"A life as a journeyman pitcher, minor league manager, and baseball scout was entirely a matter of choice for Pete Appleton. And the game was surely made better because of the path chosen by this honorable and dedicated professional" ~ Bill Lamb, SABR writer
St. Louis Browns RHP Pete Appleton, was born May 20, 1904 in Terryville, Connecti
"A life as a journeyman pitcher, minor league manager, and baseball scout was entirely a matter of choice for Pete Appleton. And the game was surely made better because of the path chosen by this honorable and dedicated professional" ~ Bill Lamb, SABR writer
St. Louis Browns RHP Pete Appleton, was born May 20, 1904 in Terryville, Connecticut. Whether you called him by his birth name, Peter William Jablonowski, or by his nickname "Jake", you could see that he would put together an amazing baseball career. After leading the University of Michigan to the Big 10 Championship in 1926, he would then embark on a professional baseball career that would last 47 years.
Aplleton's playing career would extend over 24 seasons, including ten minor league stops across the country. His MLB career would take him to the Washington Nationals (1936-39, 45), Cleveland Indians (1930-32), Chicago White Sox (1940-42), Cincinnati Reds (1927-28) Boston Red Sox (1932) and New York Yankees (1933).
His time with the St Louis Browns began when he was signed as a free agent on July 10, 1942. He would only appear in 27.1 innings over 14 games for the Browns that season. He would register a 2.96 ERA with 12 strikeouts, while giving up 25 hits and 11 walks.
At the youthful age of 38 years old, Appleton would enlist in the US Navy during World War II and be commissioned to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where he would play on the Navy Preflight team. On July 3, 1945, Lieutenant JG Peter W. Appleton was honorably discharged from the Navy, and the 41-year old pitcher returned to the Browns. He would only appear in 2.1 innings over two games with the Browns, before he was released on August 28, 1945.
His final numbers with the Browns included closing out 13 of the 16 games he appeared in, with two recorded saves. He struck out 13 batters and allowed 13 earned runs. His 3.9 strikeouts per nine innings, and 0.3 home runs per nine innings were his career best.
After the 1945 season, Appleton would spend the next six seasons playing in the minors, before finally retiring with the Erie Sailors in 1951. He would then begin the second chapter of his baseball career as a coach, scout, and minor league manager. From 1954 through 1973, Appleton would work within the Washington Senator/Minnesota Twins organization building the next two generations of players.
HEADLINE
"BABE RUTH HITS HIS FIRST CAREER GRAND SLAM AGAINST THE BROWNS"
~ May 20, 1919, off Browns RHP Dave Davenport
FEATURED GAMES
1917 - After trailing early, the Browns would score in back-to-back innings to defeat the Washington Nationals, 4-3. The Nationals scored two runs in the second inning off Browns starter Bob Groom. The Browns o
HEADLINE
"BABE RUTH HITS HIS FIRST CAREER GRAND SLAM AGAINST THE BROWNS"
~ May 20, 1919, off Browns RHP Dave Davenport
FEATURED GAMES
1917 - After trailing early, the Browns would score in back-to-back innings to defeat the Washington Nationals, 4-3. The Nationals scored two runs in the second inning off Browns starter Bob Groom. The Browns offense came alive in the fourth inning, when singles by C Hank Severeid and 2B Ernie Johnson scored Rf Baby Doll Jacobson and Severeid. In the fifth inning, 1B George Sisler would rip a triple that would score 3B Jimmy Austin, and Hank Severeid would return with another single that drove in Baby Doll Jacobson. At the conclusion of the game, Hank Severeid had gone 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIS, and George Sisler had gone 2-for-3 with a triple, run, RBI, and a stolen base. Starting pitcher Bob Groom would pitch a complete game, mixing up six hits and six strikeouts, while allowing only three runs.
BROWNS' ALL-TIME RECORD ON THIS DAY
23 WINS, 22 LOSSES, One tie
WINS BY DECADE
1902-09: 5-1
1910-19: 7-1
1920-29: 3-5
1930-39: 6-4
1940-49: 5-4
1950-53: 1-3
DOUBLE-HEADERS:
Sweep in 1945
(Outscored NYY 15-3 in twin bill)
TRANSACTIONS
1943 - Browns released catcher Luke Sewell from his player responsibilities. Sewell had taken over for manager Fred Haney half way through the 1941 season. He did not register an at bat until the 1943 season. He would appear in six games in 1943, registering only one run and one walk, with a batting average of .083.
DEBUTS
NO DEBUTS MADE ON THIS DAY
BROWNS' BIRTHDAYS ON THIS DAY
1904 - RHP Pete Appleton (1942, 45)
The offensive statistics of the 1947 St. Louis Browns were not as strong as some of the teams in Browns past. Most of the power they enjoyed earlier in the decade had either moved on or fell into a deep slump. Outfielder Jeff Heath was one of the few bright spots, leading the team in five primary categories. Bob Dillenger would lead the
The offensive statistics of the 1947 St. Louis Browns were not as strong as some of the teams in Browns past. Most of the power they enjoyed earlier in the decade had either moved on or fell into a deep slump. Outfielder Jeff Heath was one of the few bright spots, leading the team in five primary categories. Bob Dillenger would lead the American League in stolen bases with 34. His .294 batting average would lead the Browns team. There rest of the team and individual numbers fell short of the league averages in most categories.
Batting Leaders
with A.L. rankings in (#)
Team Statistics:
Player Statistics