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Mordecai Brown

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description Mordecai Brown Overview

Mordecai Brown was an American right-handed pitcher who played primarily for the Chicago Cubs in the early twentieth century. Known as Three Finger Brown after a childhood accident damaged his hand, he won 239 major league games and helped the Cubs win the 1907 and 1908 World Series. Brown was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1949 and is studied for his unusual pitching grip, control, and role in the Cubs' first championship era.

help Mordecai Brown FAQ

Why was Mordecai Brown called Three Finger Brown?

Brown suffered serious injuries to his right hand in childhood farm accidents, leaving him with a distinctive three-fingered grip. The unusual hand helped him generate exceptional movement on his curveball.

What were Mordecai Brown's career pitching numbers?

Brown finished with a 239-130 win-loss record, a 2.06 earned-run average, and 55 shutouts. Those totals came during the dead-ball era, when complete games and low-scoring pitching were common.

Did Mordecai Brown win World Series titles with the Chicago Cubs?

Yes, Brown helped the Cubs win the World Series in 1907 and 1908. In the 1907 Series, he also pitched the clinching Game 5 against Ty Cobb's Detroit Tigers.

When was Mordecai Brown elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Brown was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in the class of 1949 through the Veterans Committee. His contemporaries included fellow Hall of Fame pitcher Christy Mathewson.