Three-Finger Brown

Mordecai Brown (1876-1949), a member of Edward Dobbins Lodge No. 164, Lawrenceville, Illinois, was Elected to Baseball's Hall of Fame in 1949.  He was a standout Chicago Cubs pitcher who won 20 or more games for six straight seasons.  In 1908 as a fielding pitcher he did not commit a single error and pitched a record four shutout games in a row.  Prior to becoming a major-leaguer, he was injured in a coal mining accident which severed the index finger and severely deformed the middle finger on his pitching hand.  Amazingly, he amassed his spectacular pitching record with the missing finger and deformed hand, earning him his nickname, "Three Finger" Brown.

Interestingly, in a time when physical deformities might block someone from Masonic membership, Brother Brown's petition required review by a District Deputy Grand Master, who had to approve his admission to the fraternity.