St Louis Browns RHP Dick Starr as born on March 2, 1921 in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. The right-handed pitcher would build a five year career in the American League with the New York Yankees and Browns. The Yankees discovered him while playing in local semi-pro leagues in Pennsylvania.
New York signed Starr to an amateur free agent contrac
St Louis Browns RHP Dick Starr as born on March 2, 1921 in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. The right-handed pitcher would build a five year career in the American League with the New York Yankees and Browns. The Yankees discovered him while playing in local semi-pro leagues in Pennsylvania.
New York signed Starr to an amateur free agent contract prior to the 1941 season, which he would compile a 15-9 record. Starr would break away from baseball to enlist in the US Army during World War II (1943-45), where he would earn three Bronze Stars and achieve the rank of Sergeant.
When he returned to the Yankees, he spent most of the next three years in the minors. On December 13, 1948, Dick Starr was traded to the Browns along with Sherm Lollar, Red Embree, and $100,000 from the Yankees, in return for Roy Partee and Fred Sanford. From 1949-51, he would become a key member of the Browns pitching staff. He was extremely versatile as he would start 33 games in that time, and come out of the bull pen in 44 games. Of those 33 games stared, Dick Starr would record five complete games and two shutouts. His overall numbers for the Browns would include 269 innings pitched, 100 strikeouts, 164 walks, and a 5.35 ERA.
On October 2, 1949, he was part of history when the Browns used nine different pitchers in a nine inning game, which was the most by an MLB team to that point. He did lead the American League in giving up 22 home runs in 1951, but considering he faced 561 batters that season the numbers could be worse.
On July 30, 1951, Dick Starr was traded to the Washington Senators for Fred Sanford. He would spend the next five seasons in the minors pitching for the Baltimore Orioles and Richmond Virginians.
Where his MLB numbers may not show his talent, he compiled a 108-72 record while playing in the minors. Dick Starr played a key role in the final stretch of the Browns history in St. Louis. He was another individual who was given a chance to live his dream in MLB.
Today's Browns Quote
"Avoid fried meats which angry up the blood. If your stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cool thoughts. Keep the juices flowing by jangling around gently as you move. Go very light on the vices, such as carrying on in society. The social ramble ain't restful. Avoid running at all times. Don't look back. S
Today's Browns Quote
"Avoid fried meats which angry up the blood. If your stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cool thoughts. Keep the juices flowing by jangling around gently as you move. Go very light on the vices, such as carrying on in society. The social ramble ain't restful. Avoid running at all times. Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you."
~ Satchel Paige, Browns pitcher, member of the 1951 team
TRANSACTION
1944 - Browns traded future Hall of Fame catcher Rick Ferrell to the Washington Senators for pitcher Gene Moore. This transaction almost did not happen, because the original trade involved Senators catcher, Tony Giuliani. Giulani, who spent 1936-37 in St. Louis, refused to report to the Browns camp. He was nursing a nagging back injury which he wanted to continue to treat at home. The Browns protested to Commissioner Kennesaw Mountain Landis, and after three weeks the Senators would send outfielder Gene Moore to complete the trade. This would be the fourth time that Rick Ferrell was involved in a transaction with the Browns. He was signed as a free agent in 1928, traded to Boston in 1933, traded back to St. Louis in 1941, and then traded back to Washington in 1944. At the end of his career, Ferrell would be known as one of the best catchers of his era. He would inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984. Gene Moore would play his final two seasons in St. Louis (1944-45). He would be the Browns starting right fielder while hitting a solid .249 BA with 11 home runs and 108 RBIs.
The 1951 St. Louis Browns was a team in transition. The successes were difficult to see at first. The team record would drop to 52-102. This team did not have many offensive sluggers that drove in hundreds of runs. They did not have many speedsters who would control the base paths. Their pitching staff was not full of flame throwers or co
The 1951 St. Louis Browns was a team in transition. The successes were difficult to see at first. The team record would drop to 52-102. This team did not have many offensive sluggers that drove in hundreds of runs. They did not have many speedsters who would control the base paths. Their pitching staff was not full of flame throwers or commanding pitchers.
But this team had Ned Garver. Ned Garver would be the first pitcher to win 20 games for a team that lost 100 games in the same season. He won 38% of all the Browns games that season. He would gather 47% of the MVP voting in that year, but finish second to Yogi Berra of the New York Yankees. There are plenty of theories that try to explain how he lost that award, which will be addressed in future posts.
This would also be the first year that the Browns would have a future Hall of Famer, Satchel Paige, in the bullpen. He would make his presence known by leading the team in saves for the first time in 1951. He would continue this leadership for the next three years. Plus this team would become one of the last beloved teams in St. Louis.