Mordecai Brown

A recent comment on this post alerted me to the story of Mordecai Brown. The commenter is the co-author of a book on the turn-of-the-century Chicago Cubs pitcher whose hand was disfigured in a farming accident. The authors also maintain this site dedicated to Brown.

Reviewing the site, you get a sense that Brown was an exceptionally determined individual as well as a great athlete. Teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Johnny Evans has this quote about Brown:

"You haven’t space enough to tell of the good deeds of Brownie on and off the field. Plenty of nerve, ability and willingness to work at all times under any conditions. Crowds never bothered him. There was never a finer character-charitable and friendly to his foes and ever willing to help a youngster breaking in."

The foreword for the book is provided by fellow Cubs pitcher and Hall of Fame member Ferguson Jenkins. An excerpt from that foreword is definitely going to be bulletin board material for our youngest daughter.

"When you start out with a disadvantage, you have to work harder to do what others take for granted In the end, that gives you an advantage."