Garver became the only 20th-century pitcher to win 20 games in a season for a team which lost 100 when he went 20-12 for the 1951 Browns. He led the AL in complete games (24) that season, as he had the previous year (22). His $25,000 contract in 1952 made him the highest-paid Brown in history. Garver had batted .407 in the Ohio State League in 1944, so it was no surprise when he batted .305 in 1951 to pace the Browns. He hit sixth on occasion and had a .218 lifetime BA with seven HR. His zeal for hitting was arrested midway through his career when Early Wynn nearly beaned him. Garver lost a league-high 17 with St. Louis in 1949. He had very little trouble getting Mickey Mantle out, but found Vic Wertz a particular thorn in his side.
