Harry Brecheen, baseball player, 1940-1953

Harry Brecheen

Born: 10/14/1914 in Broken Bow, OK, USA

Died: 1/17/2004 in Bethany, OK, USA

MLB Debut: 1940-04-22 | Final Game: 1953-09-13

Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 160 lbs

Full name: Harry David Brecheen

Biography

Harry Brecheen, born in 1914, was a prominent pitcher who made a significant impact in Major League Baseball during his career from 1940 to 1953. Known for his exceptional control and ability to pitch under pressure, Brecheen finished his career with a record of 133 wins and 92 losses, alongside an impressive earned run average (ERA) of 2.92. He struck out 901 batters and recorded 18 saves, showcasing his versatility and effectiveness as both a starter and a reliever. His skill on the mound earned him selection as an All-Star twice, highlighting his status among the elite pitchers of his time. Brecheen's career unfolded during a transformative period in baseball, marked by the end of the deadball era and the increasing popularity of the sport in post-war America. He played a pivotal role for the St. Louis Cardinals, contributing to their 1944 World Series championship. Renowned for his crafty left-handed pitching, Brecheen was adept at using a mix of pitches to keep hitters off balance. His legacy is remembered not only for his achievements on the field but also for the influence he had on future generations of pitchers, reflecting the evolution of the game during his era.

Career Pitching Statistics

W L G GS CG SHO SV IP H ER HR BB SO ERA Pitcher PIV
133 92 318 240 125 25 18 1907.7 1731 618 117 536 901 2.92 0

Season-by-Season Pitching

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
321 673 48 129 13 5 2 44 0 45 121 0.192 0.247 0.235 0.481 -3017.2

Season-by-Season Batting

Postseason Statistics

Playoff Career Batting

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
7 12 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0.083

Playoff Batting by Year

Year Round Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
1946 WS SLN 3 8 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0.125
1944 WS SLN 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.000
1943 WS SLN 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Playoff Career Pitching

W L G GS SV IP H ER BB SO ERA
4 1 7 3 0 32.7 28 3 12 18 0.83

Playoff Pitching by Year

Year Round Team W L G GS SV IP H ER BB SO ERA
1946 WS SLN 3 0 3 2 0 20.0 14 1 5 11 0.45
1944 WS SLN 1 0 1 1 0 9.0 9 1 4 4 1.00
1943 WS SLN 0 1 3 0 0 3.7 5 1 3 3 2.45

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
P 318 0 78 376 8 22

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
Pitcher 318

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
1948 Most Valuable Player NL 5th 61.0 336 0
1946 Most Valuable Player NL 16th 14.0 336 0
1945 Most Valuable Player NL 12th 31.0 336 0