St. Louis Browns right-handed pitcher, Hollis Thurston, was born on June 2, 1899, in Fremont, Nebraska. He would build a 19-season professional baseball career that would include nine seasons in the major leagues, and ten seasons in the minor leagues. He would appear in 579 career games, earning 195 wins and 374 recorded strikeouts. With
St. Louis Browns right-handed pitcher, Hollis Thurston, was born on June 2, 1899, in Fremont, Nebraska. He would build a 19-season professional baseball career that would include nine seasons in the major leagues, and ten seasons in the minor leagues. He would appear in 579 career games, earning 195 wins and 374 recorded strikeouts. With all these statistics, Hollis Thurston would spend just four innings as a St. Louis Brown.
Hollis Thurston would attend John H. Francis High School in Sun Valley, California. This would be the same school as Browns future manager, Fred Haney. After pitching three seasons with the Salt Lake City Bees (1920-22), the Browns signed Thurston prior to the 1923 season.
He would make his MLB debut on April 19, 1923, as he replaced Hub Pruett in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers. He would pitch two innings, giving up one run on two hits. Thurston would make his second appearance for the Browns on April 23, as he started against the Chicago White Sox. He would last just two innings, giving up six hits, two walks, that led to three runs.
During a four games series against the Tigers in Detroit (April 26-29, 1923), Browns manager Lee Fohl assigned Thurston to throw batting practice. Thurston refused the assignment, and Fohl was forced to suspend the pitcher. On May 12, his contract would be purchased by the Chicago White Sox, and his time in St. Louis would be over.
Hollis Thurston would go on to play for the White Sox (1923-26), Washington Nationals (1927), and the Brooklyn Dodges (1930-33). He would pitch throughout the Pacific Coast League towards the end of his career with the San Francisco Seals (1928-29), Mission Reds (1934-36), Seattle Indians (1937), and Oakland Oaks (1938).
After his playing days, Thurston would manage the Tacoma Tigers to the Western International League Championship in 1937. He would then scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1939-45), Cleveland Indians (1948-50), and Chicago White Sox (1951-67).
Hollis Thurston would have the colorful nickname of "Sloppy", because he was always aware of his clean appearance.
HEADLINE
"MELILLO BELTS HOMER TO WALK OFF CLEVELAND"
FEATURED GAMES
1934 - In the second walk-off win of the season, Browns score three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Cleveland Indians, 3-2. The Browns were only able to collect three hits in the game as the ninth inning opened. Browns starting pitcher, Bobo Newsom would
HEADLINE
"MELILLO BELTS HOMER TO WALK OFF CLEVELAND"
FEATURED GAMES
1934 - In the second walk-off win of the season, Browns score three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Cleveland Indians, 3-2. The Browns were only able to collect three hits in the game as the ninth inning opened. Browns starting pitcher, Bobo Newsom would hold the Indians offense to just a run on seven hits. George Blaeholder would replace Newsom in the top of the ninth, giving up one run on two hits. In the bottom of the ninth, the Browns would get singles from 1B Jack Burns and LF Ray Pepper. After RF Deb Garms fouled out to Cleveland 3B Willie Kamm, 2B Oscare Melillo came to bat with two men on. Melillo would crush his first home run of the season to deep left field, driving in all three runs the Browns would need to claim victory. Later in the season, on June 30, Melillo would hit his second home run of the season. It would be another three-run home run vs the Detroit Tigers
BROWNS' ALL-TIME RECORD ON THIS DAY
20 WINS, 27 LOSSES
(.425 winning percentage)
WINS BY DECADE
1902-09: 4-2
1910-19: 4-5
1920-29: 4-5
1930-39: 2-6
1940-49: 3-7
1950-53: 3-2
DOUBLE-HEADERS ON THIS DAY
TRANSACTIONS
THERE WERE NO TANSACTIONS ON THIS DAY
DEBUTS
1928 - Larry Bettencourt makes his MLB debut magical as he starts at 3B and goes 3-4 with an RBI and a run scored, in the Browns 5-3 victory over the Senators
BROWNS' BIRTHDAYS ON THIS DAY
1876 - CF Charlie Jones (1908)
1899 - RHP Hollis Thurston (1923)
1866 - Mgr Jack O'Connor (1904, 06-07, 10)
The St. Louis Browns entered the 1946 season with an experienced manager that led them to their only American League Championship. Luke Sewell had been the Browns leader since midway through the 1941 season. He had accumulated a 379-339 record in his first five years as manager. After winning the American League pennant in 1944, the follo
The St. Louis Browns entered the 1946 season with an experienced manager that led them to their only American League Championship. Luke Sewell had been the Browns leader since midway through the 1941 season. He had accumulated a 379-339 record in his first five years as manager. After winning the American League pennant in 1944, the following season saw the team win only 81 games and finish in third place.
Some fans were unfairly barking for a replacement as many believed Sewell had lost the control of the team. Team owner Richard Muckerman had publicly praised Sewell for his job as the season opened. However, as the Browns stared the season slow (17-23 in April, May), then had a miserable July and August (22-36), Sewell's days leading the team were numbered.
He would resign on August 29 with a record of 53-72. The Browns would promote coach Zack Taylor to replace Sewell for the rest of the season. Taylor had been coaching throughout the minors and managed with the Browns minor league San Antonio Missions and Toledo Mud Hens. Taylor would finish the 1946 season, with a 13-17 record. The Browns would finish with a disappointing 66-88 record. Muckerman decided to pass up Taylor, and bring in Muddy Ruel to manage the team for the 1947 season. Zack Taylor would return to Browns manager position in 1948.