Primer Dugout (and link of the day) 3-28-2012

Washington Times, March 28, 1912:

Bundy Brief, the star outfielder of Traverse City team, who was sold to the St. Louis Americans last fall for $300, started for St. Louis last Friday morning to report. On reaching Chicago he became homesick and arrived home Saturday evening. It was the first time he had ever been away from home. He wrote to Bobby Wallace, the manager of the Browns, that he would not be able to report, as it is too far away from home.

“Mr. Wallace?  This is Bunny.  Yeah, the outfielder from Michigan.  Hey, listen, I don’t really want to play in the big leagues and hit against Johnson, Bender, Walsh, and Wood.  I’d rather just hang out in Traverse City.  Thanks though.”

Brief spent most of 1912 in Traverse City, eventually making his MLB debut with the Browns in September.  He didn’t stick in the majors, but played 16 seasons in the American Association and PCL, hitting .331 with 342 minor league homers.