Otis Brannan
Encyclopedia
Otis Owen Brannan sometimes misspelled Otis Brannon, was a professional baseball
player whose playing career spanned 13 seasons, including two in Major League Baseball
. Over his major league career, Brannan played for the St. Louis Browns (1928–1929) and batted
.249 with 72 runs
, 133 hits
, 19 doubles
, three triples
, 11 home runs and 74 runs batted in (RBIs) in 158 games played
. Brannan also played in the minor leagues
. In the minors, he played for the Class-C Muskogee Athletics
(1926), Class-A Tulsa Oilers (1926–1927), the Double-A Hollywood Stars
(1930–1933), the Class-D Osceola Indians (1936), the Class-C Hot Springs Bathers
(1938), the Class-C Clarksdale Red Sox
(1939), the Class-D Lake Charles Skippers (1940), the Class-C Clarksdale Ginners
(1941) and the Class-D Lafayette White Sox (1941). Brannan also managed
for two seasons in the minor leagues.
and the Class-A Tulsa Oilers. With the Athletics, Brannan batted
.326 with 70 hits
, 14 doubles
, one triples
and nine home runs in 50 games played
. Brannan then played with the Tulsa Oilers where he batted .304 with 80 hits, 22 doubles, one triple and five home runs in 69 games played. During the 1927 season, Brannan played with the Tulsa Oilers. In 155 games, Brannan batted .320 with 206 hits, 38 doubles, 11 triples and 12 home runs.
franchise. He made his major league debut on April 11, 1928. In that game against the Detroit Tigers
he did not get a hit in four at-bats. Brannan became the first attendee of Arkansas State University
to play in the major leagues when he made his debut. Brannan got his first hit during the next game on April 12 against the Tigers. On May 17, in a game against the New York Yankees
, Brannan hit his first major league home run. On the season, Brannan batted .244 with 68 runs
, 118 hits, 18 doubles, three triples, ten home runs and 66 RBIs in 135 games played. Brannan spent his last season in the majors with the Browns in 1929. He batted .294 with four runs, 15 hits, one double and one RBI in 23 games. Over his two years with the Browns, Brannan played 154 games at second base and committed 28 errors
in 812 total chances
.
of the Pacific Coast League
in 1930 after he signed in February of that year. During his first season, 1930, he batted .307 with 228 hits, 38 doubles, seven triples and 18 home runs in 191 games played. Brannan led the stars in games played, at-bats (742) and hits on the season. During his second season with the Stars, 1931, Brannan batted .283 with 157 hits, 26 doubles, four triples and seven home runs. At the end of the season, the Stars reportedly contemplated a trade involving Brannan to the Cleveland Indians
, but nothing was ever finalized. In 1933, Brannan batted .311 with 217 with 30 doubles, six triples and 17 home runs in 177 games. He led the Stars in at-bats (697) and home runs. Brannan played his final season with the Stars in 1933. With Hollywood that season, he batted .303 with 217 hits, 44 doubles, two triples and 14 home runs in 188 games. Brannan led the Stars in doubles that season. After the 1933 season, Brannan suffered a mental breakdown
at his home in Arkansas
and was forced to retire.
. With the Indians, Brannan batted .391 with 27 hits, seven doubles, one triple and one home run in 17 games. After a one-year absence from professional baseball, Brannan returned in 1938 with the Class-C Hot Springs Bathers
of the Cotton States League
. The Bathers were affiliated with the Detroit Tigers during Brannan's tenure. With Hot Springs, Brannan batted .325 with 151 hits, 24 doubles, one triple and eight home runs in 116 games. He led the Bathers in batting average, at-bats (465) and hits. Brannan played for the Class-C Clarksdale Red Sox
in the Boston Red Sox
organization. He batted .306 with 118 hits, 16 doubles, one triple and three home runs in 100 games. In 1940, Brannan began his managerial
career as a player-manager with the Class-D Lake Charles Skippers of the Evangeline League. With Lake Charles, he batted .261 with 71 hits, 10 doubles, one triple and three home runs in 83 games. In 1941, Brannan played for two teams and managed one. With the Clarksdale Ginners, he batted .242 with 44 hits, 12 doubles and one home run in 46 games. Brannan only played one game with the Class-D Lafayette White Sox, who were affiliated with the St. Louis Browns. In that game, he got one hit in two at-bats. He also managed the Class-D Lima Pandas that season.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player whose playing career spanned 13 seasons, including two in Major League Baseball
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...
. Over his major league career, Brannan played for the St. Louis Browns (1928–1929) and batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.249 with 72 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, 133 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, 19 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, three triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 11 home runs and 74 runs batted in (RBIs) in 158 games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
. Brannan also played in the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
. In the minors, he played for the Class-C Muskogee Athletics
Muskogee Athletics
The Muskogee Athletics were a Western Association baseball team based in Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA that played from 1924 to 1926. Under the guidance of manager Gabby Street, the Athletics finished third in the league in 1924, going 97-65. In 1925, they finished in fourth place, going 79-72. They made...
(1926), Class-A Tulsa Oilers (1926–1927), the Double-A Hollywood Stars
Hollywood Stars
The Hollywood Stars were a minor league baseball team that played in the Pacific Coast League during the early and mid 20th century. They were the arch-rivals of the other Los Angeles based PCL team, the Los Angeles Angels.-Hollywood Stars :...
(1930–1933), the Class-D Osceola Indians (1936), the Class-C Hot Springs Bathers
Hot Springs Bathers
The Hot Springs Bathers were a Cotton States League baseball team based in Hot Springs, Arkansas that played from 1938 to 1941 and from 1947 to 1955. In 1938, they were affiliated with the Chicago Cubs. In 1939 and 1940, they were affiliated with the Detroit Tigers. From 1948 to 1951, they were...
(1938), the Class-C Clarksdale Red Sox
Clarksdale Planters
The Clarksdale Planters are a defunct minor league baseball team that was based in Clarksdale, Mississippi. They played under different names over their 13 nonconsecutive seasons, including the Ginners , the Red Sox , and finally the Planters...
(1939), the Class-D Lake Charles Skippers (1940), the Class-C Clarksdale Ginners
Clarksdale Planters
The Clarksdale Planters are a defunct minor league baseball team that was based in Clarksdale, Mississippi. They played under different names over their 13 nonconsecutive seasons, including the Ginners , the Red Sox , and finally the Planters...
(1941) and the Class-D Lafayette White Sox (1941). Brannan also managed
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
for two seasons in the minor leagues.
Early career
Brannan began his professional career in 1926, split between the Class-C Muskogee AthleticsMuskogee Athletics
The Muskogee Athletics were a Western Association baseball team based in Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA that played from 1924 to 1926. Under the guidance of manager Gabby Street, the Athletics finished third in the league in 1924, going 97-65. In 1925, they finished in fourth place, going 79-72. They made...
and the Class-A Tulsa Oilers. With the Athletics, Brannan batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.326 with 70 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, 14 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, one triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
and nine home runs in 50 games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
. Brannan then played with the Tulsa Oilers where he batted .304 with 80 hits, 22 doubles, one triple and five home runs in 69 games played. During the 1927 season, Brannan played with the Tulsa Oilers. In 155 games, Brannan batted .320 with 206 hits, 38 doubles, 11 triples and 12 home runs.
St. Louis Browns
In 1928, Brannan joined the St. Louis Browns Major League BaseballMajor 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...
franchise. He made his major league debut on April 11, 1928. In that game against the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
he did not get a hit in four at-bats. Brannan became the first attendee of Arkansas State University
Arkansas State University
Arkansas State University is a public university and is the flagship campus of the Arkansas State University System, the state's second largest college system and third largest university by enrollment. It is located atop on Crowley's Ridge at Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA...
to play in the major leagues when he made his debut. Brannan got his first hit during the next game on April 12 against the Tigers. On May 17, in a game against the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, Brannan hit his first major league home run. On the season, Brannan batted .244 with 68 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, 118 hits, 18 doubles, three triples, ten home runs and 66 RBIs in 135 games played. Brannan spent his last season in the majors with the Browns in 1929. He batted .294 with four runs, 15 hits, one double and one RBI in 23 games. Over his two years with the Browns, Brannan played 154 games at second base and committed 28 errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
in 812 total chances
Total chances
In baseball statistics, total chances , also called chances offered, represents the number of plays in which a defensive player has participated. It is calculated as follows: Total Chances = assists + putouts + errors. Chances accepted refers to the total of putouts and assists only. Fielding...
.
Hollywood Stars
Brannan began his tenure with the Double-A Hollywood StarsHollywood Stars
The Hollywood Stars were a minor league baseball team that played in the Pacific Coast League during the early and mid 20th century. They were the arch-rivals of the other Los Angeles based PCL team, the Los Angeles Angels.-Hollywood Stars :...
of the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
in 1930 after he signed in February of that year. During his first season, 1930, he batted .307 with 228 hits, 38 doubles, seven triples and 18 home runs in 191 games played. Brannan led the stars in games played, at-bats (742) and hits on the season. During his second season with the Stars, 1931, Brannan batted .283 with 157 hits, 26 doubles, four triples and seven home runs. At the end of the season, the Stars reportedly contemplated a trade involving Brannan to 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...
, but nothing was ever finalized. In 1933, Brannan batted .311 with 217 with 30 doubles, six triples and 17 home runs in 177 games. He led the Stars in at-bats (697) and home runs. Brannan played his final season with the Stars in 1933. With Hollywood that season, he batted .303 with 217 hits, 44 doubles, two triples and 14 home runs in 188 games. Brannan led the Stars in doubles that season. After the 1933 season, Brannan suffered a mental breakdown
Mental breakdown
Mental breakdown is a non-medical term used to describe an acute, time-limited phase of a specific disorder that presents primarily with features of depression or anxiety.-Definition:...
at his home in Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
and was forced to retire.
Later career
Brannan returned from retirement in 1936 to join the Class-D Osceola Indians of the Northeast Arkansas LeagueNortheast Arkansas League
The Northeast Arkansas League was the name used by a pair of American minor league baseball leagues. The first of these started operations in 1909 and continued through 1911. The second version began operations for the 1936 season. It continued through the 1941 season.-1909:The teams from...
. With the Indians, Brannan batted .391 with 27 hits, seven doubles, one triple and one home run in 17 games. After a one-year absence from professional baseball, Brannan returned in 1938 with the Class-C Hot Springs Bathers
Hot Springs Bathers
The Hot Springs Bathers were a Cotton States League baseball team based in Hot Springs, Arkansas that played from 1938 to 1941 and from 1947 to 1955. In 1938, they were affiliated with the Chicago Cubs. In 1939 and 1940, they were affiliated with the Detroit Tigers. From 1948 to 1951, they were...
of the Cotton States League
Cotton States League
The Cotton States League name was used five different times in baseball history. The first Cotton States League ran from 1902 through 1908 as a class D league. After the league shut down, another Cotton States League was reformulated in 1910, with three of the six '08 members returning for the new...
. The Bathers were affiliated with the Detroit Tigers during Brannan's tenure. With Hot Springs, Brannan batted .325 with 151 hits, 24 doubles, one triple and eight home runs in 116 games. He led the Bathers in batting average, at-bats (465) and hits. Brannan played for the Class-C Clarksdale Red Sox
Clarksdale Planters
The Clarksdale Planters are a defunct minor league baseball team that was based in Clarksdale, Mississippi. They played under different names over their 13 nonconsecutive seasons, including the Ginners , the Red Sox , and finally the Planters...
in the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
organization. He batted .306 with 118 hits, 16 doubles, one triple and three home runs in 100 games. In 1940, Brannan began his managerial
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
career as a player-manager with the Class-D Lake Charles Skippers of the Evangeline League. With Lake Charles, he batted .261 with 71 hits, 10 doubles, one triple and three home runs in 83 games. In 1941, Brannan played for two teams and managed one. With the Clarksdale Ginners, he batted .242 with 44 hits, 12 doubles and one home run in 46 games. Brannan only played one game with the Class-D Lafayette White Sox, who were affiliated with the St. Louis Browns. In that game, he got one hit in two at-bats. He also managed the Class-D Lima Pandas that season.