1885 St. Louis Browns season

Updated on Oct 09, 2024

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Record 79–33 (.705) Owner(s) Chris von der Ahe Stats ESPN.comBB-reference		League place 1st Manager(s) Charlie Comiskey

The 1885 St. Louis Browns season was the team's fourth season in St. Louis, Missouri, and the fourth season in the American Association. The Browns went 79–33 during the season, best in the American Association, and won their first AA pennant. In the World Series, the Browns played the National League champion Chicago White Stockings. The series ended in dispute with each club winning 3 games with 1 tie.

The making of the first championship

Manager Charlie Comiskey finally was able to assemble and direct a team from start to finish the way he wanted. The result: a runaway championship.

The team was built on daring baserunning, clutch hitting, and the best pitching in the league. The team as a whole led the league in both earned run average and overall runs allowed by a healthy margin over second-best Louisville. Individually, Dave Foutz was outstanding, as he won 33 of the 46 games he started and ranked fifth in ERA. His teammate Bob Caruthers was even better, compiling league-leading totals in wins (40), ERA (2.07) and winning percentage (a stellar .755).

Running away from the pack

The Browns took over first place to stay in the second week of May, but they made a joke of the race in July. On successive home stands, they had winning streaks of 17 and 10 games, combining for a major-league record 27-game winning streak at home that still stands as the best ever. They finished 16 laps ahead of second-place Cincinnati Red Stockings and earned a berth in the World Series against National League champion Chicago White Stockings.

The championship

Game 1 between the Browns and White Stockings was called for darkness tied 5–5 after eight innings. The Series turned with Game 2 in St. Louis. Chicago was leading 5–4 in the sixth inning when Comiskey pulled his team off the field in protest of the work of umpire Dave Sullivan. Sullivan later forfeited the game to Chicago.

After Foutz pitched St. Louis to a 13–4 victory, however, Anson reneged, and the baseball world called the series a draw.

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

World Series

Game 1 (October 14): Darkness ends game one after 8 innings‚ with the teams tied 5–5.

Game 2 (October 15): With Chicago leading 5–4 in the sixth inning, Browns manager Charles Comiskey calls his team off the field to protest a ruling made by umpire Dave Sullivan. The game is forfeited to Chicago.

Game 6 (October 23): The series moves from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati‚ setting a record for the series played in the most cities. (It was also played in New York and St. Louis.) Chicago takes a 3–2 series lead by beating the Browns 9–2.

Game 7 (October 24): Behind pitcher Dave Foutz, St. Louis defeats Chicago 13–4 in the 7th and last game. The Browns claim the game 2 forfeit didn't count and therefore claim the championship. The two clubs split the $1000 prize.

References

1885 St. Louis Browns season Wikipedia

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