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More Vintage Brew by Paul Tenpenny

by | Nov 5, 2008 | Uncategorized


1951: For he’s a “Jolly” good fellow
…that nobody can deny…

“The Milwaukee Brewers & Charlie Grimm Win It All “

by Paul F. Tenpenny

(Tencentz@aol.com )

Copyright 2008 Tencentzports



Reprinted with permission of the Author

The Milwaukee Brewers of the 1940’s were one of the most dominant teams of the decade. Bill Veeck’s and manager Charlie Grimm’s transformation of the team in late 1941 and 1942 led to 3 consecutive American Association 1st place finishes from 1943-1945. Even after their departures, the Brewers of the 1940’s stayed competitive.

1941 55 – 98 (8th place)

1942 81 – 69 (2nd place)
1943 90 – 61 (1st place)
1944 102 – 51 (1st place)
1945 93 – 61 (1st place)
1946 70 – 78 (5th place)
1947 79 – 75 (3rd place)*
(*Winner Junior World Series)
1948 89 – 65 (2nd place)
1949 76 – 76 (3rd place)

After a poor showing in 1950, finishing at the 6th spot with a disappointing 68-85 record under Bob Coleman, the Milwaukee Brewers made a change and brought back Charlie Grimm to manage in 1951.


1951 color photo of Manager Charlie Grimm (Author’s Collection)

The American Association was celebrating it’s golden anniversary in 1951, and with “Jolly Cholly” at the helm, Milwaukee was optimistic it would be a golden year for the Brewers too. Charlie was a player’s manager who knew their abilities. He was easy going and his sense of humor, which included banjo playing and singing, kept the clubhouse atmosphere a laid back one. The players felt relaxed with him in charge and responded well to his style of managing.

Charlie Grimm predicted that win or lose, Milwaukee fans would find his hustling Brewer team an exciting one to watch. True to his word, the Brewers were just that and spent much of the early part of the season in 1st place battling with the Kansas City Blues for the top spot.

With the building of a new stadium (Milwaukee County Stadium) for the Brewers to replace the aging Borchert Field, Milwaukee was being seen by many as a major league town. From New York City, former Brewer skipper Casey Stengel, now managing the New York Yankees, emphasized this as he told reporters that Milwaukee deserved to be a Major League city. Casey never considered Milwaukee a bush league town, even though he was wrongfully accused of making that statement years later when his Yankees came to Milwaukee to take on the Milwaukee Braves in 1957.


2nd baseman & Team Captain Bill Reed with Manager Charlie “Jolly Cholly” Grimm. Note the Golden Jubilee Banner in the background. Photo with autographs (Author’s Collection)

As the season moved on, Charlie’s “Cinderella Kids” were being compared to the “Boisterous Brewers” of 1936 who won it all that year. Like that team of 1936, they fought back often, winning several games after posting the opposition to early leads. They were a “cocky” team who believed in themselves according to clubhouse boy, Bill (“Greek”) Topitzes who accompanied them on their road trips.

Milwaukee hung around first place the entire month of July with KC and the Saint Paul Saints giving them some competition, but not for long. By August, the streaking Brewers left their competition far behind, clinching the American Association on September 1st when they went 11 games over the pack with 10 games to go.


1951 Milwaukee Brewer Program
Team Mascot “Owgust” had the look of “Grimm” determination
(Author’s Collection)


1951 Milwaukee Brewers

(Original Team Photo – Author’s Collection)



1951 Team Roster and statistics
(courtesy – Rex Hamann – American Association Almanac )

Milwaukee had 7 of it’s starters named American Association All Stars for 1951. Catcher Al Unser, 1st Baseman George Crowe, Outfielder Jim Basso, 2nd Baseman Bill Reed, 3rd Baseman Billy Klaus and pitchers Ernie Johnson and Murray Wall.

Lloyd Larson writing for the Milwaukee Sentinel acknowledged the play of the team but gave a large amount of the credit to Charlie Grimm, stating that it takes a good manager to bring out the talent of each individual, and he did that perfectly.

The Brewers were a powerhouse and dominated the rest of the American Association in 1951, finishing the season 9 games ahead of their nearest competitor, the Saint Paul Saints.

Pitching went deep, led by Ernie Johnson who had a record of 15 wins and only 4 losses with a league leading 2.62 ERA.

Murray Wall nearly matched Ernie J’s record with a 15 – 5 win loss record.

Bert Thiel pitched in with 14 wins (including a no hitter on
August 16th.)

Bullpen ace Virgil Jester went 13-6 in 47 games with a 3.21 ERA.

Charlie Gorin had a record of 12-9 with an ERA of 4.38

They were peerless in fielding and hitting. (.981 fielding with a .286 team batting average).

Rookie of the year, George Crowe led the league in RBI’s with 119 and a batting average of .339, slugging 24 round trippers. Arguably worthy of a MVP nod too.

Al Unser was voted the league MVP and had 17 home runs and a batting average of .293.

Shortstop Buzz Clarkson batted .343

2nd baseman Bill Reed tallied .311

Outfielder Bob Thorpe netted a .299 BA

All Star – MVP Catcher Al Unser
with autograph (Author’s Collection)

Pitcher Bert Thiel on teammate Al Unser:

“Al was no young chicken, he handled our young pitching staff like an old hen watching her chicks. All of us pitchers give him credit for the year we had. We all marveled at his endurance at his age. He had some power but mostly he put the ball in play. Still had an arm to throw runners out. He was the main cog in the wheel.

Brewer Catcher Paul Burris
with autograph (Author’s Collection)

Paul Burris backed up Al Unser and usually caught the 2nd game in double headers. He was a good receiver who handled the pitchers well.


All Star – Rookie of the Year First Baseman George Crowe
with autograph (Author’s Collection)

George was a big guy at 6′ 2″ and 225lbs. He was a power hitter who had good bat control and knew the strike zone. He hit left handers well.


1st Baseman Len Pearson with his infield teammates (Program Photo Author’s Collection)

A winter ball knee injury limited Len Pearson’s play in 1951 for Milwaukee.


All Star Second Baseman Billy Reed in the dugout – Borchert Field (Author’s Collection)

Bert Thiel on teammate Billy Reed:


“It was an honor to play with Bill Reed for six years. Bill and I are both from Shawano County (Wisconsin). He was the captain of our ball club, a .300 hitter and a fine second baseman. ” …He knew each pitcher and always seemed to be in the right place to make plays.”



Shortstop James “Buster” – “Bus” – “Buzz” Clarkson ( Author’s Collection)

Charlie Gorin on teammate “Bus “Clarkson:


” I remember Clarkson on fielding a ground ball would make the throw and holler -“Do Something with it George” Bus was older and his arm was a little weak, but Crowe ( 1st ) would dig it out of the dirt. Bus made up for his arm with a strong bat”

Bert Thiel on teammate Buzz Clarkson:


“Nobody knew his age but he could swing that bat and with power.”


Shortstop Johnny Logan 1951 photo (Author’s Collection)

Johnny shared short stop duties with Clarkson. A favorite of Charlie Grimm, Johnny Logan “became great because of hard work…he was able to get the ball away quickly” and Charlie compared him to Pie Traynor. He always hustled and was appreciated for his great sense of humor. A
“gutsy” player. Johnny spent part of the season with the Boston Braves.


Shortstop Johnny Logan
Autographed Exhibit card (Author’s Collection)


1951 Shortstop Gene Mauch
with autograph (Author’s Collection)

Gene was a great utility player, able to play all infield positions. Good hands and range. He was a spray type hitter who played the game hard and did just about anything to win.
Very knowledgeable on the rule book and actually once convinced an umpire that his call was a bad one. A skill I am sure he developed further when he went on to manage at the major league level.


All Star Third Baseman Bill Klaus Photo with autograph (Author’s Collection)

A “vacuum cleaner” at 3rd base, with good arm and range. Bill was a “pesky” hitter who could hit to all fields.


Photo Infielder/ Coach – Mark Christman
with autograph (Author’s Collection)

Mark was at the end of his career with the Brewers filling in occasionally and pinch hitting. As a coach he worked closely with the young infielders.


3rd Baseman Jack Weisenburger
with autograph (Author’s Collection)

From recent correspondence with Jack Weisenburger:


“I loved playing in Milwaukee, the fans were great and I enjoyed my teammates”


All Star Center fielder Jim Basso (Author’s Collection)

Jim Basso was great team player and did well in clutch situations, hitting the long ball when the team needed it. He fielded his position well having average speed and range.


Left Fielder Benjamin Robert “Bob” Thorpe
with autograph (Author’s Collection)

Bob Thorpe was a steady player who covered the outfield well especially the short left field fence at Borchert Field. A line drive hitter with average power and a good runner who could and did steal bases for the Brewers.


Outfielder Luis “Chico” Olmo
Signed Photo (Author’s Collection)

Luis Olmo was a valuable part of the Brewer team, a fine fielder with a good arm and could hit with some power. He did the “little things” that helped his team win.


Right fielder Bob Montag
with autograph (Author’s Collection)

An outfielder with good range and arm. His long ball hitting was a natural fit for the short left and right field fences at Borchert Field. He also backed up George Crowe at 1st base which he played well.

1951 Photo Outfielder Earl Wooten, 3rd Base Ed Mathews, (w/Paul Burris) (Author’s Collection)

A young man wearing the #4 on his jersey appeared late in 1951 and blasted a grand slam home run while with the Brewers. Manager Grimm “recognized the stamp of greatness on him from the start… He had raw power and a great lefty swing”. He wasn’t with the team for long and needed some work on his fielding, but while with the Brewers he averaged .333 in the 12 regular season games he played. Becoming a bit more popular as #41 with the Milwaukee Braves, he went on to greater fame in the Major leagues, Hall of Famer Ed Mathews.


All Star Pitcher Ernie Johnson in action at Borchert Field-Courtesy of Bert Thiel
(Author’s Collection)

Ernie was not overpowering, but he was a sinker type pitcher who relied on his control. His slider was his money pitch and he was very effective with changing his speed.

In a recent correspondence with Ernie J:


“The 51 Brewers were one of the best minor league teams around. Several of the players went on to the majors. We won it all, including 2 sets of playoffs”


ERA leader Ernie Johnson Autographed Card (Author’s Collection)


All Star Pitcher Murray Wall with a great shot of Borchert ‘s “Wall”
with autograph. (Author’s Collection)

Murray Wall while not being overly fast, had good movement on all of his pitches. He was a excellent fielder at his position. A perennial winner.


“No Hit “Pitcher – Maynard “Bert” Thiel Autographed Photo (Author’s Collection)

Bert Thiel had a good fastball and a sharp curve. His change up was more of a screwball which was an effective pitch for him against left handed hitters. He had a 14-9 season with an ERA of 3.71 in 1951.

Thursday August 16, 1951 was a memorable date for Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Bert Thiel who pitched the American Association’s first no hitter of the season in the first half of a twin bill with Toledo, blanking the Mud Hens in a 7 inning game at Borchert field 5-0. (The game ran 7 innings instead of the usual 9 due to American Association rules having double header games run only 7 innings long.) It was the first no hitter at Borchert field since Dennis Gearin pitched one against Columbus on August 21, 1926. Thiel, still a resident of Wisconsin, had previously pitched another 7 inning no hit game while at Hartford in the Eastern League the previous summer.
Thiel allowed just two base runners, Bobby Mavis on a walk in the second inning. Then after retiring the next 12 batters, Russ Sullivan reached on a error by Buzz Clarkson in the 6th. Thiel contributed 2 strike outs and helped himself offensively with two singles. It was his 12th victory of the season against 8 losses.
When asked about the game Thiel said :


“Yes, I knew I had a no hitter all along. I didn’t notice any particular tenseness until the last inning, and then I could feel it from the crowd, which was cheering every pitch and even the easy outs. I was really bearing down in the seventh and wasn’t upset at all by Buzz Clarkson’s fumble of that pop fly, as he tossed him out at second. And what a relief when that third strike slipped past Don Lund’s bat for the final out”.

The ball had hardly settled in Paul Burris’ big mitt, as all of his teammates charged Thiel to congratulate him.


Bert Thiel Photo and autograph (Author’s Collection)

From recent correspondence from Bert Thiel:

“I have wonderful memories playing for Charlie Grimm…and a fine G. M. Red Smith.


Charlie Gorin Signed Photo (Author’s collection)

Charlie Gorin was a strong competitor, having a good fastball and curve and especially effective against left handed hitters. He had a good pick off move and fielded his position well.

From recent correspondence with Charlie Gorin:


“Playing in Milwaukee was my first year in professional baseball…I really enjoyed being in Milwaukee”
“As players we got along well and enjoyed our teammates.
Charlie Grimm was not a driving type individual-he believed in enjoying the game-but play hard.”
Borchert field was something to describe to my friends.

Pitcher Dick Donovan
with autograph (Author’s Collection)

Dick Donovan had a good fastball, slider and curve. When he found the plate consistently, he was a winner. He eventually did, and spent many years in the majors.

Relief Pitcher Virgil Jester with autograph (Author’s Collection)

Virgil Jester was a “Fine competitor”. He was a spot starter along with being a good closer for Milwaukee. He had an above average fastball and his slider was his best breaking pitch.

According to fellow pitcher Bert Thiel: “Just wild enough to keep hitters loose”.

From Virgil Jester:


“We had a very good triple A ball club. The fans were great, the press was great…Milwaukee was a great place to play ball”


Pitcher Emil Kush (Author’s Collection)

Virgil Jester on teammate Emil Kush:


“I received a lot of pitching help in those days from Emil Kush. He was a lot like a pitching coach on the bench.”

Bert Thiel echo’s Jester on his appreciation for Emil’s coaching abilities:


“Emil Kush kept telling me my fastball had more movement from the belt down, how right he was, more ground balls and more double plays.”


Pitcher Dick Hoover with Autograph (Author’s Collection)


Dick Hoover was usually used in the middle relief and was a spot starter.
He had great control of his pitches. He had an average fastball but a good curve and slider. Very durable and could pitch often.


Pitcher Art Fowler: Another view of “Borchert Orchert” with Red Smith in the background. Photo with Autograph. (Author’s Collection)


Another Great Panoramic view of Borchert Field –
Pitcher Don Liddle with autograph. (Author’s Collection)

Don Liddle’s pitching was limited to just 4 games for Milwaukee in 1951.

Pitcher Bob Hall Autograph (Author’s Collection)

Bob Hall pitched in 63 innings in 1951 with an ERA of 4.29


Pitcher Norman Roy Signed 3 x 5 and Signed Card (Author’s Collection)

The Boston Braves pitcher appeared in just one game for Milwaukee in 1951.


Pitcher Bob Chipman (Author’s Collection )

Bob Chipman went 1-0 giving up no runs in 7 innings in his only appearance with the Brewers.


Outfielder Les Sepkowski Signed Photo (Author’s Collection)

Les played in 7 games for the Brewers in 1951.


Outfielder Howie Moss with Autograph (Author’s Collection)

Moss hit .259 in 1951 for the Brewers in the 19 games he played in.


Outfielder Bob Jaderlund

Outfielder Bob Jaderlund hit .244 in the 37 games he played in
for Milwaukee.

Pitcher Sid Schacht (Author’s Collection)
(Courtesy Milwaukee Public Library)

Sid Won 4 and lost 1 with a 4.09 ERA in his 77 innings of work for Milwaukee in 1951.


1990 McCarthy Artwork – Borchert Field (Author’s Collection)

Finishing on top of the American Association in regular season play had the Milwaukee Brewers looking forward to the playoffs. The Shaughnesey Plan playoffs (created by and named after the International league President Frank J. Shaughnesey) were created to improve attendance in 1936. It pitted the top four teams in the American Association against each other in a 7 game playoff, virtually a 2nd season for 1st division teams. Only 3 times in the past history of the playoffs did the winner of the regular season go on to win it all. A point of contention since these playoffs were instituted. Still,
it gave everyone a 2nd chance if they were among the upper tier of teams and kept the fans coming to games, which was what these playoffs were envisioned to accomplish. But, every year, the system was challenged as to it’s merit allowing possibly the 2nd, 3rd or 4th place teams to represent a league in a playoff that was supposed to mean something. Again in 1951 there was a call to replace it with a major league style post season series.

1st place took on 3rd place finishers while the 2nd place team took on the 4th. The winners would then play for the Governor’s cup and would represent the American Association as champion and would meet the winner of the International League who held similar playoffs, in the Junior World Series.

The Brewers who handled the Blues easily enough during the season defeated Kansas City 4 game to 1 in the first round of the playoffs. Ernie Johnson, arguably the best pitcher in the AA having beat the KC team twice during the season, repeated with two victories over the Blues. His 2nd and clinching victory being an 11-3 blowout at Kansas City.

The team’s next opponent were the Saint Paul Saints who had defeated the Louisville Colonels.
The Brewers set down the Saint Paul team 4 games to 2 with a blistering 17-2 final game victory in front of the hometown crowd at Borchert field, again with Ernie Johnson on the mound who struck out 9 batters while walking only 1. Johnson won two of the 4 games in this second round, bringing his playoff total to 4 wins, half of the teams 8 victories so far. Pitcher Murray Wall pitched in with 2 playoff victories over the two series.

The Brewers would now face Walter Alston’s Montreal Royals (95-57) for the Junior World Series, Milwaukee held a statistical edge over the International League Champions, but the Royals were the early favorites. While both teams led their respective leagues in team fielding and hitting, Milwaukee’s team batting average was .286 vs. the Royals .268.
and held a 9 point edge in fielding. The Royals had the edge in speed and stolen bases for the season. The first 3 games would be played in Montreal, then move on to Milwaukee.

Game 1 was won by the Royals 6-3 as Murray Wall was shelled in the 2nd inning with 4 straight hits, leading to 4 runs. It was enough of a lead for the Royals as their pitcher Chris Van Cuyk gave up only 7 hits and struck out 6.
Relief Pitcher Tom LaSorda finished the game for him.

In Game 2, the Milwaukee Brewers rallied in the 9th inning to beat the Royals 4-3 thanks to timely hitting by Earl Wooten who singled to drive in Luis Olmo. Wooten took 2nd base when the throw went to the plate.
Gene Mauch then singled in the lead run. Left hander Dick Hoover came in to preserve the victory for Virgil Jester who replaced Ernie Johnson when Johnson gave up his 2-0 lead in the 6th and 7th.

George “Shotgun” Shuba clouted a 2 run homer in the 2nd inning and repeated the feat with another in the 11th inning to win Game 3 by the score of 5-3. The Royals now led 2 games to 1 as play moved on to the friendly surroundings of Milwaukee’s Borchert Field for the remainder of the series.

Game 4 went to the Brewers 4-2 on a 6 hitter by Dick Donovan in front of 11,595 fans. The left center field corner was roped off for the over flow crowd. Buzz Clarkson smashed a 3 run home run in the 5th inning as the Brewers evened the series at 2 games apiece. Donovan struggled with walking batters but managed to get out of trouble in the later innings.

With their ace on the mound for game 5, Milwaukee breezed to a 6-0 victory with Ernie Johnson pitching a 4 hit shutout. The Brewers were poised just one victory away from the Series title.

Game 6 was a game that if you lost faith and gave up and left early or turned off your radio, you would have missed a stunning comeback. The Milwaukee Brewers overcame an 8 run deficit to whip the Montreal Royals and win the minor league’s biggest prize, the Junior World Series. Down after two innings by the score of 10-2. They came roaring back.
It wasn’t surprising that the Brewer’s comeback occurred after an rhubarb in the 5th inning, started when Montreal’s left fielder Al Gionfriddo had to duck a high inside pitch that he thought was deliberate, thrown by Dick Hoover. Gionfriddo proceeded to drag a bunt down the first base line and when Hoover went to first he tried to spike Dick’s foot. The pushing and shoving started emptying both dugouts. After order was restored, play resumed. It sure seemed to fire up the Brewers who put on a 5 run rally in the bottom half of the inning. The Brewers went on to score again in the 6th and 7th and Montreal was finished.

The Milwaukee Brewers had their 3rd Junior World Series having won it before in 1936 and in 1947. It was the first series win for Charlie Grimm.
As he sat by his locker he said:


” This is the greatest thrill of my life”

After 34 years in baseball, he had managed 3 National League pennant winners with the Chicago Cubs and had twice led the Brewers to American Association flags, but with this series victory, he said it was his biggest thrill.

Both teams were well managed and evenly matched. Several of the games could have gone either way.
Montreal’s Manager Walter Alston said after the game:

“We were beaten by a great ball team.”


Grandstand ticket from 1951 Junior World Series

Game 4 Borchert field (Author’s Collection)


Rookie of the Year and RBI Leader George Crowe and League MVP Al Unser being presented their Junior World Series Trophies
(Author’s Collection)

Charlie Grimm’s 1951 Junior World Series Trophy
(Author’s Collection)



As can be seen when comparing Charlie Grimm’s trophy with the photo, Charlie’s has since lost the original batter which has been replaced by a cup. Also the glass crystal is absent from the clock face.



1951 Junior World Series Logo Medallion (Close up)


Charlie Grimm won 3 National League pennants with the Cubs, he set up another for Gabby Hartnett. His 1943 Brewers won the American Association pennant but his team lost in the playoffs that year. He was the set up man for Casey Stengel’s repeat in 1944 when Casey replaced him later that year. Finally, upon his return in 1951, he won it all for Milwaukee, the American Association Season Pennant, The Governor’s Cup and the Junior World Series. Charlie Grimm was deservedly named the American Association’s Manager of the Year for 1951.


1951 Manager of the Year Award (Author’s Collection)


1951 Manager of the Year Award (close up) (Author’s collection)


The wait is over as Brewer Skipper Charlie Grimm finally won the “big one” his first World Series with Milwaukee. (Author’s Collection)


CHARLIE MANAGED IN A STYLE ALL HIS OWN


” I was Jolly Cholly and I always thought that a pat on the back, an encouraging word paid off a lot more than a brilliantly executed piece of strategy” …

…” that a manager should keep his players relaxed and save the whip for the lion tamer”.


1951 Milwaukee Brewers -Courtesy of Bert Thiel
(Author’s Collection)

Front Row: Jim Basso, Billy Reed, Tommy Bloomer and Nat Nachess(batboys) Billy Klaus, Sid Schacht.

2nd Row: Honorary Coach Art McCance, Bob Montag, George Crowe, Manger Charlie Grimm, Bob Thorpe, Coach Mark Christman, Bert Thiel, Coach Joe Just.

3rd Row: Secretary Fred (Shorty) Mendelson, Dick Hoover, Emil Kush, Paul Burris, Virgil Jester, Ernie Johnson, Dick Donovan, Murray Wall, General Manger Red Smith.

Top Row: Gene Mauch Luis Olmo, Earl Wooten, Trainer Bob “Doc” Feron, Jim Clarkson, Charlie Gorin, Al Unser.

Spring Training Brochure (1952) displays the 1951 Championship Banner with Team Photo (Author’s Collection)


Coming in 2009

Vintage Brew
Volume Two

More Vintage Brew by Paul Tenpenny

by | Nov 5, 2008 | Uncategorized


1951: For he’s a “Jolly” good fellow
…that nobody can deny…

“The Milwaukee Brewers & Charlie Grimm Win It All “

by Paul F. Tenpenny

(Tencentz@aol.com )

Copyright 2008 Tencentzports



Reprinted with permission of the Author

The Milwaukee Brewers of the 1940’s were one of the most dominant teams of the decade. Bill Veeck’s and manager Charlie Grimm’s transformation of the team in late 1941 and 1942 led to 3 consecutive American Association 1st place finishes from 1943-1945. Even after their departures, the Brewers of the 1940’s stayed competitive.

1941 55 – 98 (8th place)

1942 81 – 69 (2nd place)
1943 90 – 61 (1st place)
1944 102 – 51 (1st place)
1945 93 – 61 (1st place)
1946 70 – 78 (5th place)
1947 79 – 75 (3rd place)*
(*Winner Junior World Series)
1948 89 – 65 (2nd place)
1949 76 – 76 (3rd place)

After a poor showing in 1950, finishing at the 6th spot with a disappointing 68-85 record under Bob Coleman, the Milwaukee Brewers made a change and brought back Charlie Grimm to manage in 1951.


1951 color photo of Manager Charlie Grimm (Author’s Collection)

The American Association was celebrating it’s golden anniversary in 1951, and with “Jolly Cholly” at the helm, Milwaukee was optimistic it would be a golden year for the Brewers too. Charlie was a player’s manager who knew their abilities. He was easy going and his sense of humor, which included banjo playing and singing, kept the clubhouse atmosphere a laid back one. The players felt relaxed with him in charge and responded well to his style of managing.

Charlie Grimm predicted that win or lose, Milwaukee fans would find his hustling Brewer team an exciting one to watch. True to his word, the Brewers were just that and spent much of the early part of the season in 1st place battling with the Kansas City Blues for the top spot.

With the building of a new stadium (Milwaukee County Stadium) for the Brewers to replace the aging Borchert Field, Milwaukee was being seen by many as a major league town. From New York City, former Brewer skipper Casey Stengel, now managing the New York Yankees, emphasized this as he told reporters that Milwaukee deserved to be a Major League city. Casey never considered Milwaukee a bush league town, even though he was wrongfully accused of making that statement years later when his Yankees came to Milwaukee to take on the Milwaukee Braves in 1957.


2nd baseman & Team Captain Bill Reed with Manager Charlie “Jolly Cholly” Grimm. Note the Golden Jubilee Banner in the background. Photo with autographs (Author’s Collection)

As the season moved on, Charlie’s “Cinderella Kids” were being compared to the “Boisterous Brewers” of 1936 who won it all that year. Like that team of 1936, they fought back often, winning several games after posting the opposition to early leads. They were a “cocky” team who believed in themselves according to clubhouse boy, Bill (“Greek”) Topitzes who accompanied them on their road trips.

Milwaukee hung around first place the entire month of July with KC and the Saint Paul Saints giving them some competition, but not for long. By August, the streaking Brewers left their competition far behind, clinching the American Association on September 1st when they went 11 games over the pack with 10 games to go.


1951 Milwaukee Brewer Program
Team Mascot “Owgust” had the look of “Grimm” determination
(Author’s Collection)


1951 Milwaukee Brewers

(Original Team Photo – Author’s Collection)



1951 Team Roster and statistics
(courtesy – Rex Hamann – American Association Almanac )

Milwaukee had 7 of it’s starters named American Association All Stars for 1951. Catcher Al Unser, 1st Baseman George Crowe, Outfielder Jim Basso, 2nd Baseman Bill Reed, 3rd Baseman Billy Klaus and pitchers Ernie Johnson and Murray Wall.

Lloyd Larson writing for the Milwaukee Sentinel acknowledged the play of the team but gave a large amount of the credit to Charlie Grimm, stating that it takes a good manager to bring out the talent of each individual, and he did that perfectly.

The Brewers were a powerhouse and dominated the rest of the American Association in 1951, finishing the season 9 games ahead of their nearest competitor, the Saint Paul Saints.

Pitching went deep, led by Ernie Johnson who had a record of 15 wins and only 4 losses with a league leading 2.62 ERA.

Murray Wall nearly matched Ernie J’s record with a 15 – 5 win loss record.

Bert Thiel pitched in with 14 wins (including a no hitter on
August 16th.)

Bullpen ace Virgil Jester went 13-6 in 47 games with a 3.21 ERA.

Charlie Gorin had a record of 12-9 with an ERA of 4.38

They were peerless in fielding and hitting. (.981 fielding with a .286 team batting average).

Rookie of the year, George Crowe led the league in RBI’s with 119 and a batting average of .339, slugging 24 round trippers. Arguably worthy of a MVP nod too.

Al Unser was voted the league MVP and had 17 home runs and a batting average of .293.

Shortstop Buzz Clarkson batted .343

2nd baseman Bill Reed tallied .311

Outfielder Bob Thorpe netted a .299 BA

All Star – MVP Catcher Al Unser
with autograph (Author’s Collection)

Pitcher Bert Thiel on teammate Al Unser:

“Al was no young chicken, he handled our young pitching staff like an old hen watching her chicks. All of us pitchers give him credit for the year we had. We all marveled at his endurance at his age. He had some power but mostly he put the ball in play. Still had an arm to throw runners out. He was the main cog in the wheel.

Brewer Catcher Paul Burris
with autograph (Author’s Collection)

Paul Burris backed up Al Unser and usually caught the 2nd game in double headers. He was a good receiver who handled the pitchers well.


All Star – Rookie of the Year First Baseman George Crowe
with autograph (Author’s Collection)

George was a big guy at 6′ 2″ and 225lbs. He was a power hitter who had good bat control and knew the strike zone. He hit left handers well.


1st Baseman Len Pearson with his infield teammates (Program Photo Author’s Collection)

A winter ball knee injury limited Len Pearson’s play in 1951 for Milwaukee.


All Star Second Baseman Billy Reed in the dugout – Borchert Field (Author’s Collection)

Bert Thiel on teammate Billy Reed:


“It was an honor to play with Bill Reed for six years. Bill and I are both from Shawano County (Wisconsin). He was the captain of our ball club, a .300 hitter and a fine second baseman. ” …He knew each pitcher and always seemed to be in the right place to make plays.”



Shortstop James “Buster” – “Bus” – “Buzz” Clarkson ( Author’s Collection)

Charlie Gorin on teammate “Bus “Clarkson:


” I remember Clarkson on fielding a ground ball would make the throw and holler -“Do Something with it George” Bus was older and his arm was a little weak, but Crowe ( 1st ) would dig it out of the dirt. Bus made up for his arm with a strong bat”

Bert Thiel on teammate Buzz Clarkson:


“Nobody knew his age but he could swing that bat and with power.”


Shortstop Johnny Logan 1951 photo (Author’s Collection)

Johnny shared short stop duties with Clarkson. A favorite of Charlie Grimm, Johnny Logan “became great because of hard work…he was able to get the ball away quickly” and Charlie compared him to Pie Traynor. He always hustled and was appreciated for his great sense of humor. A
“gutsy” player. Johnny spent part of the season with the Boston Braves.


Shortstop Johnny Logan
Autographed Exhibit card (Author’s Collection)


1951 Shortstop Gene Mauch
with autograph (Author’s Collection)

Gene was a great utility player, able to play all infield positions. Good hands and range. He was a spray type hitter who played the game hard and did just about anything to win.
Very knowledgeable on the rule book and actually once convinced an umpire that his call was a bad one. A skill I am sure he developed further when he went on to manage at the major league level.


All Star Third Baseman Bill Klaus Photo with autograph (Author’s Collection)

A “vacuum cleaner” at 3rd base, with good arm and range. Bill was a “pesky” hitter who could hit to all fields.


Photo Infielder/ Coach – Mark Christman
with autograph (Author’s Collection)

Mark was at the end of his career with the Brewers filling in occasionally and pinch hitting. As a coach he worked closely with the young infielders.


3rd Baseman Jack Weisenburger
with autograph (Author’s Collection)

From recent correspondence with Jack Weisenburger:


“I loved playing in Milwaukee, the fans were great and I enjoyed my teammates”


All Star Center fielder Jim Basso (Author’s Collection)

Jim Basso was great team player and did well in clutch situations, hitting the long ball when the team needed it. He fielded his position well having average speed and range.


Left Fielder Benjamin Robert “Bob” Thorpe
with autograph (Author’s Collection)

Bob Thorpe was a steady player who covered the outfield well especially the short left field fence at Borchert Field. A line drive hitter with average power and a good runner who could and did steal bases for the Brewers.


Outfielder Luis “Chico” Olmo
Signed Photo (Author’s Collection)

Luis Olmo was a valuable part of the Brewer team, a fine fielder with a good arm and could hit with some power. He did the “little things” that helped his team win.


Right fielder Bob Montag
with autograph (Author’s Collection)

An outfielder with good range and arm. His long ball hitting was a natural fit for the short left and right field fences at Borchert Field. He also backed up George Crowe at 1st base which he played well.

1951 Photo Outfielder Earl Wooten, 3rd Base Ed Mathews, (w/Paul Burris) (Author’s Collection)

A young man wearing the #4 on his jersey appeared late in 1951 and blasted a grand slam home run while with the Brewers. Manager Grimm “recognized the stamp of greatness on him from the start… He had raw power and a great lefty swing”. He wasn’t with the team for long and needed some work on his fielding, but while with the Brewers he averaged .333 in the 12 regular season games he played. Becoming a bit more popular as #41 with the Milwaukee Braves, he went on to greater fame in the Major leagues, Hall of Famer Ed Mathews.


All Star Pitcher Ernie Johnson in action at Borchert Field-Courtesy of Bert Thiel
(Author’s Collection)

Ernie was not overpowering, but he was a sinker type pitcher who relied on his control. His slider was his money pitch and he was very effective with changing his speed.

In a recent correspondence with Ernie J:


“The 51 Brewers were one of the best minor league teams around. Several of the players went on to the majors. We won it all, including 2 sets of playoffs”


ERA leader Ernie Johnson Autographed Card (Author’s Collection)


All Star Pitcher Murray Wall with a great shot of Borchert ‘s “Wall”
with autograph. (Author’s Collection)

Murray Wall while not being overly fast, had good movement on all of his pitches. He was a excellent fielder at his position. A perennial winner.


“No Hit “Pitcher – Maynard “Bert” Thiel Autographed Photo (Author’s Collection)

Bert Thiel had a good fastball and a sharp curve. His change up was more of a screwball which was an effective pitch for him against left handed hitters. He had a 14-9 season with an ERA of 3.71 in 1951.

Thursday August 16, 1951 was a memorable date for Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Bert Thiel who pitched the American Association’s first no hitter of the season in the first half of a twin bill with Toledo, blanking the Mud Hens in a 7 inning game at Borchert field 5-0. (The game ran 7 innings instead of the usual 9 due to American Association rules having double header games run only 7 innings long.) It was the first no hitter at Borchert field since Dennis Gearin pitched one against Columbus on August 21, 1926. Thiel, still a resident of Wisconsin, had previously pitched another 7 inning no hit game while at Hartford in the Eastern League the previous summer.
Thiel allowed just two base runners, Bobby Mavis on a walk in the second inning. Then after retiring the next 12 batters, Russ Sullivan reached on a error by Buzz Clarkson in the 6th. Thiel contributed 2 strike outs and helped himself offensively with two singles. It was his 12th victory of the season against 8 losses.
When asked about the game Thiel said :


“Yes, I knew I had a no hitter all along. I didn’t notice any particular tenseness until the last inning, and then I could feel it from the crowd, which was cheering every pitch and even the easy outs. I was really bearing down in the seventh and wasn’t upset at all by Buzz Clarkson’s fumble of that pop fly, as he tossed him out at second. And what a relief when that third strike slipped past Don Lund’s bat for the final out”.

The ball had hardly settled in Paul Burris’ big mitt, as all of his teammates charged Thiel to congratulate him.


Bert Thiel Photo and autograph (Author’s Collection)

From recent correspondence from Bert Thiel:

“I have wonderful memories playing for Charlie Grimm…and a fine G. M. Red Smith.


Charlie Gorin Signed Photo (Author’s collection)

Charlie Gorin was a strong competitor, having a good fastball and curve and especially effective against left handed hitters. He had a good pick off move and fielded his position well.

From recent correspondence with Charlie Gorin:


“Playing in Milwaukee was my first year in professional baseball…I really enjoyed being in Milwaukee”
“As players we got along well and enjoyed our teammates.
Charlie Grimm was not a driving type individual-he believed in enjoying the game-but play hard.”
Borchert field was something to describe to my friends.

Pitcher Dick Donovan
with autograph (Author’s Collection)

Dick Donovan had a good fastball, slider and curve. When he found the plate consistently, he was a winner. He eventually did, and spent many years in the majors.

Relief Pitcher Virgil Jester with autograph (Author’s Collection)

Virgil Jester was a “Fine competitor”. He was a spot starter along with being a good closer for Milwaukee. He had an above average fastball and his slider was his best breaking pitch.

According to fellow pitcher Bert Thiel: “Just wild enough to keep hitters loose”.

From Virgil Jester:


“We had a very good triple A ball club. The fans were great, the press was great…Milwaukee was a great place to play ball”


Pitcher Emil Kush (Author’s Collection)

Virgil Jester on teammate Emil Kush:


“I received a lot of pitching help in those days from Emil Kush. He was a lot like a pitching coach on the bench.”

Bert Thiel echo’s Jester on his appreciation for Emil’s coaching abilities:


“Emil Kush kept telling me my fastball had more movement from the belt down, how right he was, more ground balls and more double plays.”


Pitcher Dick Hoover with Autograph (Author’s Collection)


Dick Hoover was usually used in the middle relief and was a spot starter.
He had great control of his pitches. He had an average fastball but a good curve and slider. Very durable and could pitch often.


Pitcher Art Fowler: Another view of “Borchert Orchert” with Red Smith in the background. Photo with Autograph. (Author’s Collection)


Another Great Panoramic view of Borchert Field –
Pitcher Don Liddle with autograph. (Author’s Collection)

Don Liddle’s pitching was limited to just 4 games for Milwaukee in 1951.

Pitcher Bob Hall Autograph (Author’s Collection)

Bob Hall pitched in 63 innings in 1951 with an ERA of 4.29


Pitcher Norman Roy Signed 3 x 5 and Signed Card (Author’s Collection)

The Boston Braves pitcher appeared in just one game for Milwaukee in 1951.


Pitcher Bob Chipman (Author’s Collection )

Bob Chipman went 1-0 giving up no runs in 7 innings in his only appearance with the Brewers.


Outfielder Les Sepkowski Signed Photo (Author’s Collection)

Les played in 7 games for the Brewers in 1951.


Outfielder Howie Moss with Autograph (Author’s Collection)

Moss hit .259 in 1951 for the Brewers in the 19 games he played in.


Outfielder Bob Jaderlund

Outfielder Bob Jaderlund hit .244 in the 37 games he played in
for Milwaukee.

Pitcher Sid Schacht (Author’s Collection)
(Courtesy Milwaukee Public Library)

Sid Won 4 and lost 1 with a 4.09 ERA in his 77 innings of work for Milwaukee in 1951.


1990 McCarthy Artwork – Borchert Field (Author’s Collection)

Finishing on top of the American Association in regular season play had the Milwaukee Brewers looking forward to the playoffs. The Shaughnesey Plan playoffs (created by and named after the International league President Frank J. Shaughnesey) were created to improve attendance in 1936. It pitted the top four teams in the American Association against each other in a 7 game playoff, virtually a 2nd season for 1st division teams. Only 3 times in the past history of the playoffs did the winner of the regular season go on to win it all. A point of contention since these playoffs were instituted. Still,
it gave everyone a 2nd chance if they were among the upper tier of teams and kept the fans coming to games, which was what these playoffs were envisioned to accomplish. But, every year, the system was challenged as to it’s merit allowing possibly the 2nd, 3rd or 4th place teams to represent a league in a playoff that was supposed to mean something. Again in 1951 there was a call to replace it with a major league style post season series.

1st place took on 3rd place finishers while the 2nd place team took on the 4th. The winners would then play for the Governor’s cup and would represent the American Association as champion and would meet the winner of the International League who held similar playoffs, in the Junior World Series.

The Brewers who handled the Blues easily enough during the season defeated Kansas City 4 game to 1 in the first round of the playoffs. Ernie Johnson, arguably the best pitcher in the AA having beat the KC team twice during the season, repeated with two victories over the Blues. His 2nd and clinching victory being an 11-3 blowout at Kansas City.

The team’s next opponent were the Saint Paul Saints who had defeated the Louisville Colonels.
The Brewers set down the Saint Paul team 4 games to 2 with a blistering 17-2 final game victory in front of the hometown crowd at Borchert field, again with Ernie Johnson on the mound who struck out 9 batters while walking only 1. Johnson won two of the 4 games in this second round, bringing his playoff total to 4 wins, half of the teams 8 victories so far. Pitcher Murray Wall pitched in with 2 playoff victories over the two series.

The Brewers would now face Walter Alston’s Montreal Royals (95-57) for the Junior World Series, Milwaukee held a statistical edge over the International League Champions, but the Royals were the early favorites. While both teams led their respective leagues in team fielding and hitting, Milwaukee’s team batting average was .286 vs. the Royals .268.
and held a 9 point edge in fielding. The Royals had the edge in speed and stolen bases for the season. The first 3 games would be played in Montreal, then move on to Milwaukee.

Game 1 was won by the Royals 6-3 as Murray Wall was shelled in the 2nd inning with 4 straight hits, leading to 4 runs. It was enough of a lead for the Royals as their pitcher Chris Van Cuyk gave up only 7 hits and struck out 6.
Relief Pitcher Tom LaSorda finished the game for him.

In Game 2, the Milwaukee Brewers rallied in the 9th inning to beat the Royals 4-3 thanks to timely hitting by Earl Wooten who singled to drive in Luis Olmo. Wooten took 2nd base when the throw went to the plate.
Gene Mauch then singled in the lead run. Left hander Dick Hoover came in to preserve the victory for Virgil Jester who replaced Ernie Johnson when Johnson gave up his 2-0 lead in the 6th and 7th.

George “Shotgun” Shuba clouted a 2 run homer in the 2nd inning and repeated the feat with another in the 11th inning to win Game 3 by the score of 5-3. The Royals now led 2 games to 1 as play moved on to the friendly surroundings of Milwaukee’s Borchert Field for the remainder of the series.

Game 4 went to the Brewers 4-2 on a 6 hitter by Dick Donovan in front of 11,595 fans. The left center field corner was roped off for the over flow crowd. Buzz Clarkson smashed a 3 run home run in the 5th inning as the Brewers evened the series at 2 games apiece. Donovan struggled with walking batters but managed to get out of trouble in the later innings.

With their ace on the mound for game 5, Milwaukee breezed to a 6-0 victory with Ernie Johnson pitching a 4 hit shutout. The Brewers were poised just one victory away from the Series title.

Game 6 was a game that if you lost faith and gave up and left early or turned off your radio, you would have missed a stunning comeback. The Milwaukee Brewers overcame an 8 run deficit to whip the Montreal Royals and win the minor league’s biggest prize, the Junior World Series. Down after two innings by the score of 10-2. They came roaring back.
It wasn’t surprising that the Brewer’s comeback occurred after an rhubarb in the 5th inning, started when Montreal’s left fielder Al Gionfriddo had to duck a high inside pitch that he thought was deliberate, thrown by Dick Hoover. Gionfriddo proceeded to drag a bunt down the first base line and when Hoover went to first he tried to spike Dick’s foot. The pushing and shoving started emptying both dugouts. After order was restored, play resumed. It sure seemed to fire up the Brewers who put on a 5 run rally in the bottom half of the inning. The Brewers went on to score again in the 6th and 7th and Montreal was finished.

The Milwaukee Brewers had their 3rd Junior World Series having won it before in 1936 and in 1947. It was the first series win for Charlie Grimm.
As he sat by his locker he said:


” This is the greatest thrill of my life”

After 34 years in baseball, he had managed 3 National League pennant winners with the Chicago Cubs and had twice led the Brewers to American Association flags, but with this series victory, he said it was his biggest thrill.

Both teams were well managed and evenly matched. Several of the games could have gone either way.
Montreal’s Manager Walter Alston said after the game:

“We were beaten by a great ball team.”


Grandstand ticket from 1951 Junior World Series

Game 4 Borchert field (Author’s Collection)


Rookie of the Year and RBI Leader George Crowe and League MVP Al Unser being presented their Junior World Series Trophies
(Author’s Collection)

Charlie Grimm’s 1951 Junior World Series Trophy
(Author’s Collection)



As can be seen when comparing Charlie Grimm’s trophy with the photo, Charlie’s has since lost the original batter which has been replaced by a cup. Also the glass crystal is absent from the clock face.



1951 Junior World Series Logo Medallion (Close up)


Charlie Grimm won 3 National League pennants with the Cubs, he set up another for Gabby Hartnett. His 1943 Brewers won the American Association pennant but his team lost in the playoffs that year. He was the set up man for Casey Stengel’s repeat in 1944 when Casey replaced him later that year. Finally, upon his return in 1951, he won it all for Milwaukee, the American Association Season Pennant, The Governor’s Cup and the Junior World Series. Charlie Grimm was deservedly named the American Association’s Manager of the Year for 1951.


1951 Manager of the Year Award (Author’s Collection)


1951 Manager of the Year Award (close up) (Author’s collection)


The wait is over as Brewer Skipper Charlie Grimm finally won the “big one” his first World Series with Milwaukee. (Author’s Collection)


CHARLIE MANAGED IN A STYLE ALL HIS OWN


” I was Jolly Cholly and I always thought that a pat on the back, an encouraging word paid off a lot more than a brilliantly executed piece of strategy” …

…” that a manager should keep his players relaxed and save the whip for the lion tamer”.


1951 Milwaukee Brewers -Courtesy of Bert Thiel
(Author’s Collection)

Front Row: Jim Basso, Billy Reed, Tommy Bloomer and Nat Nachess(batboys) Billy Klaus, Sid Schacht.

2nd Row: Honorary Coach Art McCance, Bob Montag, George Crowe, Manger Charlie Grimm, Bob Thorpe, Coach Mark Christman, Bert Thiel, Coach Joe Just.

3rd Row: Secretary Fred (Shorty) Mendelson, Dick Hoover, Emil Kush, Paul Burris, Virgil Jester, Ernie Johnson, Dick Donovan, Murray Wall, General Manger Red Smith.

Top Row: Gene Mauch Luis Olmo, Earl Wooten, Trainer Bob “Doc” Feron, Jim Clarkson, Charlie Gorin, Al Unser.

Spring Training Brochure (1952) displays the 1951 Championship Banner with Team Photo (Author’s Collection)


Coming in 2009

Vintage Brew
Volume Two

More Vintage Brew by Paul Tenpenny

by | Sep 24, 2008 | Uncategorized


Catch 22: Milwaukee Brewer Glenn Myatt
by Paul F. Tenpenny
( Tencentz@aol.com)
Copyright 2008 Tencentzports


Reprinted with permission of the Author



Spring training opened for the Milwaukee Brewers on March 9, 1922 in Caruthersville Missouri. Hoping to end their poor showings since their back to back American Association championships in 1913 & 1914, they were optimistic that the return of Harry Clark as Manager would reverse the team’s residence in the 2nd division.

As players began to arrive, the Brewers were concerned with the absence of pitcher Dennis Gearin whose holdout over salary with owner Otto Borchert wasn’t the only reason for his not showing up. Gearin had to decide whether to wear his baseball uniform in 1922 or don an apron to work at dad’s grocery store. His father’s health had been slipping and it was reported that he might have to retire from baseball to manage the family store in Providence RI.

My how times have changed!


The diminutive Lefty, Denny Gearin pictured in 1921 with teammate Bob Trentman(Author’s Collection)

Milwaukee had a hard hitting ball club in 1922, they battled within the 1st division for most of the year, and occupied 2nd place for a time until the long season became too much for the team. In August, injuries and illness to the infield ravaged the team, forcing manager Pep Clark to come off the bench and put himself back in the lineup for the first time since 1916. In spite of Harry’s best efforts as a player and manager, the team finished with a 85-83 record, an improvement, but leaving them in 5th position at season’s end.


1922 American Association Final Standings

Team W L

St. Paul Saints 107 60
Minneapolis Millers 92 75
Kansas City Blues 92 76
Indianapolis Indians 87 80
Milwaukee Brewers 85 83
Louisville Colonels 77 91
Toledo Mudhens 65 101
Columbus Senators 63 102
(Renamed Columbus Redbirds in 1931)

But that wasn’t the only story in 1922. Among the 24 players showing up at spring training that first day for Milwaukee was a young catcher named Glenn Myatt.


1922 Milwaukee Brewer Team photo
Glenn Myatt is pictured front row 2nd from left

Glenn Myatt and outfielder Paul Johnson were both part of a deal that sent Milwaukee hometown favorite “Unser Choe” (Our Joe) Hauser to Philadelphia. So 24 year old Myatt, after two years with Philadelphia, found himself on the Brewer roster with veteran catcher Dick Gossett. Between these two catchers, American Association opponents had their hands full. Gossett batted a whopping .338 for Milwaukee, but Myatt outdid him and then some with his league leading .370.

While the team may have faded in late summer, Myatt’s star shined all season long as he became the American Association’s Batting Champion.


April 30, 1922 “Myatt Homer Not Enough to Win Game”

June 19, 1922 “Myatt Clouts 2 Homers in Second”

July 31, 1922 “Bigbee blanks Enemy in Opener and is Aided by Myatt’s Heavy Hitting”

August 9, 1922 “Myatt Stars at Bat as Brewers Wallop Whitted Gang, 9 to 2”

August 25, 1922 “Myatt Continues Bat Lead in A.A. With .370 Average”


Milwaukee Journal Headlines


The “Catch 22” for Milwaukee and Glenn Myatt was that having such a great year, meant that 1922 was his only year with the Brewers. Milwaukee definitely “noticed” him, forgetting the loss of Joe Hauser. The Major League also noticed him, as he joined the Cleveland Indians in 1923.


Glenn Calvin Myatt
Bats Left, Throws Right
Height 5′ 11″, Weight 165 lb.
Born July 9, 1897 in Argenta, Arkansas
Died August 9, 1969


Myatt had a 16 year career as a catcher and sometime outfielder in the majors. Beginning in 1920 with the Philadelphia Athletics, with stops in Cleveland, New York (Giants) and finishing with the Detroit Tigers in 1937. He was shipped to the Cleveland Indians in 1923. He batted .342 as the Indians’ starting catcher in 1924, and backed up Luke Sewell for most of 1926-33. He had a lifetime batting average of .270. Myatt also played with Montreal in the International League for part of 1936 and with Houston of the Texas League in 1937.


1933 Goudey Glenn Myatt(Author’s Collection)


1935 Diamond Stars Glenn Myatt(Author’s Collection)


Autographed 3 x 5 – Glenn Myatt (Author’s Collection)


A very interesting bat is pictured here. Returned to H&B by Myatt, it shows the original Harry E. Heilmann stamping along with Glenn Myatt’s. As this bat dates no earlier than 1921-22 and exhibits heavy use, it could very well have seen use during Glenn Myatt’s league leading season of 1922. You can still see where the mailing label was attached.


1921-22 Glenn Myatt H&B 40 HH brand side written bat , Heilmann and Myatt stampings
MEARS Authentic #308345 – A9(Author’s Collection)


At some point in time, this bat would have contained side writing which would have designated the players name, size and weight and date the bat was returned. Due to 80+ years of storage, the side writing has also been lost to time. Immediately above the area of the center brand is a 3¨ x 10¨ area what has been prepared for the application at the factory of the side writing. Small amounts of pencil lettering can be seen, but the exact message is obscured. The information contained is no longer visible, but the documented practice of the application of side writing can be seen in the prepped area above the center brand which is consistent with all known documented side written H&B bat examples. Heilemann began his signature contract with Louisville Slugger in October 1920, so this bat has to be from either 1921 or 1922. This is a hand turned 40 HH (Harry Heilmann) signature model bat used and returned by Glenn Myatt. Myatt played for the Milwaukee Brewers in 1922 and led the American Association with a .370 batting average. This bat is another in the line of positively identified 40 model bats with two separate signature stamps on the barrel.


Multiple views Myatt Game used bat (Author’s Collection)

More Vintage Brew by Paul Tenpenny

by | Sep 24, 2008 | Uncategorized


Catch 22: Milwaukee Brewer Glenn Myatt
by Paul F. Tenpenny
( Tencentz@aol.com)
Copyright 2008 Tencentzports


Reprinted with permission of the Author



Spring training opened for the Milwaukee Brewers on March 9, 1922 in Caruthersville Missouri. Hoping to end their poor showings since their back to back American Association championships in 1913 & 1914, they were optimistic that the return of Harry Clark as Manager would reverse the team’s residence in the 2nd division.

As players began to arrive, the Brewers were concerned with the absence of pitcher Dennis Gearin whose holdout over salary with owner Otto Borchert wasn’t the only reason for his not showing up. Gearin had to decide whether to wear his baseball uniform in 1922 or don an apron to work at dad’s grocery store. His father’s health had been slipping and it was reported that he might have to retire from baseball to manage the family store in Providence RI.

My how times have changed!


The diminutive Lefty, Denny Gearin pictured in 1921 with teammate Bob Trentman(Author’s Collection)

Milwaukee had a hard hitting ball club in 1922, they battled within the 1st division for most of the year, and occupied 2nd place for a time until the long season became too much for the team. In August, injuries and illness to the infield ravaged the team, forcing manager Pep Clark to come off the bench and put himself back in the lineup for the first time since 1916. In spite of Harry’s best efforts as a player and manager, the team finished with a 85-83 record, an improvement, but leaving them in 5th position at season’s end.


1922 American Association Final Standings

Team W L

St. Paul Saints 107 60
Minneapolis Millers 92 75
Kansas City Blues 92 76
Indianapolis Indians 87 80
Milwaukee Brewers 85 83
Louisville Colonels 77 91
Toledo Mudhens 65 101
Columbus Senators 63 102
(Renamed Columbus Redbirds in 1931)

But that wasn’t the only story in 1922. Among the 24 players showing up at spring training that first day for Milwaukee was a young catcher named Glenn Myatt.


1922 Milwaukee Brewer Team photo
Glenn Myatt is pictured front row 2nd from left

Glenn Myatt and outfielder Paul Johnson were both part of a deal that sent Milwaukee hometown favorite “Unser Choe” (Our Joe) Hauser to Philadelphia. So 24 year old Myatt, after two years with Philadelphia, found himself on the Brewer roster with veteran catcher Dick Gossett. Between these two catchers, American Association opponents had their hands full. Gossett batted a whopping .338 for Milwaukee, but Myatt outdid him and then some with his league leading .370.

While the team may have faded in late summer, Myatt’s star shined all season long as he became the American Association’s Batting Champion.


April 30, 1922 “Myatt Homer Not Enough to Win Game”

June 19, 1922 “Myatt Clouts 2 Homers in Second”

July 31, 1922 “Bigbee blanks Enemy in Opener and is Aided by Myatt’s Heavy Hitting”

August 9, 1922 “Myatt Stars at Bat as Brewers Wallop Whitted Gang, 9 to 2”

August 25, 1922 “Myatt Continues Bat Lead in A.A. With .370 Average”


Milwaukee Journal Headlines


The “Catch 22” for Milwaukee and Glenn Myatt was that having such a great year, meant that 1922 was his only year with the Brewers. Milwaukee definitely “noticed” him, forgetting the loss of Joe Hauser. The Major League also noticed him, as he joined the Cleveland Indians in 1923.


Glenn Calvin Myatt
Bats Left, Throws Right
Height 5′ 11″, Weight 165 lb.
Born July 9, 1897 in Argenta, Arkansas
Died August 9, 1969


Myatt had a 16 year career as a catcher and sometime outfielder in the majors. Beginning in 1920 with the Philadelphia Athletics, with stops in Cleveland, New York (Giants) and finishing with the Detroit Tigers in 1937. He was shipped to the Cleveland Indians in 1923. He batted .342 as the Indians’ starting catcher in 1924, and backed up Luke Sewell for most of 1926-33. He had a lifetime batting average of .270. Myatt also played with Montreal in the International League for part of 1936 and with Houston of the Texas League in 1937.


1933 Goudey Glenn Myatt(Author’s Collection)


1935 Diamond Stars Glenn Myatt(Author’s Collection)


Autographed 3 x 5 – Glenn Myatt (Author’s Collection)


A very interesting bat is pictured here. Returned to H&B by Myatt, it shows the original Harry E. Heilmann stamping along with Glenn Myatt’s. As this bat dates no earlier than 1921-22 and exhibits heavy use, it could very well have seen use during Glenn Myatt’s league leading season of 1922. You can still see where the mailing label was attached.


1921-22 Glenn Myatt H&B 40 HH brand side written bat , Heilmann and Myatt stampings
MEARS Authentic #308345 – A9(Author’s Collection)


At some point in time, this bat would have contained side writing which would have designated the players name, size and weight and date the bat was returned. Due to 80+ years of storage, the side writing has also been lost to time. Immediately above the area of the center brand is a 3¨ x 10¨ area what has been prepared for the application at the factory of the side writing. Small amounts of pencil lettering can be seen, but the exact message is obscured. The information contained is no longer visible, but the documented practice of the application of side writing can be seen in the prepped area above the center brand which is consistent with all known documented side written H&B bat examples. Heilemann began his signature contract with Louisville Slugger in October 1920, so this bat has to be from either 1921 or 1922. This is a hand turned 40 HH (Harry Heilmann) signature model bat used and returned by Glenn Myatt. Myatt played for the Milwaukee Brewers in 1922 and led the American Association with a .370 batting average. This bat is another in the line of positively identified 40 model bats with two separate signature stamps on the barrel.


Multiple views Myatt Game used bat (Author’s Collection)

More Vintage Brew by Paul Tenpenny

by | Jul 17, 2008 | Uncategorized


American Association Milwaukee Brewers

Research: “First Light”
by Paul F. Tenpenny


(Tencentz@aol.com)
Copyright 2008 Tencentzports





Reprinted with permission of the Author

This past April, a fixture at local Milwaukee, Regional and National sports collectibles shows, Bob Koehler passed away. He had many friends in the hobby, all of whom have been sharing their fond memories of Bob along with tributes to him written in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Sports Collectors Digest and American Association Almanac.

I would like to add my voice to that group sharing their experiences about Bob Koehler.
I first met him in the 1980s, he was a source for Milwaukee Braves and Milwaukee Brewer items that I collected and was always a friendly and knowledgeable dealer, ever ready to help you find something or to share information.

When my interest shifted to the “Borchert” Brewers about 5 years ago, there was nobody in Milwaukee who knew more than him. Nothing, and I do mean nothing, existed in book form until recently. Anybody attempting research in this area of Milwaukee history was pretty much in the dark when approaching the subject. Bob provided the “first light” for me in a very dark area of research. True research goes where no one else has gone before. Bob’s work compiling team rosters and his photos are some of the various signs posts I have used extensively to try to guide my way doing research. Even now as I hit the microfilm machines and spend the long hours needed to do the job right at the Milwaukee Public Library and elsewhere, his footprints are all around me. Bob and others actually xeroxed newspaper clippings and put them into book form to make it easier for interested parties to read about baseball in the 1940s.

Thanks Bob. I will not forget you or your help and encouragement.

In closing, many times people ask why? What is it about collecting that causes you to devote so much time and resources on something from so long ago? “Aren’t you living in the past?”
I know Bob was asked why he gave up teaching to pursue his passion for baseball history. A pretty risky change of life for sure. But it worked out well for him and he did what he loved.

The answer to that question is NO. Neither Bob nor I live in the past, but we refuse to forget the past.
The past still has value for us today. Baseball is not life but it is representative of the quality of our lives. We are not that different from those people who flocked to Borchert field with family and friends. If not baseball, something else gives us joy, direction and focus.
Something in our past always drives us to our future. Our connection with those times, a fondness or nostalgia for the experiences of our youth always have a bearing on where we take our life.

I have great memories of baseball, going with my dad to see Hank Aaron, Ed Matthews and Spahnie at Milwaukee County stadium. I only wish I still had my favorite T shirt. I have been looking for one like it for 30 years now.


Clutching his McDonalds burgers, A 10 year old baseball fan proudly wears his Milwaukee Braves T shirt while his sister, Mare, upon seeing this photograph will never forgive him for including it in this article. Cute curlers sis. (Author’s much loved family & photo – Summer of 1963)




The last time I talked with Bob was in 2007 at the Milwaukee Public Library where he and Bill Topitzes were giving a short talk on the American Association Brewers. While telling the group attending about the Brewers, players and Borchert Field, he shared with us his family photos which included a shot of him in his “Brewer” T shirt.

Borchert Field Bob Koehler (Summer of 1952)

What blew me away was that Bob still had his T shirt pictured in that photo. WoW!!! The only one I have ever seen. It made an immediate connection with me as I know how much my Brave T shirt meant to me since mine was lost to the rag bag so long ago. My last words to Bob that day were, if he ever got rid of it…etc.(which I doubted he ever would) at least to make sure it and the photo ends up in a local Museum where others can appreciate it.
It surely belongs there and I believe this “T” and it’s memory was an important part of why Bob loved baseball and it guided his life’s work. It was the “torch” that lit the path of his life.

I am happy to say that Thanks to Pam Koehler, I now can share this rare piece with readers.
And Bob, I promise, this one will always be accessible to anyone who wants to see it.


Pam thank you for passing his “Torch” on to me. I will treasure it for the rest of my life.

More Vintage Brew by Paul Tenpenny

by | Jul 17, 2008 | Uncategorized


American Association Milwaukee Brewers

Research: “First Light”
by Paul F. Tenpenny


(Tencentz@aol.com)
Copyright 2008 Tencentzports





Reprinted with permission of the Author

This past April, a fixture at local Milwaukee, Regional and National sports collectibles shows, Bob Koehler passed away. He had many friends in the hobby, all of whom have been sharing their fond memories of Bob along with tributes to him written in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Sports Collectors Digest and American Association Almanac.

I would like to add my voice to that group sharing their experiences about Bob Koehler.
I first met him in the 1980s, he was a source for Milwaukee Braves and Milwaukee Brewer items that I collected and was always a friendly and knowledgeable dealer, ever ready to help you find something or to share information.

When my interest shifted to the “Borchert” Brewers about 5 years ago, there was nobody in Milwaukee who knew more than him. Nothing, and I do mean nothing, existed in book form until recently. Anybody attempting research in this area of Milwaukee history was pretty much in the dark when approaching the subject. Bob provided the “first light” for me in a very dark area of research. True research goes where no one else has gone before. Bob’s work compiling team rosters and his photos are some of the various signs posts I have used extensively to try to guide my way doing research. Even now as I hit the microfilm machines and spend the long hours needed to do the job right at the Milwaukee Public Library and elsewhere, his footprints are all around me. Bob and others actually xeroxed newspaper clippings and put them into book form to make it easier for interested parties to read about baseball in the 1940s.

Thanks Bob. I will not forget you or your help and encouragement.

In closing, many times people ask why? What is it about collecting that causes you to devote so much time and resources on something from so long ago? “Aren’t you living in the past?”
I know Bob was asked why he gave up teaching to pursue his passion for baseball history. A pretty risky change of life for sure. But it worked out well for him and he did what he loved.

The answer to that question is NO. Neither Bob nor I live in the past, but we refuse to forget the past.
The past still has value for us today. Baseball is not life but it is representative of the quality of our lives. We are not that different from those people who flocked to Borchert field with family and friends. If not baseball, something else gives us joy, direction and focus.
Something in our past always drives us to our future. Our connection with those times, a fondness or nostalgia for the experiences of our youth always have a bearing on where we take our life.

I have great memories of baseball, going with my dad to see Hank Aaron, Ed Matthews and Spahnie at Milwaukee County stadium. I only wish I still had my favorite T shirt. I have been looking for one like it for 30 years now.


Clutching his McDonalds burgers, A 10 year old baseball fan proudly wears his Milwaukee Braves T shirt while his sister, Mare, upon seeing this photograph will never forgive him for including it in this article. Cute curlers sis. (Author’s much loved family & photo – Summer of 1963)




The last time I talked with Bob was in 2007 at the Milwaukee Public Library where he and Bill Topitzes were giving a short talk on the American Association Brewers. While telling the group attending about the Brewers, players and Borchert Field, he shared with us his family photos which included a shot of him in his “Brewer” T shirt.

Borchert Field Bob Koehler (Summer of 1952)

What blew me away was that Bob still had his T shirt pictured in that photo. WoW!!! The only one I have ever seen. It made an immediate connection with me as I know how much my Brave T shirt meant to me since mine was lost to the rag bag so long ago. My last words to Bob that day were, if he ever got rid of it…etc.(which I doubted he ever would) at least to make sure it and the photo ends up in a local Museum where others can appreciate it.
It surely belongs there and I believe this “T” and it’s memory was an important part of why Bob loved baseball and it guided his life’s work. It was the “torch” that lit the path of his life.

I am happy to say that Thanks to Pam Koehler, I now can share this rare piece with readers.
And Bob, I promise, this one will always be accessible to anyone who wants to see it.


Pam thank you for passing his “Torch” on to me. I will treasure it for the rest of my life.

More Vintage Brew by Paul Tenpenny

by | Jun 22, 2008 | Uncategorized

American Association Milwaukee Brewers
Baseball Cards: Part 1
(1909-1911)
T-201 & T-206
by Paul F. Tenpenny


(Tencentz@aol.com)

Copyright 2008 Tencentzports

Reprinted with permission of the Author

Believe it or not, Vintage Milwaukee Brewers do show up from time to time on baseball cards.
The earliest I have seen are the Old Judge cards from the late 1800’s.
A bit too early for this series.

For our American Association Brewers, I have found 5 from the early years.

Continuing in the tradition of the above mentioned 19th Century tobacco cards like the N 172 Old Judge cards (*Designated N cards for Nineteenth century), Twentieth Century tobacco companies also included some minor league players in their popular card series. (*T Cards for Twentieth century)

*Jefferson Burdick was a pioneer in card collecting and classified his collection into a logical format using letter and number designations, for sorting titles and series by type, etc. His American Card Catalog designations are still being referred to today in the hobby.


Milwaukee Athletic Park – circa 1909
(Photo from Author’s collection, courtesy Milwaukee Public Museum)

” Stoney ”

McGlynn.

Jimmy Barrett played outfield with the Brewers from (1909-1911) and also served as their manager in 1911.
In 1909 Barrett played both outfield and shortstop compiling a batting average of .239 that year. (76 games)
In 1910 while playing the outfield, Barrett raised his batting average to .353.
(51 games)
1911 finds the player / manager doing duty in the outfield again with a B.A. of .224 (79 games).

Stoney McGlynn (1909-1912) led the Milwaukee Brewers to a 2nd place finish in 1909 with a record of 27 wins that year. He went on to win 16 games in 1910 and won 22 in 1911. Not a bad 3 year stretch!

Moving on to the T-206 series we find 4 cards depicting Milwaukee Brewer players. (Issued 1909-1911 )

This T 206 Piedmont card depicts Jack “Shad” Barry who was with the Brewers for 2 years. (1909-1910)
In 1909 outfielder Barry compiled a .236 batting average in 150 games.
In 1910, Barry split duties in the outfield and at first base batting .252 in 130 games.

Here is a scarcer issue “Polar Bear” T 206 of Dan McGann (1909-1910)
Dan played first base for the Brewers. In 1909 he hit .245 in 160 games.
1910 finds this first sacker in 151 games slipping to a .225 batting average.

This Sovereign T 206 is an appropriate “throne” for a repeat appearance as
Stoney McGlynn was definitely royalty with Milwaukee. While only playing for 4 years, he was a superb pitcher compiling 65 victories in 4 years. (1909-1912)

Another scarce Polar Bear card, A T206 of Newt Randall. (1908-1915)
He was an outfielder for the Brews and played on both of the championship teams in 1913 and 1914.
1908 Randall batted .253 in 121 games.
In 1909, he improved to a .279 batting average. (167 games)
1910 was almost a repeat of his last year as he hit .271 in 146 appearances.
1911 Newt jumped on the ball for a whopping .298 average in 148 matches.
161 appearances in 1912 tallied him a .290 B.A.
His .288 average in 140 games helped his team to the Brewers first American Association crown in 1913 and for the “repeat” in 14, he smoked the opposing pitchers with his best ever, .321 average in 168 games.
Newt Randall’s final season 144 appearances gave him a .278 average.

At first glance these cards may seem to be a bit cartoon-ish, due in part to their coloration but when you compare the T 206 series with an actual photograph, they were actually quite accurate pictures of the players.


The 1909 Milwaukee Brewers – Author’s collection, courtesy Milwaukee Public Library

Top Row: Shad Barry 2nd from left with Dan McGann far right.
Middle Row: Newt Randall is seated on the left.
Bottom Row: Stoney McGlynn is seated on the left.

More Vintage Brew by Paul Tenpenny

by | Jun 22, 2008 | Uncategorized

American Association Milwaukee Brewers
Baseball Cards: Part 1
(1909-1911)
T-201 & T-206
by Paul F. Tenpenny


(Tencentz@aol.com)

Copyright 2008 Tencentzports

Reprinted with permission of the Author

Believe it or not, Vintage Milwaukee Brewers do show up from time to time on baseball cards.
The earliest I have seen are the Old Judge cards from the late 1800’s.
A bit too early for this series.

For our American Association Brewers, I have found 5 from the early years.

Continuing in the tradition of the above mentioned 19th Century tobacco cards like the N 172 Old Judge cards (*Designated N cards for Nineteenth century), Twentieth Century tobacco companies also included some minor league players in their popular card series. (*T Cards for Twentieth century)

*Jefferson Burdick was a pioneer in card collecting and classified his collection into a logical format using letter and number designations, for sorting titles and series by type, etc. His American Card Catalog designations are still being referred to today in the hobby.


Milwaukee Athletic Park – circa 1909
(Photo from Author’s collection, courtesy Milwaukee Public Museum)

” Stoney ”

McGlynn.

Jimmy Barrett played outfield with the Brewers from (1909-1911) and also served as their manager in 1911.
In 1909 Barrett played both outfield and shortstop compiling a batting average of .239 that year. (76 games)
In 1910 while playing the outfield, Barrett raised his batting average to .353.
(51 games)
1911 finds the player / manager doing duty in the outfield again with a B.A. of .224 (79 games).

Stoney McGlynn (1909-1912) led the Milwaukee Brewers to a 2nd place finish in 1909 with a record of 27 wins that year. He went on to win 16 games in 1910 and won 22 in 1911. Not a bad 3 year stretch!

Moving on to the T-206 series we find 4 cards depicting Milwaukee Brewer players. (Issued 1909-1911 )

This T 206 Piedmont card depicts Jack “Shad” Barry who was with the Brewers for 2 years. (1909-1910)
In 1909 outfielder Barry compiled a .236 batting average in 150 games.
In 1910, Barry split duties in the outfield and at first base batting .252 in 130 games.

Here is a scarcer issue “Polar Bear” T 206 of Dan McGann (1909-1910)
Dan played first base for the Brewers. In 1909 he hit .245 in 160 games.
1910 finds this first sacker in 151 games slipping to a .225 batting average.

This Sovereign T 206 is an appropriate “throne” for a repeat appearance as
Stoney McGlynn was definitely royalty with Milwaukee. While only playing for 4 years, he was a superb pitcher compiling 65 victories in 4 years. (1909-1912)

Another scarce Polar Bear card, A T206 of Newt Randall. (1908-1915)
He was an outfielder for the Brews and played on both of the championship teams in 1913 and 1914.
1908 Randall batted .253 in 121 games.
In 1909, he improved to a .279 batting average. (167 games)
1910 was almost a repeat of his last year as he hit .271 in 146 appearances.
1911 Newt jumped on the ball for a whopping .298 average in 148 matches.
161 appearances in 1912 tallied him a .290 B.A.
His .288 average in 140 games helped his team to the Brewers first American Association crown in 1913 and for the “repeat” in 14, he smoked the opposing pitchers with his best ever, .321 average in 168 games.
Newt Randall’s final season 144 appearances gave him a .278 average.

At first glance these cards may seem to be a bit cartoon-ish, due in part to their coloration but when you compare the T 206 series with an actual photograph, they were actually quite accurate pictures of the players.


The 1909 Milwaukee Brewers – Author’s collection, courtesy Milwaukee Public Library

Top Row: Shad Barry 2nd from left with Dan McGann far right.
Middle Row: Newt Randall is seated on the left.
Bottom Row: Stoney McGlynn is seated on the left.

More Vintage Brew by Paul Tenpenny

by | Apr 18, 2008 | Uncategorized



“Leapin Lena’s & Lefty’s” Legacy




The 1934 Milwaukee Brewers Road Uniform

by Paul F. Tenpenny

(tencentz@aol.com)

Copyright 2008 Tencentzports


Reprinted with permission of the Author

Last summer, a friend of mine tipped me off to a Milwaukee Brewer uniform becoming available. I was excited to hunt down another piece of local history and fortunately, was able to bring it back home.
I am pleased to share it’s story with MEARS readers in this, Chapter 3 of Vintage Brew.

Upon learning of this uniform, I was intrigued as I was with my 1950 jersey (see MEARS Archived News February 19 2008 )and wanted to find out more about the player who wore this uniform, the battle dress of the American Association Brewers.

The uniform offered included a jersey, pants and 2 pairs of socks. According to the sellers, they dated the uniform as late 1930’s to early 1940’s. They suspected one of the pairs of socks were part of the uniform but the other probably wasn’t. The pants were in great shape but the jersey had some damage to the front and back area.
The pants had the name of “Fieber” sewn on them and the jersey had the name “Stiles” sewn on it.
So right off the bat, instead of one, I had two players to investigate with this uniform.

Rolland Mays Stiles (nicknames: Rollie and *Leapin’ Lena) was with the Brewers during the early 1930s. No other player named Stiles played with the team.
He was a pitcher and was born in Ratcliff Arkansas on November 17th, 1907.

*According to Paul Richards, an opposing team’s player:
“When Rollie leapt to catch a batted ball, Richards exclaimed ‘Leapin’ Lena!” And the name stuck.” – Columnist Joan M. Thomas in Senior Circuit (Vol. 18 Issue 8 November 2004)Baseball Almanac

Rollie batted and threw right handed, standing 6′ 3″ and in 1935, with the Kansas City Blues, he weighed 185 lbs. (American Association on Parade 1935 edition) He played with the Milwaukee Brewers twice, first in 1932, and again in 1934. He had a brief career in the majors, pitching for the St. Louis Browns in 1930, 1931 and 1933. Rollie Stiles passed away in 2007.


Rollie Stiles 1934 “Milwaukee” Road Jersey


Close up of Stiles name plate


Stiles 1934 Road Jersey Reverse

Clarence Fieber played with the Milwaukee Brewers during the early 1930s, and he too, was the only person with the name of Fieber having played on the team.

Clarence Thomas Fieber (nickname: Lefty), also a pitcher, was born September 4, 1913 in San Francisco California. He was 6’4″ and weighed 187 lbs. Unlike Stiles, he was a southpaw, batting and throwing from the port side. “Lefty” was with the Brewers in 1934 and had a brief career with the Chicago White Sox in 1932 and 1933.
Clarence Fieber passed away in 1985.


1934 Road Pants belonging to Clarence “Lefty” Fieber


Close up of Fieber name plate and tags


1934 Uniform Socks (color matches with 1934 home uniforms and with road uniform shown in spring of 1935 photograph)

With this photo documentation, I am placing the dating of the uniform to 1934 which coincides with the year that both players were on the team.

1935 Spring Training Publicity Photo showing Milwaukee Brewers sporting the “Milwaukee” road uniform. (from author’s collection)


This photo is important because it not only confirms dating this jersey as “pre” 1935, it also provides a match for the socks and pants as well.
*Note the red patches showing in belt area, matching Fieber’s pants and the distinctive striping on socks.


For the curious, this whimsical photo shows 3 Brewers, Ernie Wingard, Tot Pressnell and Lou Polli seeking words of wisdom from a seer on how 1935 Season will unfold…

1934 Color Team photo showing Rollie Stiles (top row far left) in the Home “M” uniform. Please note the socks in this photo (from author’s collection)


Rolland M. Stiles autographed 3 x 5 from author’s collection


1935 American Association on Parade Bio and “Rollie” autographed 3 x 5.
(author’s collection)


Clarence “Lefty” Fieber postcard and autograph (from the author’s collection)

Both players came to Hot Springs Arkansas for spring training in March 1934 with high hopes for the upcoming season. Lena Stiles, recently obtained from the St. Louis Browns was looked upon as a hopeful regular in the rotation.
Clarence Fieber, a young southpaw obtained from the Chicago White Sox, arrived in good physical shape but was a bit “wild” in his first appearance and needed a lot of work according to Red Thisted of the Milwaukee Sentinel.
Fieber’s time with the Brewers was brief, in 1934 he had a winning record of 2-0 in 13 innings of work, but with a hefty ERA of 9.0.
Stiles had a longer tenure with 209 innings, compiling a record of 10 wins and 12 losses and an ERA of 4.52.

The Brewers finished the 1934 season in 3rd place with a record of 82-70.

Upon further investigation, I learned that this uniform came from the estate of former Milwaukee Brewer General Manager Harry Dalton. I am especially pleased that Mr. Dalton put aside this uniform for posterity and it is a fantastic historical legacy from the former Brewer GM, who transformed the modern day Brewers in the late 1970’s and early 1980s. He was the architect who gave us Bambi’s Bombers and then Harvey’s Wallbangers, culminating in the 1982 American League Championship.

If you want to learn more about the Milwaukee Brewers and the American Association I recommend the following:

The American Association Milwaukee Brewers by Rex Hamann and Bob Koehler

Also of interest is Rex Hamann’s American Association Almanac
(http://www.americanassociationalmanac.com)

The Minor League Milwaukee Brewers 1859-1952 by Brian A. Podoll

More Vintage Brew by Paul Tenpenny

by | Apr 18, 2008 | Uncategorized



“Leapin Lena’s & Lefty’s” Legacy




The 1934 Milwaukee Brewers Road Uniform

by Paul F. Tenpenny

(tencentz@aol.com)

Copyright 2008 Tencentzports


Reprinted with permission of the Author

Last summer, a friend of mine tipped me off to a Milwaukee Brewer uniform becoming available. I was excited to hunt down another piece of local history and fortunately, was able to bring it back home.
I am pleased to share it’s story with MEARS readers in this, Chapter 3 of Vintage Brew.

Upon learning of this uniform, I was intrigued as I was with my 1950 jersey (see MEARS Archived News February 19 2008 )and wanted to find out more about the player who wore this uniform, the battle dress of the American Association Brewers.

The uniform offered included a jersey, pants and 2 pairs of socks. According to the sellers, they dated the uniform as late 1930’s to early 1940’s. They suspected one of the pairs of socks were part of the uniform but the other probably wasn’t. The pants were in great shape but the jersey had some damage to the front and back area.
The pants had the name of “Fieber” sewn on them and the jersey had the name “Stiles” sewn on it.
So right off the bat, instead of one, I had two players to investigate with this uniform.

Rolland Mays Stiles (nicknames: Rollie and *Leapin’ Lena) was with the Brewers during the early 1930s. No other player named Stiles played with the team.
He was a pitcher and was born in Ratcliff Arkansas on November 17th, 1907.

*According to Paul Richards, an opposing team’s player:
“When Rollie leapt to catch a batted ball, Richards exclaimed ‘Leapin’ Lena!” And the name stuck.” – Columnist Joan M. Thomas in Senior Circuit (Vol. 18 Issue 8 November 2004)Baseball Almanac

Rollie batted and threw right handed, standing 6′ 3″ and in 1935, with the Kansas City Blues, he weighed 185 lbs. (American Association on Parade 1935 edition) He played with the Milwaukee Brewers twice, first in 1932, and again in 1934. He had a brief career in the majors, pitching for the St. Louis Browns in 1930, 1931 and 1933. Rollie Stiles passed away in 2007.


Rollie Stiles 1934 “Milwaukee” Road Jersey


Close up of Stiles name plate


Stiles 1934 Road Jersey Reverse

Clarence Fieber played with the Milwaukee Brewers during the early 1930s, and he too, was the only person with the name of Fieber having played on the team.

Clarence Thomas Fieber (nickname: Lefty), also a pitcher, was born September 4, 1913 in San Francisco California. He was 6’4″ and weighed 187 lbs. Unlike Stiles, he was a southpaw, batting and throwing from the port side. “Lefty” was with the Brewers in 1934 and had a brief career with the Chicago White Sox in 1932 and 1933.
Clarence Fieber passed away in 1985.


1934 Road Pants belonging to Clarence “Lefty” Fieber


Close up of Fieber name plate and tags


1934 Uniform Socks (color matches with 1934 home uniforms and with road uniform shown in spring of 1935 photograph)

With this photo documentation, I am placing the dating of the uniform to 1934 which coincides with the year that both players were on the team.

1935 Spring Training Publicity Photo showing Milwaukee Brewers sporting the “Milwaukee” road uniform. (from author’s collection)


This photo is important because it not only confirms dating this jersey as “pre” 1935, it also provides a match for the socks and pants as well.
*Note the red patches showing in belt area, matching Fieber’s pants and the distinctive striping on socks.


For the curious, this whimsical photo shows 3 Brewers, Ernie Wingard, Tot Pressnell and Lou Polli seeking words of wisdom from a seer on how 1935 Season will unfold…

1934 Color Team photo showing Rollie Stiles (top row far left) in the Home “M” uniform. Please note the socks in this photo (from author’s collection)


Rolland M. Stiles autographed 3 x 5 from author’s collection


1935 American Association on Parade Bio and “Rollie” autographed 3 x 5.
(author’s collection)


Clarence “Lefty” Fieber postcard and autograph (from the author’s collection)

Both players came to Hot Springs Arkansas for spring training in March 1934 with high hopes for the upcoming season. Lena Stiles, recently obtained from the St. Louis Browns was looked upon as a hopeful regular in the rotation.
Clarence Fieber, a young southpaw obtained from the Chicago White Sox, arrived in good physical shape but was a bit “wild” in his first appearance and needed a lot of work according to Red Thisted of the Milwaukee Sentinel.
Fieber’s time with the Brewers was brief, in 1934 he had a winning record of 2-0 in 13 innings of work, but with a hefty ERA of 9.0.
Stiles had a longer tenure with 209 innings, compiling a record of 10 wins and 12 losses and an ERA of 4.52.

The Brewers finished the 1934 season in 3rd place with a record of 82-70.

Upon further investigation, I learned that this uniform came from the estate of former Milwaukee Brewer General Manager Harry Dalton. I am especially pleased that Mr. Dalton put aside this uniform for posterity and it is a fantastic historical legacy from the former Brewer GM, who transformed the modern day Brewers in the late 1970’s and early 1980s. He was the architect who gave us Bambi’s Bombers and then Harvey’s Wallbangers, culminating in the 1982 American League Championship.

If you want to learn more about the Milwaukee Brewers and the American Association I recommend the following:

The American Association Milwaukee Brewers by Rex Hamann and Bob Koehler

Also of interest is Rex Hamann’s American Association Almanac
(http://www.americanassociationalmanac.com)

The Minor League Milwaukee Brewers 1859-1952 by Brian A. Podoll

More Vintage Brew by Paul Tenpenny

by | Feb 19, 2008 | Uncategorized

(tencentz@aol.com)

Copyright 2008 Tencentzports


Reprinted with permission of the Author

“Sunday May 14, 1950” Revisited



Jack Weisenburger’s career in baseball was a brief one. He never made it to the bigs, but he did play for the American Association Milwaukee Brewers from 1949-1951.



In 1950, while playing for the Milwaukee Brewers, Jack wore uniform #14, significant to me, as this jersey is part of my personal collection.
Having acquired it, I was of course, curious to learn more about the young man who wore it, and at the very least, get the spelling of his name right.

1950 Program photo of Jack “Weissenburger”


According to the 1950 edition of Who’s Who in the American Association, his biography stated:

John Edward Weisenburger-Infielder
Born at Muskegon, Mich., Aug. 2, 1927. Height, 6 feet, 1 inch; weight, 180 pounds. Bats, right; throws, right-handed. Nickname, “Jack.” Married, Feb. 11, 1950, to Sally Carnahan of Mt. Pleasant, Mich. Nationality, German-English descent. Was all-around athlete at Muskegon Heights High School and played four seasons of football and baseball at University of Michigan. Graduate of University of Michigan, 1948. Teaches and coaches at Muskegon during the off season. Signed to first professional contract with Pawtucket, R. I., Club of New England League by Marty Purtell, Boston Braves Scout, in 1948. Hobby, all athletics. Calls football favorite spectator sport. Home address, 1206 West Berg Road, Muskegon Michigan.

Autographed Michigan University card (author’s collection)

Autographed Michigan University 1947 National Champion’s card (author’s collection)

1950 Milwaukee Brewers Scorecard

1950 Scorecard, “WEISS’BGR” 3b #14

I recently came upon a batch of original, albeit yellowed copies of Milwaukee Journal newspapers from the 1950’s. One of them included an article that the Milwaukee Journal’s Sports reporter, Sam Levy did, having interviewed Jack for his “On the First Bounce” column. An insightful article, in that you actually hear directly from a player about his experiences.


Jack was only with the team for 3 seasons, but this colorful interview transforms a small blue and white image from an old score card into a real snapshot of his life as a member of the American Association Milwaukee Brewers.

On The First Bounce by Sam Levy


Stage Fright Ends


Columbus Ohio-The train carrying the Brewers was streaking along at a high speed. Most of the boys were playing cards. Sitting alone and reading was Jack Weisenburger, former Michigan Fullback. “Are you over your stage fright?” The reporter asked Weisenburger. “I guess so,” he answered with a smile, “I don’t feel nervous any more at bat or in the field. A few base hits can give you some confidence. And I feel at ease at 3rd base. I don’t care where I play, but I don’t like to be shifted around. Ever since I got into pro ball, I’ve shuttled between second, short or third, with an occasional start in the outfield. When I was in college I used to tell my coach, Ray Fisher, that I preferred the outfield. He used me in the infield. I guess he knew best. Fisher is a great coach. He’s a former big league pitcher; with the Cincy Reds when they won the pennant in 1919.”


A few years ago, while a junior at Michigan, Weisenburger played summer ball in the Northern league, a semipro circuit in Vermont under Fisher’s management.
“I played under the name of Burger” said Weisenburger, his face beaming. I didn’t fool anyone though. Everywhere I played people asked, ‘when are you going back to play football at Michigan?’
I didn’t know what they meant. Did I get paid? Well I got expenses, I guess. A fellow has to eat, you know.”


Faced Robin Roberts

The best pitcher he ever faced in his college days, said Weisenburger, was Robin Roberts, currently rated one of the top hurlers in the National League. Roberts who received a $26,000 bonus to sign with the Philly Nationals
attended Michigan State while Weisenburger was at Michigan.
“Every time he got the chance, Roberts used to spend as much time as he could with Fisher. “ Weisenburger explained. Fisher liked Roberts as much as any of his own players and told him quite a lot about pitching. And in the spring, Roberts would beat us without any trouble. Recently I read a magazine story in which Roberts gave Fisher credit for his success as a big league pitcher.”

A Lot of Injuries

Three years of college football were less harmful to Weisenburger than his first two seasons in baseball he declared. Last year he missed 50 games with the Denver Western league club because of injuries. In June, 1949, he suffered a fractured ankle and was out for a month. Two weeks after he got back into the line-up he was hit by a pitch and his right thumb was fractured. “I was never hurt much in high school and college football,” added Weisenburger. “Now I would like to get a full season in at 3rd base with Milwaukee.”


1950 Jack Weisenburger Brewer Jersey
(front view)

The 1950 Jack Weisenburger Brewer Jersey
(back view)

Jack Weisenburger and his 1951 Milwaukee Brewer Teammates (3rd from right)

More Vintage Brew by Paul Tenpenny

by | Feb 19, 2008 | Uncategorized

(tencentz@aol.com)

Copyright 2008 Tencentzports


Reprinted with permission of the Author

“Sunday May 14, 1950” Revisited



Jack Weisenburger’s career in baseball was a brief one. He never made it to the bigs, but he did play for the American Association Milwaukee Brewers from 1949-1951.



In 1950, while playing for the Milwaukee Brewers, Jack wore uniform #14, significant to me, as this jersey is part of my personal collection.
Having acquired it, I was of course, curious to learn more about the young man who wore it, and at the very least, get the spelling of his name right.

1950 Program photo of Jack “Weissenburger”


According to the 1950 edition of Who’s Who in the American Association, his biography stated:

John Edward Weisenburger-Infielder
Born at Muskegon, Mich., Aug. 2, 1927. Height, 6 feet, 1 inch; weight, 180 pounds. Bats, right; throws, right-handed. Nickname, “Jack.” Married, Feb. 11, 1950, to Sally Carnahan of Mt. Pleasant, Mich. Nationality, German-English descent. Was all-around athlete at Muskegon Heights High School and played four seasons of football and baseball at University of Michigan. Graduate of University of Michigan, 1948. Teaches and coaches at Muskegon during the off season. Signed to first professional contract with Pawtucket, R. I., Club of New England League by Marty Purtell, Boston Braves Scout, in 1948. Hobby, all athletics. Calls football favorite spectator sport. Home address, 1206 West Berg Road, Muskegon Michigan.

Autographed Michigan University card (author’s collection)

Autographed Michigan University 1947 National Champion’s card (author’s collection)

1950 Milwaukee Brewers Scorecard

1950 Scorecard, “WEISS’BGR” 3b #14

I recently came upon a batch of original, albeit yellowed copies of Milwaukee Journal newspapers from the 1950’s. One of them included an article that the Milwaukee Journal’s Sports reporter, Sam Levy did, having interviewed Jack for his “On the First Bounce” column. An insightful article, in that you actually hear directly from a player about his experiences.


Jack was only with the team for 3 seasons, but this colorful interview transforms a small blue and white image from an old score card into a real snapshot of his life as a member of the American Association Milwaukee Brewers.

On The First Bounce by Sam Levy


Stage Fright Ends


Columbus Ohio-The train carrying the Brewers was streaking along at a high speed. Most of the boys were playing cards. Sitting alone and reading was Jack Weisenburger, former Michigan Fullback. “Are you over your stage fright?” The reporter asked Weisenburger. “I guess so,” he answered with a smile, “I don’t feel nervous any more at bat or in the field. A few base hits can give you some confidence. And I feel at ease at 3rd base. I don’t care where I play, but I don’t like to be shifted around. Ever since I got into pro ball, I’ve shuttled between second, short or third, with an occasional start in the outfield. When I was in college I used to tell my coach, Ray Fisher, that I preferred the outfield. He used me in the infield. I guess he knew best. Fisher is a great coach. He’s a former big league pitcher; with the Cincy Reds when they won the pennant in 1919.”


A few years ago, while a junior at Michigan, Weisenburger played summer ball in the Northern league, a semipro circuit in Vermont under Fisher’s management.
“I played under the name of Burger” said Weisenburger, his face beaming. I didn’t fool anyone though. Everywhere I played people asked, ‘when are you going back to play football at Michigan?’
I didn’t know what they meant. Did I get paid? Well I got expenses, I guess. A fellow has to eat, you know.”


Faced Robin Roberts

The best pitcher he ever faced in his college days, said Weisenburger, was Robin Roberts, currently rated one of the top hurlers in the National League. Roberts who received a $26,000 bonus to sign with the Philly Nationals
attended Michigan State while Weisenburger was at Michigan.
“Every time he got the chance, Roberts used to spend as much time as he could with Fisher. “ Weisenburger explained. Fisher liked Roberts as much as any of his own players and told him quite a lot about pitching. And in the spring, Roberts would beat us without any trouble. Recently I read a magazine story in which Roberts gave Fisher credit for his success as a big league pitcher.”

A Lot of Injuries

Three years of college football were less harmful to Weisenburger than his first two seasons in baseball he declared. Last year he missed 50 games with the Denver Western league club because of injuries. In June, 1949, he suffered a fractured ankle and was out for a month. Two weeks after he got back into the line-up he was hit by a pitch and his right thumb was fractured. “I was never hurt much in high school and college football,” added Weisenburger. “Now I would like to get a full season in at 3rd base with Milwaukee.”


1950 Jack Weisenburger Brewer Jersey
(front view)

The 1950 Jack Weisenburger Brewer Jersey
(back view)

Jack Weisenburger and his 1951 Milwaukee Brewer Teammates (3rd from right)

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