This day in baseball: Carl Weilman strikes out 6 times

On July 25, 1913, Carl Weilman became the first player ever recorded to strike out six times in a single game. The St. Louis Browns’ 23-year-old lefty entered the game in relief with one out in the first inning, pitching the rest of the contest. Weilman accomplished the dubious strikeout feat over the course of 15 innings at Griffith Stadium against the Senators, and the game ended in an 8-8 tie.

Carl Weilman, 1915 (public domain)

Quote of the day

The doctors all said I’d never play again, but when you’re fighting for something that actually keeps you alive — well, the human will is all you need.

~George Sisler, after missing the 1923 season due to a severe sinus infection

George Sisler 1924 - LoC
George Sisler, 1924 (Library of Congress)

This day in baseball: Wes Ferrell no-hits the Browns

On April 29, 1931, Cleveland Indians pitcher Wes Ferrell pitched a no-hitter against the St. Louis Browns, striking out eight. Ferrell also hit a home run and a double with four RBIs in the 9-0 victory. Ferrell’s brother Rick was the catcher for the Browns that day, going 0-for-3 at the plate. The box score for the game can be found here.

Ferrell Rick 6462.70_Grp_NBL
Wesley and Rick Ferrell as Boston Red Sox (Baseball Hall of Fame)

This day in baseball: Sisler drives home 7 in two innings

On July 11, 1925, St. Louis Browns first basemen George Sisler hit a triple with the bases loaded in the third inning and then followed it up with a grand slam in the fourth. Sisler’s phenomenal offensive performance led the Browns to a 10-5 victory over the Washington Senators in front of 15,000 fans at Sportsman’s Park.

The full box score from the game can be found here.

George Sisler 1924 - LoC
George Sisler, 1924 (Library of Congress)

This day in baseball: Multiple position players pitching

September 28th was the last day of the season in 1902, and in apparent celebration, the Browns and the White Sox decided to use an assortment of seven infielders and outfielders on the mound, rather than relying on their pitching staffs. Chicago outfielder Sam Mertes earned the victory, and the Browns’ left fielder Jesse Burkett suffered the loss in the Sox’s 10-4 victory at Sportsman’s Park. This was the last time the winning and losing pitchers were both position players in the same game until 2012, when Chris Davis of the Orioles and Darnell McDonald of the Red Sox also accomplished the feat in Baltimore’s 17-inning victory at Fenway Park.

sportsmans park
ballparksofbaseball.com

This day in baseball: Thompson’s MLB debut

Less than two weeks after Larry Doby’s debut with the Indians, Hank Thompson became the second black player to debut in the American League on July 17, 1947.  In the game, Thompson went 0-for-4 as the Browns suffered a 16-2 loss to Philadelphia at Sportsman’s Park.  Thompson would play in only 27 games for St. Louis because his presence did not significantly raise attendance.

Hank Thompson
Hank Thompson (nlbm.mlbblogs.com)