- 1902
- 1953
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The New St. Louis Browns
In 1902, however, the team did move to St. Louis, where it became the “Browns”, in reference to the original name of the legendary 1880s club that by 1902 was known as the Cardinals. In their first St. Louis season, the Browns finished second. Although they usually fielded terrible or mediocre teams they had only four winning seasons from 1901 ... -
Veeck Purchase and Move to Baltimore
Veeck attempted to move the Browns back to Milwaukee (where he had owned the Brewers of the American Association in the 1940s), but the move was blocked by the other American League owners, seemingly for reasons that were more personal than business-related. Undaunted, Veeck got in touch with Baltimore Mayor Tommy D’Alesandro and attorney Clarence Miles, who were leading an ...
History of the Browns
The St. Louis Browns were a professional baseball team in the American League from 1902 to 1953. The team was initially known as the Milwaukee Brewers but changed its name when it moved to St. Louis in 1902 and became one of eight charter members of the American League. Throughout their history, they had some great players, such as George Sisler, Dizzy Dean, and Rogers Hornsby, who all went on to be inducted into Baseball's Hall Of Fame after their time with the Browns ended.
Unfortunately for fans of this storied franchise, however, success on the field did not come quickly or often for them during most of their existence; despite having some talented rosters throughout those years, they never won an AL Pennant or World Series title while based in St Louis (though they did win two championships before moving there). They also suffered through several long stretches without posting winning records which caused attendance numbers to dwindle over time, eventually leading ownership groups towards relocation efforts which finally came true when Baltimore Orioles owner Jerold Hoffberger bought majority stakeholdings from Bill Veeck Jr at the end of the 1951 season and moved them out east following campaign’s conclusion.
Despite these struggles, though, many sports fans fondly remember this historic club thanks largely due how beloved figures like Veeck were among local fanbases - he was famous for his promotional stunts such as sending midget Eddie Gaedel up plate batting against Red Sox pitcher Bob Cain - plus the fact that even if results weren't always favorable still managed to compete hard each year regardless circumstances. While few details remain about the legacy left behind by former organizations, one thing sure is that the impact made during tenure will be remembered for generations.
Browns Products
Established
1894
City
Milwaukee – St. Louis – Baltimore
League History
2000 – Present / Major League Baseball
1900 – 1999 / American League
1894 – 1900 / Western League
Team History
1954 – Present / Baltimore Orioles
1902 – 1953 / St. Louis Browns
1894 – 1901 / Milwaukee Brewers
Nickname
Browns – The St. Louis Browns are a Major League Baseball team that has existed since 1902. The origin of the name is an exciting story that any baseball fan should know about!
The team's original owner was Chris Von der Ahe, who owned a brewery in St. Louis called “Von der Ahe's Brown Stock Ale,” which he named after himself (Von der Ahe). When choosing a name for his new baseball franchise, he honored his beer by naming them the “St. Louis Browns” after its color!
This decision was not without controversy, though; some fans felt like it would be better if they had chosen something more unique or related to their city, such as "Cardinals" or "Orioles." Despite this criticism, Von Der Ahe stuck with his choice and thus began one of MLB's oldest teams still playing today - The St.Louis Browns!
It wasn't until 1954, when Bill Veeck purchased the team; they changed their nickname from “Browns” to "Orioles" to distance themselves from past failures associated with being known as 'the Browns.' Since then, they have become two-time World Series champions and are known simply as Baltimore Orioles throughout most of North America (and even overseas!).
So there you have it – next time someone asks you why MLB teams were initially called ‘Browns,' now you can tell them all about how Chris Von DerAe honored his own beer company by giving birth to what eventually became one of professional baseball's most successful franchises: the Baltimore Orioles.
Championship
World Series 0
1983, 1970, 1966
Stadium
1992 – Present / Oriole Park at Camden Yards
1954 – 1991 / Memorial Stadium
*St. Louis*
1902 – 1953 / Sportsman’s Park
*Milwaukee*
1895 – 1901 / Lloyd Street Grounds
1894 / Borchert Field
Owner
1993 – Present / Peter Angelos
1989 – 1993 / Eli Jacobs
1979 – 1988 / Edward Bennett Williams
1965 – 1979 / Jerold Hoffberger
1959 – 1965 / Jerold Hoffberger & Joe Iglehart
1955 – 1959 / Jerold Hoffberger & James Keelty
1954 – 1955 / Jerold Hoffberger & Clarence Miles
1951 – 1953 / Bill Veeck
1948 – 1951 / Bill DeWitt
1945 – 1948 / Richard Muckerman
1936 – 1945 / Donald Lee Barnes
1915 – 1933 / Phil Ball
1902 – 1915 / Robert Hedges
1894 – 1902 / Henry Killilea
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Retired Number
4 / Earl Weaver
5 / Brooks Robinson
8 / Cal Ripken, Jr.
20 / Frank Robinson
22 / Jim Palmer
33 / Eddie Murray
42 / Jackie Robinson
*Blue is this team’s history
