At age 25, Brecheen had a cup of coffee with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1940m, but he wasn't able to make his mark with that opportunity. The southpaw would, however, emerge in 1943, and while the Majors were depleted due to World War II, he made the most of this circumstance.
Brecheen came of age in 1944, winning 16 Games against 5 Losses, and helping the Redbirds win the National League Pennant. The Oklahoman won a Game in that year’s World Series, which would see St. Louis defeat the crosstown Browns for the Title. Brecheen had an even better regular season in 1944, with a 2.52 ERA (3rd in the NL) and a sparkling winning percentage of .789 (15-4).
Brecheen won 15 Games again in 1946 (albeit against 15 losses), though he sported an even better ERA of 2.24. That year, the Cardinals returned to the World Series, and Brecheen was astounding, winning all three starts and allowing only one run in 20 Innings. St. Louis won the World Series (beating Boston), and had there been a World Series MVP issued in '46, and it would have been offered to Brecheen on a silver platter.
1946 was the last World Series win for Brecheen, but his best regular seasons were still ahead of him. In 1947 and 1948, he was an All-Star, with his best season coming in the latter, where he led the NL in ERA (2.24). Strikeouts (149), ERA+ (182), WHIP (1.037) and SO/BB (3.04). Brecheen was fifth in MVP voting that season, his highest vote tally.
Declining after 1949, he played with the Cardinals until 1952, playing one last year in the Majors with the St. Louis Browns. Overall, Brecheen had a record of 133-92.
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