St. Louis Browns CF Danny Hoffman was born on March 2, 1880 in Canton, Connecticut. In the short life of Danny Hoffman, many baseball writers of the era described him as one of the best center fielders in the game. Hoffman's career would span 16 seasons, including nine MLB seasons, nine in the minors, and a season in Cuba.
Danny Hoffman w
St. Louis Browns CF Danny Hoffman was born on March 2, 1880 in Canton, Connecticut. In the short life of Danny Hoffman, many baseball writers of the era described him as one of the best center fielders in the game. Hoffman's career would span 16 seasons, including nine MLB seasons, nine in the minors, and a season in Cuba.
Danny Hoffman was discovered while playing for the Union Hardware company baseball team, and spent his first professional season with the Waterbury Rough Riders in 1901. After time with the Springfield Ponies (1902), Hoffman would make his MLB debut with the Philadelphia Athletics on April 20, 1903. He would spend most of the next four seasons with the Athletics (1903-06).
This career was in sudden jeopardy on July 1, 1904, after he was hit in the temple by a wild fastball from Jesse Tannehill of the Boston Red Sox. The hit came after Hoffman had collected three singles in previous at bats, and he would always believe that Tannehill intended to hit him.
After a few years in New York (1906-07), the Highlanders traded Hoffman to the Browns in a six payer deal on November 5, 1907. The Browns would send RHP Fred Glade, OF Charlie Hemphill, and UTIL Harry Niles to the Highlanders for Hoffman, 2B/3B Hobie Ferris, and 2B/3B Jimmy Williams. From 1908 through 1911, Danny Hoffman would be the primary center fielder for the Browns. His best year came in 1909 when he led team with 41 walks and 24 stolen bases, while hitting .269 with a 123 OPS+. He would also lead the team with a 2.5 WAR. That season he would join a group of players and travel to Cuba to participate in the Cuban American Major League Club Series.
After only 24 games in the 1911 season, the Browns released Danny Hoffman. He was quickly picked up by the Indianapolis Indians. He would later with the Wilkes-Barre Barons of the New York State League.
Danny Hoffman would retire from the game and settle down in Hartford, Connecticut. He would begina career with the Colt Armory gun factory. Unfortunately, he contact tuberculosis and succumb to the disease just after his 42nd birthday. It has been recorded that following his death, his legendary Athletics manager Connie Mack called Hoffman a "World Beater" for his play on the field.
Today's Browns Quote
“His catch of (Ike) Rockenfields drive in the tenth was one of those seemingly impossible plays that is seldom witnessed on a ball field. The ball was speeding straight for the club house. Danny had to chase after the sphere and managed to pick it from the clouds, facing away from the pitcher. Whirling as he ran, he [a
Today's Browns Quote
“His catch of (Ike) Rockenfields drive in the tenth was one of those seemingly impossible plays that is seldom witnessed on a ball field. The ball was speeding straight for the club house. Danny had to chase after the sphere and managed to pick it from the clouds, facing away from the pitcher. Whirling as he ran, he [almost] nailed George Stone at second. George had started to go to third, but reconsidered and slid back to the bag just in time to save himself.”
~ Philadelphia Inquirer, August 19, 1905, Description of Danny Hoffman's play in centerfield
BROWNS' BIRTHDAYS ON THIS DAY
1921 - RHP Dick Starr (1949-51)
1880 - CF Danny Hoffman (1908-11)
1907 - RHP Jack Knott (1933-38)
DID YOU KNOW?
In today's modern baseball era, the role of "Starting Pitcher" has changed. Pitchers are dictated by pitch counts, velocity, and number days of rest. Pitching staffs that used to hold four starting pitchers, or even five, are starting to consider implementing a six-player starting rotation. With this confusing transition, the idea of a "Bull Pen" start has become a common occurrence by every MLB team.
The St. Louis Browns introduced the first "Bull Pen" start in history. October 2, 1949 - Last game of the season. First game of a double header vs. the Chicago White Sox. The Browns used one pitcher per inning in a nine inning game. This set the MLB record for the number of pitchers used in one game.
The lineup of pitchers for this game was:
White Sox manager, Jack Onslow, protested the number of Browns pitchers throughout the game, but since there is no rule stating the maximum number of pitchers that can be used in a game, he could only voice his constant displeasure. The Browns staff allowed 13 hits, two walks, while striking out five White Sox. The Browns would lose the game 4-3, with the loss going to LHP Bill Kennedy. Kennedy would strikeout the side after giving up two hits and a walk, allowing three earned runs while facing just seven batters. Today's modern game states that a "Bull Pen" game must be started by a relief pitcher, but the concept was introduced by the St. Louis Browns in 1949.
The 1951 St. Louis Browns had a record of 52-102, finishing in 8th place in the American League. They would finish 46 games behind the pennant winning New York Yankees, and ten games behind the seventh place Washington Nationals.
To state that this was a rough season for the Browns, would be a misunderstanding. They fell into last place o
The 1951 St. Louis Browns had a record of 52-102, finishing in 8th place in the American League. They would finish 46 games behind the pennant winning New York Yankees, and ten games behind the seventh place Washington Nationals.
To state that this was a rough season for the Browns, would be a misunderstanding. They fell into last place on June 20 (which was only game #57), and would never gain ground in the standings. The was a result of just four wins in April, seven in May, and nine in June. By July 1, they had a record of 20-46. They would would only be able to win ten games against the Detroit Tigers (10-12). They lost 24 game by just one run, and 38 games by more than five runs. The best statistic would be they finished the season with a 6-4 record in their last ten games. This would hopefully build momentum for the 1952 season.
SEASON BREAKDOWN