Pete Browning is one of those baseball players that people may not know by name but they almost have heard of him through one of his nicknames. The Louisville Slugger.
Yes, the bat is named after Browning.
Browning started his Major League career with the Louisville Eclipse of the American Association in 1882. The American Association aka the Beer & Whiskey league would be similar to what the American League is today. It's not to be confused with the minor league with the same name that started a few years after the AA major league folded in 1891. He is usually associated with the Louisville Eclipse\Colonels which Browning played for from 1882 to 1889. His first name was actually Louis, was called Pete, had a nickname of the Gladiator and was also nicknamed the Louisville Slugger. Catch all that?
Pete Browning is the uncle of Tod Browning, director of 1931's Dracula with Bela Lugosi. Tod Browning also directed Freaks. Browning also directed some movies with Lon Chaney, Senior not Junior.
Over his 13 year career, Browning has 1646 hits, 46 HR, 659 RBI and a .341 BA.
Cave Hill Cemetery, section A lot 549 -w1/2 in Louisville, Kentucky. This marker was a replacement marker for Browning's original one. On his original marker, Louis was spelled as Lewis. The marker is currently at the Louisville Slugger factory in Louisville.
Hillerich & Bradsby in 2004.
