Bill Borst Brownie Bits
* On Christmas Day of 2005, the Browns Fan Club and the city of St. Louis lost one of its greatest boosters. Charles W. DeWitt, the son of the late Charles W. DeWitt owned the Browns with his brother William Orville from 1949-1951, died. His father and uncle were executives with the Browns when they won their only pennant in 1944. His uncle Bill, was named the Major League Executive of the year. There was a short memorial service that Fred Heger and I attended. It was not surprising that his son, Chip, brought up the BFC and his lifelong enthusiasm for the St. Louis Browns baseball team. Chuck was a big man and had an enormous zest for living. He was the subject of our abuse and love at one of our "extra" dinners years back when we roasted him. As I remember, he gave it back as good as he took it.
* Another Brownie alumni passed away on February 1, 2006. Born Jacob Fields Wade in Morehead City, NC, on April 1, 1912, the joke was on the Browns. During his one season, the 1939 campaign, his record as a Brownie was 0-2 in two starts. He was pounded for 26 hits in 16+ innings for an enormous 11.02 ERA. He struck out nine and had a complete game but walked an incredible 19 batters. He certainly would not have made our Hall of Fame. Nicknamed "Whistling Jake," Wade had a career record of 27-40 in eight major league seasons with Detroit, St. Louis, the Red Sox, and the White Sox before winding up with the Senators and the Yankees in 1946. He was 93 years old.
* And how could you fairly judge unless you have an autographed copy of the Best of Seasons which is available from the club address for $12 ppd. I only have a couple of dozen copies left, so you had better get them while they're available. To the first dozen who send in their order I will throw in a club publication of my choice for free.
* We have some extra plaques left. If you would like either a replica of the JoAnne Mickelson Award or the 1953 Browns Plaque, send a tax-deductible check for $35 to the club address and we will send one out right away. Specify which one you want. If you want both, send a check for $60 ppd. This might be your last chance to get some of this stuff, especially if you do not come to the dinner.
* Just as I wrote the above, I learned of a new book about the 1944 season. Entitled The Boys Who Were Left Behind: The 1944 World Series Between the Hapless St. Louis Browns and the Legendary St. Louis Cardinals, it is written by John Heidenry and Brett Topel.
* Jack Powell's 164 losses was second most in the decade from 1900-1909. Bob Groom was also second the next decade with 124 losses. Ned Garver's 117 losses were the most of the 1950s.
* On a positive note, Garver's 20 wins in 1951 were 38.5% of the team's victories, one of the highest totals in history. Jack Chesbro leads all of history with 45.6% (41 of 92) in 1904.
* George Sisler could also run. His 214 stolen bases was the 4th highest total in the 1920's. Bob Dillinger's 90 stolen bases is good for 9th place in the 1940s. Sisler won the stolen base title four times in the 1920s. Dillinger won it three times in the 1940s. The only other Brownie to win such a title was Lyn Larry in 1936. His 158 steals was the third highest in the decade.
* Don't forget to send your $25 renewals, and maybe a generous tax-deductible donation, to Bud Kane, 443 Fieldcrest Lane, Webster Grove, MO 63119. Only your support can keep BFC going after 21 years. Reservations are coming in for the dinner. There will be a limited number admitted to this June 8th dinner, so if you’re interested please sign up right away.
Club Address
St. Louis Browns Historical Society
PO Box 16271
St. Louis< MO 63105
