St. Louis Browns

Lore & Background

The team began as the Milwaukee Brewers in the Western League, which was renamed the American League in 1900 and declared a major league in 1901. Owned by Milwaukee lawyers Matthew and Henry Killilea, the Brewers struggled financially and on the field, finishing last in 1901 with a 48–89 record. After the season, league president Ban Johnson approved the team's move to St. Louis, where it was renamed the Browns after the earlier National Association team, the St. Louis Brown Stockings. New owner Robert Hedges built a park on the site of the former Browns' venue, Sportsman's Park.

In 1910, the Browns were central to a scandal involving the American League batting title. Players and manager Jack O'Connor attempted to help Nap Lajoie beat Ty Cobb by ordering the third baseman to play deep, allowing Lajoie to bunt for hits. O'Connor and coach Harry Howell tried to bribe the official scorer to change a call. After an investigation by Ban Johnson, O'Connor and Howell were fired and informally banned from baseball for life.

Under owner Philip DeCatesby Ball, the Browns had their best success in the early 1920s, nearly winning the pennant in 1922. That season, Ken Williams became the first major leaguer to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in a year. However, Ball made decisions that analysts believe hurt the franchise, including allowing Branch Rickey to leave for the Cardinals and permitting the Cardinals to share Sportsman's Park, which helped the Cardinals build a stronger fan base.

Reader's Guide

The St. Louis Browns are significant as one of the eight charter members of the American League, yet they represent the league's least successful original franchise. Their 52-year tenure in St. Louis was marked by only one pennant and frequent last-place finishes, a record that contrasts sharply with the success of the crosstown Cardinals. The Browns' move to Baltimore in 1954 created the modern Baltimore Orioles, a team that would later achieve multiple World Series titles. The franchise's early history includes the 1910 batting title scandal, which remains a notable episode in baseball lore. The Browns also contributed two Hall of Fame players, Bobby Wallace and George Sisler, and were the first team to have a player (Ken Williams) achieve a 30–30 season. Their legacy is often overshadowed by the Cardinals, but the Browns are remembered as a unique and struggling club that ultimately found new life in Baltimore.

Did You Know?

• The St. Louis Browns were originally the Milwaukee Brewers, a charter member of the American League.
• The Browns won only one pennant in 52 years and finished fifth or worse 40 times.
• In 1910, Browns players and manager Jack O'Connor tried to help Nap Lajoie win the batting title over Ty Cobb, leading to a scandal.
• The Browns were named after the St. Louis Brown Stockings of the National Association, not after the Cardinals.