910-19: 3-4
1920-29: 4-5
1930-39: 6-4
1940-49: 3-5
1950-53: 1-3
DOUBLE-HEADERS ON THIS DAY
SWEEP series in 1931 (DET)
Swept series in 1943, 1948 (PHA)
Split series in 1936 (CWS)
THERE WERE NO TRANSACTIONS ON THIS DAY
DEBUTS
1912 - Catcher Phil Ketter, St. Louis native, would go 0-for-2 after replacing Jim Stephens in the sixth inning, in a 9-3 loss to the Philadelphia Athletics.
BROWNS' BIRTHDAYS ON THIS DAY
1886 - SS/2B Clyde Wares (1913-14)
1918 - Catcher Frank Mancuso (1944-46)
1892 - 2B Luke Stuart (1921)
1906 - RHP Willis Hudlin (1940, 44)
1923 - 1B/PH Jerry McCarthy (1948)
The 1952 St. Louis Browns was the second year under the ownership of the legendary Bill Veeck. Veeck purchased the team from the DeWitt brothers prior to the 1951 season. He had a plan of making St. Louis a "Browns baseball town", as the Cardinals' management was in turmoil and rumors of the Redbirds leaving were all over.
Veeck would bri
The 1952 St. Louis Browns was the second year under the ownership of the legendary Bill Veeck. Veeck purchased the team from the DeWitt brothers prior to the 1951 season. He had a plan of making St. Louis a "Browns baseball town", as the Cardinals' management was in turmoil and rumors of the Redbirds leaving were all over.
Veeck would bring in Rogers Hornsby to manage the team, which was a dismal mistake. After 50 games, the Browns were 22-28 and facing a mutiny of players against their leader. Cardinals legend and Browns coach, Marty Marion, was promoted to calm the clubhouse and turn their Browns fortunes around. The players loved Marion, but the team would finish in 7th place with a 64-90 record.
In 1951, Veeck used promotions to get fans into the gates, like Grandstand Managers Night and the famous Eddie Gaedel show. In 1952, Veeck brought in better players. He signed the legendary Satchell Paige in 1951, and Paige showed he was still had more left by becoming one of the best relievers in the game. Bob Cain became the center of the Browns pitching staff, after Ned Garver was traded half way through the season. The Browns offense was centered around Bob Nieman, Clint Courtney, and Jim Dyck.
As the season progressed, Veeck began to realize that his investment in the Browns was slowly going south. Anheuser Busch purchased the Cardinals and solidified them in St. Louis, and Veeck's plan on dominating St. Louis was over. This started the year-long quest to move the team out of St. Louis. The first city that Veeck targeted was Milwaukee, but the American League would make sure that did not happen. Baltimore was the next target, and everyone knows how that story ended.
The team of 1952 was full of players that still went out every day and gave their bestl to bring victories to St. Louis.