Gnats to honor Brissie

Savannah, GA - The Sand Gnats will honor former Savannah Indians pitcher Lou Brissie with a pre-game ceremony at the game on Sunday, Sept. 2 against the Columbus Catfish. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. During the ceremony the Sand Gnats will retire his jersey, No. 3.

Brissie led the 1947 Savannah Indians to the South Atlantic League Championship. That season he went 23-5 with a 1.91 ERA and set the SAL strikeout record with 278. Savannah went 85-66 that summer. Following the season, he joined the Philadelphia Athletics and went on to pitch six more years in the majors including an all-star nomination in 1949.

Brissie's story is even more amazing considering he was awarded the Purple Heart for his service in World War II. In December of 1944, while a member of the U.S. Army infantry serving in Italy, he suffered a severe injury that nearly cost him his left leg. A shell from artillery fire shattered his left shin and broke his left ankle and right foot. During his subsequent professional baseball career, he pitched with a brace on his left leg.

In 1994 Brissie was elected as a charter member of the South Atlantic League Hall of Fame. The list of charter members includes Hank Aaron, Ty Cobb and Nolan Ryan among others.

"Lou Brissie was not just a Savannah baseball hero but a true American hero," Sand Gnats Assistant General Manager Matt Barry. "A lasting tribute to what he did here is long overdue."

During the summer of 1947, it was not uncommon to see crowds of over 5,000 fans at Grayson Stadium on days Brissie pitched. Attendance routinely doubled when Brissie was on the mound.

The Sept. 2 game will be immediately followed by fireworks. For tickets and a complete schedule visit www.sandgnats.com or call the Sand Gnats office at 912-351-9150.