Bay Brown

Marshall Bay Brown

• Height 5' 10", Weight 180 lb.

• Born February 25, 1867 in Weston, OH USA
• Died November 27, 1928 in Saginaw, MI USA

BR Minors page (1888-1892)
BR Minors page (1896)

Biographical Information

Born Marshall Bay Brown in Weston, Wood County, Ohio, he was best known as Bay Brown throughout his life, including during his playing days. In Weston he drew attention for catching future major leaguer Dan Abbott and by 1887 was catching in the nearby boom-town of Findlay, OH. In 1888 he got his first minor league experience with the Toledo Maumees of the Tri-State League, but was released in June when the team needed to cut expenses, though it was also reported that the quiet and temperate Brown did not fit in with the rowdier elements of the Toledo club.

In 1889, Brown played with Saginaw in the Michigan State League, where he earned praise for his catching, throwing, and hitting for the league's pennant winners, and was said to be ready for a higher-level league. He returned to the city in 1890, to play with the Saginaw-Bay City Hyphens, an entrant in the International Association, where he hit .250 in 27 games before the league folded that July. He soon moved to play with the Utica Pent-Ups in the New York State League, where he excelled, hitting .349 in 43 games.

In the spring of 1891, Brown went to St. Paul, MN to play with that city's Western Association team, but he was released before the league season began. He returned to New York and opened the league season with the Albany Senators of the Eastern Association. He was by then recognized as one of the best catchers in the minor leagues and had interest from the Chicago Colts and New York Giants of the National League. Perhaps holding out for more money, Brown declined to be transferred to Chicago. However, he soon came down with a malarial illness and did not play up to his previous form during the remainder of the season, though he still hit .274 in 52 games.

Brown rejoined Albany to begin 1892, but was released that June after playing 21 games. He then played 6 games with Binghamton in June and July. He returned to Saginaw afterwards and married a Bay City woman that December. He remained in Saginaw, working as a tool maker and playing for local teams. While he did play some for the Saginaw Lumbermen in the 1896 Interstate League, he otherwise preferred to work his trade rather than play professionally.

Related Sites

• Find-A-Grave Memorial for Marshall Bay Brown