Harry Brecheen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harry Brecheen |
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Brecheen with the Baltimore Orioles in 1955
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: October 14, 1914 Broken Bow, Oklahoma, U.S. |
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| Died: January 17, 2004 (aged 89) Bethany, Oklahoma, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| April 22, 1940, for the St. Louis Cardinals | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 13, 1953, for the St. Louis Browns | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 133–92 | ||
| Earned run average | 2.92 | ||
| Strikeouts | 901 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Harry David Brecheen (October 14, 1914 – January 17, 2004) was an American baseball player. He was a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. People called him "the Cat" because he was so good at fielding bunts.
Harry Brecheen played most of his career for the St. Louis Cardinals. In the late 1940s, he was one of the team's best players. In 1946, he made history by becoming the first left-handed pitcher to win three games in a single World Series. He is also the only pitcher ever to win two World Series games in a row. In 1948, he led the National League in several important pitching stats.
Brecheen's earned run average (ERA) in the World Series was 0.83. This was a major league record for many years. He also held the Cardinals' team record for career strikeouts by a left-handed pitcher. He was known for his excellent fielding percentage as a pitcher.
Early Life and Nickname
Harry Brecheen was born in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. The St. Louis Cardinals got him in 1938. Before that, he played two seasons in the minor leagues. He only played in three games in 1940. He didn't play in the major leagues again until 1943. His nickname, "The Cat," came from how quickly and smoothly he could move to field bunts.
Playing Career Highlights
Brecheen played in three games in 1940. These were all as a relief pitcher. He did not have to serve in World War II. This was because of a spinal issue and an old ankle injury. He pitched in the 1943 and 1944 World Series.
In 1943, Brecheen played in 29 games. He started 13 of those games. He had 9 wins and 6 losses. His earned run average was 2.29. The next year, he had a great record of 16 wins and 5 losses. Brecheen won game four of the 1944 World Series. This series was special because it was between the two St. Louis teams.
Brecheen was very important in the Cardinals' win in the 1946 World Series. They beat the Boston Red Sox. He won three games during that series. His best season was in 1948. He won 20 games and lost only 7. He pitched 21 complete games. He led the league in ERA (2.24), strikeouts (149), and shutouts (7).
Harry Brecheen was chosen for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game twice. His total career record was 133 wins and 92 losses. His career ERA was 2.92 over 12 seasons. He held the Cardinals' record for career strikeouts by a left-hander until 1971. His 25 career shutouts are still a record for left-handed Cardinals pitchers. His World Series ERA of 0.83 was a record for many years.
Brecheen played his whole career for St. Louis teams. He finished his playing career in 1953. He was a playing coach for the St. Louis Browns. That was the team's last season in St. Louis. They moved to Baltimore after that year.
Harry Brecheen was also a good hitter for a pitcher. He had a .192 batting average. He hit 2 home runs and had 44 RBI. His screwball pitch was considered one of the best of all time.
Life After Playing Baseball
After he stopped playing, Brecheen stayed with the Browns. They became the Baltimore Orioles. His playing career ended in 1954. He hurt his arm trying to lift a suitcase. But he stayed with the Orioles as their pitching coach. He coached from 1954 to 1967.
During his 14 years as a coach, the Orioles' pitchers were often among the best. He helped many young pitchers. Some of them became famous players. He also helped older pitchers improve their careers. For example, he helped Hoyt Wilhelm become a great starter in 1959. He also helped Robin Roberts make a comeback. Roberts won 42 games with the Orioles after getting help from Brecheen.
Brecheen left the Orioles after the 1967 season. He was voted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. He passed away at age 89 in Bethany, Oklahoma.
See also
- List of St. Louis Cardinals team records
- List of Major League Baseball annual ERA leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual strikeout leaders
