Vern Stephens signed with the Browns for a $500 bonus at age 17. By the time he was 21, he was the regular St. Louis shortstop. In 1944, when the Browns won their last pennant, he led the AL in RBI and finished third in the MVP voting behind Tiger pitcher Hal Newhouser. In 1945 Stephens led the AL in homers with 24.
The next year, he narrowly missed a suspension from organized baseball. He signed a five-year, $175,000 contract to play in the outlaw Mexican League of the Pasqual brothers. He had been in Mexico only a few days when his father, a minor league umpire, and Browns scout Jack Fournier drove down and brought him back. Fearing the Pasquals might try to stop him, he exchanged clothes with his father and walked across the International Bridge.
A fortunate turn of events for Browns fans as Stephens has continued his solid play at SS, average range but a strong arm and soft hands, and shown remarkable consistency at the plate. As he has matured physically, the power has increased and the '49 season may be his best yet with a .294 BA, 22 HR and 102 RBI.
Stephens could very well be fashioning a HOF career. At age 28, he has accumulated 1246 hits and 139 HR in 8 seasons as St. Louis regular shortstop. If his power continues to grow and he can learn some patience at the plate, only 37 BB in 551 AB this year, another decade of consistent and excellent production would see him approaching 3000 hits.
The Browns have been a low profile squad since the '44 pennant but any future successes will have Vern Stephens playing a major role.
