There are times that we celebrate as we do today celebrating former Brownie George Elder’s 100th birthday. And then there are times where we celebrate life in another form as we have come to learn that another former St. Louis Browns player, Al Naples passed away on February 26th at the age of 94.

Al passed peacefully. He had been in a nursing home in Orleans, Massachusetts and had been preceded in death by his wife Rosemary just 18 days earlier. Al’s passing leaves only 5 former St. Louis Browns still with us (George Elder, Johnny Groth, Billy Hunter, Ed Mickelson, and Frank Saucier). Even as they pass, their memories and the team’s legacy remain with us.

Al played one brief season with the Browns in June 1949. After serving in the Navy, Al received a basketball scholarship to Georgetown University where he also played baseball and caught the eye of major league scouts. The story has it that Browns Vice President Charlie DeWitt signed young Al right out from under the nose of the New York Yankees who had long eyed the local product and were about to sign him. The Browns were in need of an infielder for a series in Boston as both Bob Dillinger and Jerry Priddy were out with injuries. Al signed his contract on Friday and joined the team on Saturday, June 26th. Al then got his first start and promptly slashed a double off the Sox’s Mel Parnell. He grounded out the next three times up and went hitless the next day. That series has gone down in baseball history books as baseball’s version of the “Boston Massacre” with the Red Sox outscoring the Browns 46-7 in the four game series. Al had made it to the Majors, but his time was short as he then broke his finger on his throwing hand during practice the next day. Once healed he was sent to the Browns minor league club in Springfield, Illinois and never made it back to the show. He retired from baseball and became a long time mathematics teacher who stayed in contact with the St. Louis Browns Fan Club. He will forever be remembered as one of those special men who put on the brown and orange flannels of the St. Louis Browns.

On a more positive note, former Brownie Frank Saucier spent time with the Fan Club in what has been heralded as a riveting interview. Frank is a model for what the term “the greatest generation” means. Not just a ballplayer, Frank was a man who freely gave more to his country and his career. One of the best college and minor league players to ever play the game, this is a story you may not know and do not want to miss.

Ed Wheatley

President – St. Louis Browns Historical Society & Fan Club