Special Sub-Topic: St Louis Browns Click Here To Play: St Louis Browns

Prior to beginning American league play in St Louis in 1902, the franchise that would become known as the Browns played a single season in which city in 1901?

Milwaukee. They were called the Milwaukee Brewers - no relation to the present National League club with that name. They finished in last place in the AL with a 48-89 record.

The Browns began play in St Louis in 1902 in which stadium?

Sportsman's Park. Sportsman's Park would be home to the Browns throughout their stay in St Louis, and they shared it with the Cardinals from 1920-1953. League Park, Robison Field, and Union Park, were all Stadiums used by the St. Louis Cardinals prior to 1920.

The Browns made a successful debut in St Louis, defeating which team in their opening game?

Cleveland Indians. The Browns won 5-3 on April 23rd, 1902, behind the pitching of Red Donohue.

The Browns inaugural season in St Louis was a relatively successful one, compared to what would follow in the next 20 years, finishing second in the AL behind the Athletics. What was their record for the 1902 season?

78-58. The Browns finished five games behind the Philadelphia Athletics, and would have to wait 20 years to finish as high as second in the American League again.

Who was manager of the Browns in their inaugural season in St Louis?

Jimmy McAleer. McAleer had a record of 551 wins and 632 losses before being replaced by Jack O'Connor in 1910.

The Browns had to wait over 40 years before finally winning their first pennant in 1944. Which team did they face in their first-ever World Series?

St Louis Cardinals. Ironically, it was their co-tenants of Sportsman Park who provided the opposition, in what was dubbed the "Streetcar Series". The Cards won the series 4-2.

The largest crowd for a Browns' home regular-season game turned out for the final game of that 1944 season. Who were their opponents with whom they were tied for the AL lead going into that final game?

New York Yankees. 34,625 turned out to see the Browns defeat the Yankees 5-2, while Washington defeated the second place Tigers, giving the Browns the pennant.

Perhaps the most infamous player ever to turn out for the Browns was Eddie Gaedel, who only ever made one plate appearance for the club. What was unusual about Eddie?

He was only 3' 7" tall. Controversial owner Bill Veeck sent Gaedel out to bat against Detroit on August 19th, 1951, as a publicity stunt, in an attempt to draw larger crowds. Pitcher Bob Cain, who could hardly pitch for laughing, not surprisingly walked Gaedel. The AL banned midgets from the league the following day, and Gaedel's name and record did not appear in the official records for the 1951 season.

Which player appeared in the most games for the Browns from 1902 to 1953?

George Sisler. Sisler not only holds the team record for most games (1,647), he also holds the Browns' record for most hits (2,295), runs (1,091), doubles (343), triples (145), total bases (3,207), and batting average (.344).

After years of mostly-losing seasons and dwindling attendances, the Browns moved to which city after the 1953 season?

Baltimore. The Baltimore Orioles were to prove much more successful than the St. Louis Browns, with World Series victories in 1966, 1970, and 1983.