Brown, Mordecai (1876-1948), was one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history despite throwing with a pitching hand that had been severely injured in a farm accident. When Brown was 7 years old, he caught his right hand in a corn grinder. He lost most of his forefinger and little finger, and his middle finger was left crooked. He was nicknamed “Three-Finger” Brown during his career. Brown won 239 games during his 14-year career and ended with a career earned run average of 2.06, one of the lowest in major league history.
Mordecai Peter Centennial Brown was born in Nyesville, Indiana, on Oct. 19, 1876. He worked as a coal miner for several years before starting his baseball career at the age of 24 as an infielder. He soon turned to pitching, beginning with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1903. Brown had his greatest years with the Chicago Cubs from 1904 to 1912. He won at least 20 games a season from 1906 to 1911. He pitched in four World Series, winning five games, three by shutout. Brown died on Feb. 14, 1948. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1949.
