St. Louis Browns right-handed pitcher, Tommy Fine, was born on October 10, 1914 in Cleburne, Texas. He would spend 15 seasons in professional baseball, spending time with 13 different teams including four seasons in the Browns organization. He would pitch 14 of his 24 major league games with the Browns. Fine pitched at Baylor University (
St. Louis Browns right-handed pitcher, Tommy Fine, was born on October 10, 1914 in Cleburne, Texas. He would spend 15 seasons in professional baseball, spending time with 13 different teams including four seasons in the Browns organization. He would pitch 14 of his 24 major league games with the Browns. Fine pitched at Baylor University (1937-39) and in several semipro leagues across Texas before signing his first contract.
Tommy Fine joined the Boston Red Sox organization in 1939 when he was assigned to the Rocky Mount Red Sox. He progressedthrough the Sox organization playng for Oneonta Indians (1940-42), Greensboro Red Sox (1941), Scranton Red Sox (1946) and Toronto Maple Leafs (1947). He would make his MLB debut in 1941 with the Boston Red Sox, but only played in that one game.
He took three years off of during World War II (1943-45) where he became a Sergeant in the US Army as a Radio Technician. He remained stateside but played service baseball throughout his enlistment. After returning from the service, Fine would play nine games with the Boston Red Sox in 1947, before returning to the minor leagues.
Tommy Fine signed a free agent contract with the Browns prior to the 1949 season. He would spend most of his time with the San Antonio Missions (1949, 51-52), but also pitched with the Baltimore Orioles (1950). Fine would open the 1950 season with the Browns but would only spend 14 games with the American League team. He had a rough time trying to find his groove in the big leagues. He would give up 36 earned runs on 53 hits in 36.2 innings. He scattered 25 walks while only striking out six batters. His 8.10 ERA did not earned him a return to the Browns staff.
Fine would finish his career with the Memphis Chickasaws (1952-53), Richmond Virginians (1954-55), and Shreveport Sports (1956).
Tommy Fine retired from baseball and returned to Texas to build a career and raise his family. He became a respected Businessman, owned and operated a garage, and became a deacon in his community.
TRANSACTIONS
1951 - The Browns traded UTIL Jack Mcguire, RHP Fred Sanford, and cash to the Portland Beavers (Pacific Coast League) for 3B Leo Thomas. Maguire had played in the last half of the 1951 season since being acquired from Pittsburgh. He appeared in 41 games and batted .244. Sanford had been with the Browns for four seasons (1943,
TRANSACTIONS
1951 - The Browns traded UTIL Jack Mcguire, RHP Fred Sanford, and cash to the Portland Beavers (Pacific Coast League) for 3B Leo Thomas. Maguire had played in the last half of the 1951 season since being acquired from Pittsburgh. He appeared in 41 games and batted .244. Sanford had been with the Browns for four seasons (1943, 46-48), with two years serving in World War II. He would have a 23-42 record, with a 4.42 ERA including 158 strikeouts. Thomas would only play the first half of the 1952 season before being traded to the Chicago White Sox. He batted .234 in just 41 games.
The 1939 St. Louis Browns won just 43 games in 1939. This was a season that came at end of a disappointing decade where the Browns averaged just 60 wins per season. This team finished 23 games below the 1938 team (65-97).
The offense would lose players that opened holes in their lineup (RF Beau Bell, SS Red Kress, CF Mel Almada) from the
The 1939 St. Louis Browns won just 43 games in 1939. This was a season that came at end of a disappointing decade where the Browns averaged just 60 wins per season. This team finished 23 games below the 1938 team (65-97).
The offense would lose players that opened holes in their lineup (RF Beau Bell, SS Red Kress, CF Mel Almada) from the previous season. The primary leader of the team was Harlond Clift who was entering his seventh season at third base, while second-year 1B George McQuinn was becomming the best hitter on the squad.
The Browns pitching staff was not as successful as most teams would like to produce. They would use 22 pitchers across the course of the season, and would have the league high 6.01 ERA.
Browns manager, Fred Haney, was dealing with a team that had suffered through the difficult times of the Great Depression. The Browns were notorius for trading away players once they reached any value. The Browns used 45 player in the 1939 season. That was 18 players more than the New York Yankees (27) had to juggle on their way to winning the pennant.
SEASON LINEUP