St. Louis Browns catcher, Lou Criger, was born on February 3 1872, in Elkhart, Indiana. He would play 18 seasons in professional baseball between the major and minor leagues. He would tally 3759 plate appearances in 1054 total games, but only a few came with the St. Louis Browns. He would actually suit up for the three St. Louis teams wit
St. Louis Browns catcher, Lou Criger, was born on February 3 1872, in Elkhart, Indiana. He would play 18 seasons in professional baseball between the major and minor leagues. He would tally 3759 plate appearances in 1054 total games, but only a few came with the St. Louis Browns. He would actually suit up for the three St. Louis teams with Perfectos, Cardinals, and Browns.
Lou Criger began his baseball career with his hometown Elkhart Truths, first as a pitcher then moving behind the plate. After five seasons (1890-94), Criger was signed in 1895 by the Kalamazoo Celery Eaters of the Michigan State League. He would go on to play for the Fort Wayne Farmers before finishing the 1896 seasons with the Cleveland Spiders. In three seasons with the Spiders, he would appear in just 125 games and reaching a batting average of .258.
The Cleveland Spiders and the St. Louis Perfectos were owned by the same management group, and Lou Criger was optioned from Cleveland to St. Louis on March 29, 1899. The Perfectos would change their name to the Cardinals in 1900, and Criger would remain the primary catcher. Prior to the 1901 season, he would jump to the Boston Americans of the newly formed American League. He would play eight seasons with the Americans (later known as the Red Sox) where he struggled at the plate (.208 BA) but excelled in the field (.975 fielding percentage).
The Browns acquired Lou Criger on December 10, 1908, when they sent catcher Tubby Spencer and $5,000 to Boston. With the Browns he would see the most action (74 games) as he platooned at catcher with Jim Stepehens (79 games), Wib Smith (17 games), and Bill Killefer (11 games). His .986 fielding percentage was the best of his career, but his offense continued to struggle (.170 BA). He would record 36 hits, just one double and triple, and fail to hit a home run. He did score 15 runs and drive in another nine, but those numbers do not reflect a strong starting catcher. His best performance came in the second game of a double header against the New York Highlanders on August 3, going 3-for-4 with a run scored.
The Browns would trade Lou Criger to the Highlanders on December 16, 1906 for OF Ray Demmitt and catcher Joe Lake. He would play one season in New York (1910), and split the 1911 season between the Milwaukee Brewers and Boyne City Boosters.
Lou Criger would join Bobby Wallace's staff as the pitching coach of the Browns in 1912. Although he was a member of the coaching staff, Criger would see action on June 3, 1912. He would go 0-for-2 with a run scored, reaching base twice on a walk and an error.
Lou Criger would retire from baseball and suffer from tuberculosis. He would move his family to the dry desert of Tucson, Arizona, where he opened a family bakery. He would be inducted into the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame, and the Northern Indiana SABR chapter carries Lou Criger's name.
Today's Browns Quote
“Criger is the man who can turn back the fleetest base runner, a man who can nip the boys at first and third unless they are ever on the alert. Criger is the backstop that never drops a ball that he can reach, and who can throw harder and quicker to second than any catcher in the profession. … I would like to see some
Today's Browns Quote
“Criger is the man who can turn back the fleetest base runner, a man who can nip the boys at first and third unless they are ever on the alert. Criger is the backstop that never drops a ball that he can reach, and who can throw harder and quicker to second than any catcher in the profession. … I would like to see some one pick out the equal of Criger.” ~ Tim Murnane, Boston writer and former player
BROWNS' BIRTHDAYS ON THIS DAY
1918 - RHP Sid Schacht (1950-51)
1922 - LF/3B Jim Dyck (1951-53)
1872 - Catcher Lou Criger (1909, 12)
St. Louis Browns Final Three
In 2025, the final three players remaining from the St. Louis Browns legacy passed. Each of these individuals have been highlighted within this website on their days of birth. These men where all legend in their own way, and every Browns fan needs to remember what these men brought to the Browns uniform. This website was created to honor all former "Brownies", but losing these last three in the past year, it seems appropriate to honor them today.
Frank Saucier played in 18 games for the 1951 Browns team. After a promising minor league career, Saucier is best known for being the player who Eddie Gaedel replaced for his historic, one-time at bat. Ed Mickelson was a former Browns first baseman in 1953 and published author. He has the distinct honor of having the last hit and RBI in the history of the Browns. Billy Hunter was a rookie for the Browns in 1953, which was also his only All-Star selection. He would go on to play six MLB seasons, and have a long coaching career through several levels of organized baseball. He would serve as the manager of the Texas Rangers in 1977 and 1978. Time may win in every baseball lineup, but as long as we share a roster with these men they should be honored and remembered.
The manager for the 1943 Browns team was Luke Sewell. He was entering his third year as manager and after the marks set by the 1942 team, there was a lot of excitement with the team.
Originally, Sewell did not want the job as manager of the Browns. Sewell demanded that he have absolute control over the team. He wanted the ability to make t
The manager for the 1943 Browns team was Luke Sewell. He was entering his third year as manager and after the marks set by the 1942 team, there was a lot of excitement with the team.
Originally, Sewell did not want the job as manager of the Browns. Sewell demanded that he have absolute control over the team. He wanted the ability to make trades and be able to move players up and down to the minors. The owner of the team, Don Barnes, gave him that authority. So when his time as manager began in 1941, Sewell made decisions that benefitted the team and the Browns found success. But in 1943 the team suffered the lost of key players to the war effort and they finished 10 games below 1942's record.
Sewell continued to work with his players. He worked with his young shortstop and helped make Vern Stephens one of the best hitting Shortstops in the American League. He picked up players like Don Gutteridge and Nels Potter. He also began to watch what his players did after the games.
Many of the players enjoyed the night life, and he wanted to limit the number of nights the team explored. So he began to pair up the more experienced "night lifers" with those who didn't like to explore as much. This buddy system began to curtail the number of "hazzy" players that showed up after nights on the town.