Lou Brissie
Encyclopedia
Leland Victor Brissie is a former Major League Baseball
starting pitcher
who played for the Philadelphia Athletics
from 1947 to 1951 and the Cleveland Indians
from 1951-1953.
Lou Brissie began his baseball career in 1940 when at the age of 16 he pitched for Ware Shoales in a textile baseball league. Lou attracted the attention of Connie Mack
and the Philadelphia Athletics in 1941; however his father insisted he finish school.
Lou attended Presbyterian College before enlisting in the U.S. Army in December 1942. In November 1944, Lou found himself in heavy fighting in Italy with the 88th Infantry Division (Blue Devils). On December 2, 1944, Lou's unit suffered an artillery barrage, and a shell exploded which shattered his left tibia and shinbone in 30 pieces. Lou's citations included the Purple Heart (with oak leaf cluster), Bronze Star, ETO and American Campaign Medals.
After 2 years and 23 major operations Lou was able to return to baseball with a metal brace on his leg. He was signed by the Philadelphia A's on December 15, 1946. His comeback began with Savannah in the Southern League where he won 25 games in 1947. The A's called him up and on September 28, 1947 he realized his "life's ambition" of pitching in the major leagues. (Legend has it that Lou was pitching against Ted Williams when he was hit on the metal brace on his leg. It is claimed he yelled "Damn it Ted, pull the ball").
His best seasons with the A's came in 1948 when was 14-10, and 1949 when he was 16-11. He pitched 3 innings for the 1949 American League All Star team.
Lou was traded to the Cleveland Indians on April 30, 1951 and retired in September 1953. His career record was 44-48 with 436 Ks and 4.07 ERA. He batted and threw left-handed.
As of June 2005 (according to a baseball digest article 6-1-05) Lou was serving as the National Director of the American Legion Baseball program.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
starting pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who played for the Philadelphia Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
from 1947 to 1951 and the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
from 1951-1953.
Lou Brissie began his baseball career in 1940 when at the age of 16 he pitched for Ware Shoales in a textile baseball league. Lou attracted the attention of Connie Mack
Connie Mack (baseball)
Cornelius McGillicuddy, Sr. , better known as Connie Mack, was an American professional baseball player, manager, and team owner. The longest-serving manager in Major League Baseball history, he holds records for wins , losses , and games managed , with his victory total being almost 1,000 more...
and the Philadelphia Athletics in 1941; however his father insisted he finish school.
Lou attended Presbyterian College before enlisting in the U.S. Army in December 1942. In November 1944, Lou found himself in heavy fighting in Italy with the 88th Infantry Division (Blue Devils). On December 2, 1944, Lou's unit suffered an artillery barrage, and a shell exploded which shattered his left tibia and shinbone in 30 pieces. Lou's citations included the Purple Heart (with oak leaf cluster), Bronze Star, ETO and American Campaign Medals.
After 2 years and 23 major operations Lou was able to return to baseball with a metal brace on his leg. He was signed by the Philadelphia A's on December 15, 1946. His comeback began with Savannah in the Southern League where he won 25 games in 1947. The A's called him up and on September 28, 1947 he realized his "life's ambition" of pitching in the major leagues. (Legend has it that Lou was pitching against Ted Williams when he was hit on the metal brace on his leg. It is claimed he yelled "Damn it Ted, pull the ball").
His best seasons with the A's came in 1948 when was 14-10, and 1949 when he was 16-11. He pitched 3 innings for the 1949 American League All Star team.
Lou was traded to the Cleveland Indians on April 30, 1951 and retired in September 1953. His career record was 44-48 with 436 Ks and 4.07 ERA. He batted and threw left-handed.
As of June 2005 (according to a baseball digest article 6-1-05) Lou was serving as the National Director of the American Legion Baseball program.