St. Louis Browns utility infielder, Norm McMillan, was born on October 5, 1895 in Latta, South Carolina. He would be the only player from Latta, until Leroy Stanton made his MLB debut in 1970. Known by his nickname of "Bub", McMillan would enjoy a 14-year baseball career that took him through four Major League organizations and six minor
St. Louis Browns utility infielder, Norm McMillan, was born on October 5, 1895 in Latta, South Carolina. He would be the only player from Latta, until Leroy Stanton made his MLB debut in 1970. Known by his nickname of "Bub", McMillan would enjoy a 14-year baseball career that took him through four Major League organizations and six minor league teams. Norm McMillan is "credited" with hitting the shortest home run in the history of baseball.
Norm McMillan was a standout baseball player at Latta High School, who later went on to play at Clemson University (1915-17) where he studied veterinary sciences. He would be called into service during World War I and spent over a year on the USS Mississippi in the US Navy. Upon returning from service he finished his studies and began his professional baseball career.
McMillan signed with the Greenville Spinners (1919-20) of the South Atlantic League, before playing for the Rochester Colts in 1921. He began the 1922 season with the New York Yankees, where he was an early season substitute for the suspended Babe Ruth. He would be traded to the Boston Red Sox in 1923, where he saw action in 131 games while playing three different infield positions. The Browns and BoSox swapped utility infielders on April 14, 1924, when St. Louis sent INF Homer Ezzell to Boston for McMillan.
"Bub" would go on to play 72 games with the Browns in 1924. He appeared in 36 games at second base, 20 games at third base, seven games at shortstop, two games at first base, and 14 pinch hitter appearances. He tallied 13 multi-hit games, and two three-hit games. His best game came during the second game of a double header against the Detroit Tigers on July 4. While starting at second base, McMillan went 3-for-5 with a triple and two RBIs. His final stats for the 1924 season included 56 hits, 12 doubles, two triples, 27 RBIs, nine sacrifice hits, and .279 batting average.
Even though he had proved to be an asset to the team, the Browns moved McMillan to the St. Paul Saints as part of a five player deal. The Browns sent McMillan, catcher Pat Collins, RHP Ray Kolp, the rights to UTIL Cedric Durst, and cash to St. Paul for catcher Leo Dixon. After three seasons in St. Paul (1925-27), McMillan returned to the majors with the Chicago Cubs (1928-29) before finishing his career in the minors. He played with the Kansas City Blues (1930-31), Chattanooga Lookouts (1931), and the Reding Keystones (1932).
After his playing days were over, Norm "Bub" McMillan returned to South Carolina were he worked as a pharmacist, and owning several drug stores across the state. He stayed active in baseball sponsoring several American Legion teams, with one winning the state tournament.
GREAT MLB TRIVIA - Norm McMillan hit a home run that only traveled 100 feet. August 26, 1929, Wrigley Field - With the bases loaded, McMillan hits a blop fly over third base that traveled into the bull pen of the visiting Cincinnati Reds. As the Cubs' runners are circling the bases the ball rolled into the sleeve of a discarded jacket, and the Reds' fielders could not find and remove the ball. By the time the Reds could find the ball, McMillan had scored and given credit for a home run.
The 1944 World Series, nicknamed 'The Streetcar Series", was possibly the most unpredictable championship series in the history of baseball.
October 5, 1944 - GAME 2 After a stunning victory of the Browns over the Cardinals in game one, the second game was another match up between two of the best pitchers on both squads. The Browns had 19
The 1944 World Series, nicknamed 'The Streetcar Series", was possibly the most unpredictable championship series in the history of baseball.
October 5, 1944 - GAME 2 After a stunning victory of the Browns over the Cardinals in game one, the second game was another match up between two of the best pitchers on both squads. The Browns had 19-game winner RHP Nels Potter set to battle the Cardinals' 17-game winner LHP Max Lanier. Both pitchers would give up just two runs as the game stretched into extra innings. The Cardinals scored early in the third and fourth innings. In the third inning, 2B Emil Verban singles, and later reached third base on a throwing error by Browns 1B Georeg McQuinn. LF Augie Bergamo would hit into a fielder choice, scoring Verban. In the fourth inning, the Cardinals would load the bases with a walk, a single, and an error by 3B Mark Christman. Verban would drive a sacrifice fly deep to left field, scoring 1B Ray Sanders from third. The Browns would tie the game with two runs in the top of the seventh inning. RF Gene Moore would single, followed by catcher Red Hayworth's double that brought in Moore. The next batter, PH Frank Mancuso would drive in Mancuso with an RBI single. The bull pens would take over after the seventh inning, as the teams remained tied at 2-2 going into the 11th inning. In his fifth inning of action, Browns RHP Bob Muncrief gave up a leadoff single to Ray Sanders who ws moved to second base on a Whtey Kurowski bunt. MVP Marty Marion was intentionally walked. Batting for Verban, PH Ken O'Dea would single to right field and Sanders would out run the throw to the plate. The Cardinals' 11-inning victory would even the series at one game a piece, with both teams looking to take momentum back in Game three.
BROWNS - 1, CARDINALS - 1
The 1944 American League Champion, St. Louis Browns, dominiated the league in a way that no one could have predicted. This team of military castoffs, older veterans, and family men were never supposed to be good enough to finish higher than fourth in the league. This team changed every way the baseball world looked at the Browns' franachi
The 1944 American League Champion, St. Louis Browns, dominiated the league in a way that no one could have predicted. This team of military castoffs, older veterans, and family men were never supposed to be good enough to finish higher than fourth in the league. This team changed every way the baseball world looked at the Browns' franachise. A team of unde achievers suddenly became the champions. They did it an amazing manner. They would have a winning record against every other American League team. They would have a winning recod in five of the seven months of the season. They would outscore their opponents in six of the seven months. They were 21 games above .500 at Sportsman's Park. The team statistics from this team show that this was no fluke of a team.
SEASON BREAKDOWN