"First in Booze, First in Shoes, & Last in the American League"
The St. Louis Browns (1902 – 1953)
(presented May 2009)
1. |
The St. Louis Browns opened American League play in 1902. They were previously which franchise?
St. Louis Brown Stockings
Milwaukee Brewers
St. Louis Stars
St. Louis Maroons
|
Milwaukee Brewers |
2. |
As part of the "baseball wars" settlement in late 1915, Federal League owners were allowed to purchase AL and NL franchises (the Browns and the Cubs). What were the names of the now-defunct Federal League teams in St. Louis and Chicago? What is the Chicago Federal League Park now called? |
St.L Terriers, Chicago Whales Wrigley Field |
3. |
1922 was the Browns’ winning-est year ever. They won 93 games and finished one game behind the Yankees. Which Brownie led in: AL Home Runs (39) and RBI (155) AL Stolen Bases (51) AL Batting Average (.420) AL Strikeouts (pitching) (149) |
Ken Williams George Sisler George Sisler Urban Shocker |
4. | This Brownie was baseball’s first "30-30 man" (home runs and steals). | Ken Williams |
5. | The Browns had a press conference scheduled for Monday, December 8, 1941 at the AL meetings in Chicago. The attack on Pearl Harbor on Sunday cancelled their plans. What were they going to announce? | The team was to move to Los Angeles in 1942 |
6. |
Who was the skipper of the pennant-winning 1944 Browns? |
Luke Sewell |
7. | In addition to the city of St. Louis and Sportsman’s Park, the Browns’ and Cardinals’ managers shared something else in common, and it caused some logistical headaches during the 1944 World Series. What was it? | they shared the same apartment |
8. |
This Brownie led the AL in RBI in 1944 |
Vern Stephens |
9. |
It took two home runs by this Brownie outfielder to clinch the AL pennant on the last day of the 1944 season. Was he: Chet Laabs Don Gutteridge Mike Kreevich Frank Mancuso |
Chet Laabs |
10. |
These two pitchers have the distinction of being the only hurlers ever to record World Series wins for the Browns. Who were they (pick two) Denny Galehouse Nelson Potter Jack Kramer Sig Jakucki Boots Hollingsworth Bob Muncrief |
Denny Galehouse Jack Kramer |
11. | This Browns player was one of two blacks to break the St. Louis major league color barrier in 1947. He later played in the first all-black major league outfield for the NY Giants, along with Monte Irvin and Willie Mays. | Hank Thompson |
12. | This St. Louis native went to high school with my (Monte Cely’s) Mom and was AL Rookie of the Year in 1949 with the Browns. | Roy Sievers |
13. |
This Brownie infielder gained much greater fame as a television star. Was he: Chuck Connors Mark Christman Johnny Berardino Chuck Stevens |
Johnny Berardino |
14. | The Browns played in the AL for 52 seasons. How many times did they finish in the first division? 8 12 16 18 | 12 |
15. | How many times did they finish last? 6 8 10 12 | 10 |
16. | Browns’ superstar George Sisler held the modern record for most hits in a season (257). This record was recently broken by Ichiro. What year did Sisler set this record? | 1920 |
17. |
In 1921, the Browns’ three outfielders combined for one of the highest composite outfield batting averages in baseball history (.351). Who were they (pick three): Cedric Durst Baby Doll Jacobsen Chick Shorten Ken Williams Jack Tobin Wally Gerber |
Jacobsen Williams Tobin |
18. | This Texas League star and Browns pitcher later won the 1958 Cy Young Award. | Bob Turley |
19. | For whom did midget Eddie Gaedel pinch-hit? After Gaedel walked, who pinch ran? |
Frank Saucier Jim Delsing |
20. | Who was the first Browns player to enter the Hall of Fame? Who was the last? |
George Sisler Satchel Paige or Willard Brown (Paige played the latest for the Browns (1953), W. Brown was inducted the latest in 2006) |
21. |
Tie Breaker: What position did each of these Brownies play on the 1944 AL champs? Don Gutteridge Frank Mancuso Mark Christman Mike Kreevich Chet Laabs Vern Stephens George McQuinn Al Zarilla |
Gutteridge-2B, Mancuso-C, Christman-3B, Kreevich-OF, Laabs-OF, Stephens-SS, McQuinn-1B, Zarilla-OF |