Lou Brissie – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Lou Brissie’s story is honestly one of baseball’s most incredible examples of guts and determination. This tall, left-handed pitcher didn’t let devastating war injuries stop him from becoming a major league All-Star. He finally hung up his cleats in 1953.

He went from the battlefields of Italy to the mound at Yankee Stadium, and that journey really grabbed the attention of fans and players everywhere.

Brissie retired from Major League Baseball in September 1953 after a seven-year career. He pitched in 234 games, posted a 44-48 record, and notched 29 saves with the Philadelphia Athletics and Cleveland Indians. His final season stats showed a guy who gave everything he had to the game, even though his body was working against him in ways that would have ended most careers before they even started.

The South Carolina native’s retirement closed the book on one of baseball’s most inspiring figures.

This decorated World War II veteran didn’t have a typical path to pro baseball. He earned Purple Heart and Bronze Star medals, and made the All-Star team in 1949. Brissie’s life just kind of embodied the resilience of his whole generation.

He didn’t stop making a difference after baseball, either. He shaped youth baseball programs and inspired a ton of athletes who had their own struggles.

Who Was Lou Brissie?

Lou Brissie was a left-handed pitcher who didn’t let severe war injuries stop him from playing seven seasons in the majors from 1947 to 1953.

Born Leland Victor Brissie on June 5, 1924, in Anderson, South Carolina, he became famous as much for his courage and determination as for his baseball skills.

Early Life and Background

Lou Brissie grew up in South Carolina during the Great Depression. His full name was Leland Victor Brissie, and even as a kid, he showed real promise as a ballplayer.

At just 16, in 1940, Brissie pitched for Ware Shoals in a textile baseball league. That’s where legendary Philadelphia Athletics manager Connie Mack noticed him in 1941.

But Brissie’s dad wanted him to finish school before thinking about pro baseball. Looking back, that was a good call. It gave Lou time to grow both as a student and an athlete.

His early success in the textile league made it clear he had natural pitching talent. His left-handed delivery and competitive edge made him stand out from other young players in the area.

High School and College Baseball

Brissie went to Ware Shoals High School in South Carolina, where he kept working on his baseball skills. After graduation, he started at Presbyterian College to continue his education.

World War II interrupted his college days. Like so many young men back then, Brissie felt the need to serve his country.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in December 1942, putting his college baseball dreams on hold. That decision changed his life completely and almost cost him baseball for good.

Since he left early, Brissie never finished his degree at Presbyterian College. Still, his time there helped him build character and discipline.

Personality and Legacy

People knew Brissie for his determination and his refusal to quit. When Army doctors wanted to amputate his badly injured leg in 1944, he insisted, “I’m a ballplayer, you can’t take my leg.”

That stubbornness and belief in himself defined who he was. After he left baseball in 1953, he focused on helping others in all sorts of roles.

He served as National Director of the American Legion Baseball program, guiding young players. Brissie also worked on the President’s Physical Fitness Council and spent time as a baseball scout.

Even as he got older, he talked to veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, sharing his story and offering encouragement. Despite constant pain and needing crutches, he stayed active in veteran affairs.

Brissie passed away on November 25, 2013, at the Augusta VA Hospital in Augusta, Georgia. He was 89. His story still inspires both athletes and veterans.

Military Service and Heroism

Lou Brissie’s service in World War II nearly took his life and almost ended his baseball dreams. He suffered severe wounds from German artillery in Italy, but refused to let doctors amputate his leg. His recovery turned into one of the most amazing stories of courage in both military and sports history.

World War II and the 88th Infantry Division

Brissie joined the Army in December 1942, leaving Presbyterian College and his college baseball career behind. He served as a squad leader in G Company, 351st Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division.

Unlike some pro athletes who got cushy assignments during the war, Brissie actually fought on the front lines. The 88th Infantry Division faced brutal combat in the Italian campaign.

On December 7, 1944—three years after Pearl Harbor—Brissie’s unit got hit by a fierce German artillery attack in the Apennine Mountains near Florence. The sudden barrage killed or wounded most of the unit’s officers and several enlisted men.

Combat Injury and Recovery

A German shell exploded right near Brissie, causing catastrophic injuries. The blast broke both his feet and shattered his left tibia and shinbone into about 30 pieces. Shrapnel tore into his right shoulder, both hands, and both thighs.

Medics found him barely conscious, left for dead in the snow and mud. Army doctors wanted to amputate his mangled leg to save his life.

“You can’t take my leg off,” Brissie insisted. “I’m a ballplayer. I can’t play on one leg.” When doctors warned he might die, he just said, “Doc, I’ll take my chances.”

He spent two years recovering, going through 23 surgeries and 40 blood transfusions. Doctors pieced his leg back together with wire and metal plates. Throughout it all, Philadelphia Athletics owner Connie Mack kept writing letters to encourage him.

Military Honors and Recognitions

The Army awarded Brissie two Purple Hearts for his wounds. He also received the Bronze Star Medal for his service and bravery in Italy.

Military Decorations:

• Two Purple Hearts for wounds in combat
• Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service

Years later, Brissie got honored at the 2012 World Series with other surviving World War II veterans. He spent a lot of his later years visiting VA hospitals, offering comfort to wounded vets from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Brissie turned down Hollywood offers to make movies about his life. He didn’t consider himself a hero—he just felt “blessed,” since so many friends “never came home.”

Major League Baseball Career

Lou Brissie played seven seasons in the majors from 1947 to 1953. He finished with a 44-48 record, a 4.07 ERA, and 436 strikeouts. He became an All-Star pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics and wrapped up his career with the Cleveland Indians, all while dealing with those war injuries.

Signing with the Philadelphia Athletics

Connie Mack first noticed Brissie’s talent in 1941, when Brissie was just 16. But his dad made him finish school first.

After the war, Brissie signed with the Philadelphia Athletics on December 15, 1946, even though his leg was still in rough shape. Mack encouraged him to chase his dream of pitching in the majors.

The Athletics sent him to their minor league team in Savannah in the AA Southern League for the 1947 season. Brissie dominated there, winning 25 games and showing he was ready for the big leagues.

They called him up to Philadelphia later in 1947. On September 28, Brissie made his major league debut and finally reached his “life’s ambition” of pitching in the majors.

Career Highlights and All-Star Appearance

Brissie’s best years came with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1948 and 1949. In 1948, he went 14-10 and proved himself as a reliable starter.

His top season was 1949, when he went 16-11 and made his only All-Star team. He even pitched three innings for the American League in the All-Star Game that year.

The 1949 season was one of the A’s best after the war. Brissie anchored the rotation with Alex Kellner and Bobby Shantz, helping the team finish fifth.

Even though he pitched in constant pain, Brissie wore a metal brace on his leg every game. Fans in Philadelphia loved him for his grit and determination.

Notable Games and Performances

One of Brissie’s most unforgettable games was his 1948 season opener against the Boston Red Sox. Ted Williams hit a line drive that smashed into Brissie’s injured leg, knocking him to the ground.

Williams later described it like this: “I hit a ball back to the box, a real shot, whack, like a rifle clap. Down he goes, and everybody rushes out there.”

Brissie shook it off and kept pitching. He beat the Red Sox 4-2 and struck out Williams for the final out.

On July 19, 1948, Brissie gave up a historic home run to Pat Seerey—Seerey’s fourth of the game, tying a major league record at the time.

Cleveland Indians Years

The Athletics traded Brissie to the Cleveland Indians on April 30, 1951. The deal was part of a complicated three-way trade involving the Indians, Athletics, and Chicago White Sox.

That trade had bigger implications too. Cleveland utility player Minnie Miñoso went to the White Sox, becoming the first black major leaguer in Chicago history.

Brissie struggled during his time with Cleveland. He just couldn’t match the effectiveness he’d shown with the A’s.

He retired in September 1953 after two and a half seasons with the Indians. His final career line: 44 wins, 48 losses, 436 strikeouts, and a 4.07 ERA over seven seasons.

Retirement and Later Life

Lou Brissie stepped away from Major League Baseball in September 1953 after seven seasons, finishing up with the Cleveland Indians. After baseball, he took on roles that shaped the rest of his life, including work with American Legion Baseball and a few scouting gigs.

Reasons for Retirement in 1953

Brissie retired after spending his last two seasons with the Indians as a reliever. Cleveland had picked him up in a 1951 trade from the Philadelphia Athletics.

With the Indians, he pitched behind a rotation stacked with stars like Bob Feller, Bob Lemon, Early Wynn, and Mike Garcia.

His career numbers showed solid work—nothing flashy, but steady. Brissie finished with a 44-48 record and 29 saves in 234 games, and a 4.07 ERA.

The constant pain from his war injuries probably played a big part in his decision to retire. His rebuilt left leg needed ongoing care, and the grind of pro baseball just became too much.

By 1953, Brissie was 29 and had already blown past what most people thought was possible. Doctors once wanted to amputate his leg, so just making it seven years in the majors was pretty incredible.

Transition to Life After Baseball

Brissie found his next passion in youth baseball. He became the national director for American Legion Baseball, working with young players all over the country. That role really fit his personality and his drive to give back to the game.

He worked as a scout for both the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Braves, which kept him in the baseball world and let him spot new talent.

Later on, Brissie served on the President’s Physical Fitness Council. He also worked for a South Carolina state worker training agency, showing he cared about public service beyond just baseball.

His health declined over the years. In his later life, he needed crutches and lived with constant pain from his injuries. Even so, he stayed active with speaking gigs and veteran events.

Brissie died on November 25, 2013, at a veterans hospital in Augusta, Georgia. He was 89.

Contributions Beyond Baseball

After Lou Brissie retired from professional baseball in 1953, he threw himself into developing young players through American Legion Baseball. He also spent a lot of time supporting fellow veterans through different memorial efforts.

Role as National Director of American Legion Baseball

Brissie took on the job of national director for American Legion Baseball. He managed one of the country’s most important youth baseball programs, coordinating baseball activities across thousands of American Legion posts.

The American Legion Baseball program gave young players a place to grow their skills during the summer. Brissie’s leadership really helped the program keep its reputation as a stepping stone to college and pro baseball.

With his background as a major league pitcher, Brissie brought a unique perspective to player development. He truly got what young athletes needed to reach the next level.

The program welcomed players aged 15-19 from all over the United States. Under Brissie’s direction, American Legion Baseball kept producing future college stars and pro players.

Support for Veterans and Memorials

Brissie never lost his commitment to honoring military service. He stayed active in efforts to recognize veterans and keep their stories alive for future generations.

He got involved in the campaign to get “Shoeless” Joe Jackson into the Baseball Hall of Fame. That cause showed how much he cared about baseball history and fairness for players from the past.

Since he was a Purple Heart recipient himself, Brissie knew firsthand what wounded veterans went through. He used his platform to speak up for veteran affairs and memorial projects.

His story of overcoming combat injuries inspired other veterans dealing with disabilities. Brissie often talked about perseverance and why it mattered to support fellow service members.

Enduring Impact and Recognition

Lou Brissie’s legacy goes way beyond his 44-48 career record. He became a powerful symbol of resilience for disabled veterans and inspired so many people with his determination to beat the odds.

His story still pops up in baseball history and in veteran advocacy circles, even decades after he hung up his glove.

Influence on Baseball and Veterans

Brissie’s impact on baseball really wasn’t about the numbers. When he took the mound with that specially designed leg brace, he became a symbol of perseverance that fired up teammates and even opponents.

Eddie Joost, one of his Athletics teammates, once said, “Lou was courageous beyond belief. I admire him so much for what he did.”

After he retired in 1953, Brissie focused on youth baseball development. He spent eight years as national director of American Legion Baseball, helping shape the next generation of players.

His work with veterans mattered just as much to him. Brissie’s story gave hope to disabled veterans facing tough times.

He often spoke about his wartime service, telling people that his “best friends” came from those combat days.

The Baseball Hall of Fame honored him with the “Americanism Award” in Cooperstown. That award recognized not just his baseball career but also his dedication to youth development.

Media Coverage and Historical Legacy

People have kept Brissie’s remarkable story alive through tons of media coverage and historical records. Writers and historians still find his journey—from almost losing his leg to making it as an All-Star pitcher—pretty captivating.

Back in 2007, he showed up for “Duty, Honor, Country: When Baseball Went to War” at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Brissie described those three days as “the most extraordinary three days of my life.”

They honored him again before Game 2 of the 2012 World Series, along with other surviving World War II ballplayers. That moment really brought out how he was both a war hero and a pro athlete.

Writers have put together multiple biographies and articles about him, so people won’t forget what he did. When the South Atlantic League Hall of Fame inducted him in 1994, they celebrated what he’d accomplished in the minors before he made it to the majors.