St. Louis Terriers

1914:The St. Louis Terriers were owned by ice magnate Phil Ball, who would later purchase the American League’s St. Louis Browns. The Terriers played at Handlan’s Park near the campus of St. Louis College. Managed by the legendary Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown the Terriers opened the season strong, winning 10 of their first 12 games, including eight straight after losing the season opener to the Indianapolis Hoosiers. The Terriers would not be able to keep up the pace and played terrible baseball in May and June, winning just a total of 16 games, dropping from first place all the way down to last in the Federal League. The Terriers would never recover and spent the remainder of season at or near the bottom of the FL. Eventually Mordecai Brown would be chosen as the fall guy and would be fired, with the team sitting at 50-63 on August 21st. The Terriers would not play any better under new Manager Fielder Jones as they went on to finish in last place with a record of 62-89. The Terriers struggled in all aspects of the game, as Doc Crandall was the only player to hit better than .300, while Jack Tobin’s seven home runs led the team. Crandall also led the team in wins with 13, one better than Three Finger Brown who finished the season with the Brooklyn Tip-Tops after being dismissed as manager in St. Louis.

1915:Fielder Jones remained on as manager for the St. Louis Terriers who had an amazing turnaround in their second season. In their first season a good start was spoiled by a terrible May and June, in their second season a lackluster start was erased by a terrific May and June as the Terriers posted a record of 32-16. While the Terriers lineup did not do much better, with Ward Miller being the only batter above .300, the Terriers pitching was second to none Dave Davenport, Doc Crandall and Eddie Plank all winning over 20 games. Plank was the team’s biggest upgrade in the off-season as he was sold by Connie Mack following the Philadelphia Athletics disastrous sweep in the 1914 World Series. Despite struggling in July, the Terriers were in the Federal League Pennant race all season, battling the Chicago Whales and Pittsburgh Rebels right down to the final day of the season. When the dust settled the St. Louis Terriers had a league best 87 wins. However, they would miss the pennant by .001 percentage point, as their 87-67 record was just behind the Whales 86-66 record and despite a tie in the standings, the Whales would win the Federal League’s final championship.