St. Louis Browns utility player Art Griggs was born on December 10, 1883, in Topeka, Kansas. He may not be a household name in history of the St. Louis Browns, but what he was able to accomplish on and off the diamond is amazing. He helped shape the players and teams of the minor leagues after his retirement from baseball. As a player Art
St. Louis Browns utility player Art Griggs was born on December 10, 1883, in Topeka, Kansas. He may not be a household name in history of the St. Louis Browns, but what he was able to accomplish on and off the diamond is amazing. He helped shape the players and teams of the minor leagues after his retirement from baseball. As a player Art Griggs played for 18 teams over a 20 span that included time in the American and Federal Leagues.
Art Griggs was a two sport star in high school, which extended into his college years. Griggs played baseball at Topeka Business School (1903), while also playing football at the University of Kansas (1903) and the University of Pittsburgh (1905). Between these years he was a two sport athlete at Washburn University in 1904.
Art Griggs began his professional baseball career in 1905 when he signed an amateur free agent contract with Ellsworth of the Kansas State League. He was 3-0 in three games as a pitcher, with no recorded offensive stats. Over the next three seasons, Griggs would play for the Little Rock Travelers (1906), Lake Charles Creoles (1906) and the San Antonio Bronchos (1907-08). In this time his athleticism helped him transition from pitcher to playing in the field.
The Browns acquired Art Griggs in the Rule 5 Draft from San Antonio on November 1, 1908. He was seen as the next great player in the organization, and manager James McAleer call ed him the "most promising player he had seen in years." Griggs would make his MLB debut May 2, 1909 as a pinch hitter for Jack Powell. With outfielders George Stone and Danny Hoffman injured early in the season, Griggs had plenty of opportunities to dazzle his new team. He would end up collecting 102 hits in 108 games while batting .280 in his rookie campaign. The Browns were set that their new outfielder could be one of the best. However, Griggs' sophomore season began with a dismal start that would hinder his offensive numbers. He would see action in 123 games as his batting average dropped (.236), along with fewer hits 98), runs (28), and RBIs (30). The Browns would end up trading Art Griggs to the Cleveland Naps on December 14, 1910 for catcher Jay Clarke.
Griggs would spend the next two seasons (19011-12) between the Naps and the Toledo Mud Hens. After a season with the Montreal Royals (1913), Griggs would join the Boston Tip Tops of the outlaw Federal Baseball League (1914-15). Griggs would spend his last 11 years in baseball playing with seven western teams. He saw time with the Vernon Tigers (1916-17), Portland Beavers (1917), San Francisco Seals (1918-19), Sacramento Senators (1919), and Los Angeles Angels (1920-23).
Art Griggs would begin his second phase of his baseball career when he became the player/manager of the Omaha Buffaloes in 1924. He managed Omaha for two seasons (1924-25), but that sparked his interest in leadership positions in the game. He would go on to own and manage the Omaha Larks/Aviators (1928-31), and the Tulsa Oilers (1932-38) within the Western and Texas Leagues. His teams won several pennants and drew thousand of fans to the ballparks.
Art Griggs would pass away from Hodgkins Lymphoma a the age of 55 in 1938. The state of Oklahoma would create the "Art Griggs Memorial Award" given to the best baseball player from the state of Oklahoma. This award was given to dozens of players including Harry Brecheen (1947), Allie Reynolds (1948, 50-52), Mickey Mantle (1953), and Warren Spahn (1954, 55, 64). In 1940, Art Griggs was inducted into the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame in 1940.
It was said that Art Griggs may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.
"THE 1944 WORLD SERIES WAS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK"
This new look at the St. Louis series in 1944 includes original film footage, and expert break down of the players and teams involved. Please enjoy this original program from the YouTube channel, SPORTS REWIND. Please click on the link below:
The 1944 World Series Was Closer Than You Think!
"THE 1944 WORLD SERIES WAS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK"
This new look at the St. Louis series in 1944 includes original film footage, and expert break down of the players and teams involved. Please enjoy this original program from the YouTube channel, SPORTS REWIND. Please click on the link below:
The 1944 World Series Was Closer Than You Think!
https://youtu.be/sp4si6Evjkk
BROWNS BIRTHDAYS ON THIS DAY
12/10/1883 - Catcher Jim Stephens (1907-12)
12/10/1883 - UTIL Art Griggs (1909-10)
TRANSACTIONS
1908 - Browns send catcher Tubby Spencer and $5,000 to the Boston Red Sox for catcher Lou Criger. Spencer spent four seasons as a platoon catcher with the Browns. His combined batting average in that time was .221, where he tallied 181 hits, with 24 doubles, five triples, a home run, and 81 runs driven in. Criger would bat .170 in 74 games in 1910, with just nine RBIs. He would be traded to the New York Yankees in December of 1909, only to return for just one game with the Browns in 1912.
The 1945 St. Louis Browns offense was the same lineup as they fielded in 1944, but the team statistics took a fall from the pennant winning season. The team dropped in every major offensive category including batting average, home runs, and stolen bases. Compared to the rest of the American League, the Browns rested in the middle of the p
The 1945 St. Louis Browns offense was the same lineup as they fielded in 1944, but the team statistics took a fall from the pennant winning season. The team dropped in every major offensive category including batting average, home runs, and stolen bases. Compared to the rest of the American League, the Browns rested in the middle of the pack, resting near the league average. They didn't lead in any category, and they were not the worst. Browns shortstop Vern Stephens was the leader of the team in most categories. He would lead the American League in home runs with 24.
Batting Leaders
with A.L. rankings in (#)
Team Statistics:
Player Statistics