In 1944 the St. Louis Browns claimed an unlikely American League pennant, finishing with a record of 89-65 to win the American League by a one game margin over the Detroit Tigers. Young star Vern Stephens paced the offense with 20 home runs and 109 RBI, while the pitching duo of Nels Potter and Jack Kramer combined to win 36 games for a Browns team that finished in sixth place the season before. The Browns faced the Cardinals in the World Series, pitting the two teams that shared Sportsman’s Park against each other. The Cardinals emerged from the World Series with the title, dispatching the Browns in six close games in the only all-St. Louis World Series matchup.

     This Official American League William Harridge ball has been signed by 26 members of the 1944 Browns, with the signature Sig “Jack” Jakucki and Milt Byrnes appearing on the sweet spot. Other signatures include Vern Stephens, Sam Zoldak, Tom Turner, Al Zarilla, Floyd Baker, Bob Muncrief, Luke Sewell, Red Hayworth, Frank Mancuso, Mark Christman, Mike Kreevich, Tex Shirley, Zack Taylor, George McQuinn, Chet Laabs, Nels Potter, Don Gutteridge, Weldon “Lefty” West, Denny Galehouse, Ellis Clary, Mike Chartak, Fred Hofmann, Al Hollingsworth, Jack Kramer, and George Caster. The final signature on this ball belongs to Orville Paul, a one-armed batting practice pitcher for the team. Paul lost his left arm in an explosion at a Liberty Loan Rally during World War I, at the age of eight. He tossed BP for the Browns for several seasons, and was considered an important part of their squad despite never appearing in a game. The signatures on this ball have been written in black steel-tip fountain pen. This ball comes with a LOA from JSA (Z58623).

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