Today in Brewer History: Happy Birthday, Ryne Duren

by Kyle Lobner on Feb 22, 2012 6:00 AM CST in History

On this day in 1929, Rinold George "Ryne" Duren was born in Cazenovia, Wisconsin, a small village about 20 miles southwest of Wisconsin Dells. Duren was 20 when the St. Louis Browns signed him as an amateur free agent in 1949, and the team had moved to Baltimore and become the Orioles by the time he pitched his first major league game in 1954.

Duren didn't really get his first full time opportunity in the majors until 1958, his first season with the Yankees. He made the most of his shot, though, posting a 2.02 ERA and an AL-leading 20 saves in 44 appearances, making his first of three All Star appearances and finishing second to Senators outfielder Albie Pearson in the AL Rookie of the Year voting.

All told, Duren pitched ten seasons in the majors as a member of seven teams, wrapping up his career in 1965 as a member of the Phillies. He passed away in 2011, but would have turned 83 today.

With help from the B-Ref Play Index we'd also like to wish a happy birthday to:

Seattle Pilot Steve Barber, who would have turned 74.
Portage, Wisconsin native and 1891 Milwaukee Brewer George Davies, who would have turned 144.

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kyle – where do you find such cool and old history for us everyday?

by Saberilliterate on Feb 22, 2012 6:47 AM CST reply actions

Here and there.

One of the upsides to having done this almost 300 times is that I’ve more or less developed a system for it. There are several tools at B-Ref I either use each day or used once and entered into a Google Calendar. I write stuff down as I think of it and mark down reminders for future days.

Most days there are roughly 3-4 places I check, pick a favorite story and write it.

Now that's great tasting chicken!

by Kyle Lobner on Feb 22, 2012 9:41 AM CST up reply actions

And to tie it all in...

The St. Louis Browns were originally the Milwaukee Brewers.

by mpbMKE on Feb 22, 2012 10:42 AM CST reply actions

strong farm system

despite having the most meagerly funded farm system in baseball during the late 40s and early 50s, the Browns produced a surprising number of future All-Stars: Garver, Dillinger, Larsen, Duren, Turley, Hunter, Francona, and Dale Long. Even Tommy Lasorda spent spring training with the Browns in an effort to make the team, but could not.

by fortuitously on Feb 24, 2012 4:40 PM CST reply actions

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NL Central Standings

	W	L	PCT	GB	STRK
Cincinnati Red Reporter	27	20	.574	0	Won 2
St. Louis Viva El Birdos	26	22	.541	1.5	Won 1
Pittsburgh Bucs Dugout	23	24	.489	4	Won 3
Houston The Crawfish Boxes	22	25	.468	5	Lost 2
Milwaukee Brew Crew Ball	19	28	.404	8	Lost 2
Chicago Bleed Cubbie Blue	15	32	.319	12	Lost 12