WILLARD BROWN

One of the greatest home run hitters not in the Hall of Fame is Home Run Brown. Nicknamed by man-child Josh Gibson for his propensity at outslugging Josh in their head-to-head confrontations, Brown passed away August 8, 1996 following the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies for Willie Foster.

In 1935, Brown was discovered by K C. Monarch owner J.L. Wilkinson and offered a $250 bonus with a monthly salary of $125, plus a dollar a day for meal money. In the mode of Clemente and Berra, he was a notorious bad-ball hitter. Using a 40-ounce weapon, he injected fear in all pitchers who tested him. He could sweat a pitcher better than a chilled bottle of pop sitting in the sun.

The Shreveport, LA native was black baseball's premier home run hitter in the western-based Negro American League. He led the NAL in dingers seven times, 1937, '38, '41, '42, '43, '47 and '48. Only Josh Gibson won more home run titles with nine crowns. Although known primarily for his power, Brown won three batting titles with outstanding averages of 371 in 1937, .356 in 1938 and .333 in 1941. He would have won two more batting tiles if not for teammate Buck O'Neil's ascension to the throne in 1940 and 1946.

Brown, Turkey Stearnes and Mule Suttles are the greatest home run hitters in black baseball not in the Hall of Fame today. According to Tommy Lasorda, "Willard Brown was one of the greatest hitters I ever saw."

In Puerto Rico, he smashed 27 home runs in 60 games in 1948, erasing Josh Gibson's old record of 13. His seasonal record still stands, with his closest challenge coming from Reggie Jackson's 20 home runs in 1971. From 1947 to 1949, Brown won three straight home run and batting titles. His batting averages for the period were astonishing' .390, .452, and .354. It was in Puerto Rico that he earned the nickname "Ese Hombre", which translates to "The Man" in English.

In 1947, The Man joined the St. Louis Browns. He became the first black player to hit a home run in the A.L., but after only 21 games and hitting a frustrating .179, he was released. The struggling Browns, who two years earlier had signed one-armed outfielder Pete Gray before considering a black athlete, were not satisfied with Willard's chilly playing style.

His lackadaisical style of play may have lead to his early release from the St. Louis club. A former player, Ouincy Trouppe, once said, "He could have been a great ball player. He could hit the long ball, but he was so doggone triflin'! He would walk to the outfield...sometimes causing the pitcher to wait to throw the first pitch. He could hit the ball to right field, center field, left field. He was a great hitter. He didn't have a great arm, but better than average."

But teammate and later manager Buck O'Neil recounted, "Willard was so talented, he didn't look as if he was hustling. Willard Brown stole bases standing up; he didn't slide because he didn't have to." Buck added, "Willard Brown could do all the things in baseball---hit, run, field, throw and hit for power. He could also bunt, and sometimes would pass up a perfect home run pitch in order to bunt and give the fans a show by beating it out. But Willard was like Hank Aaron, you always thought he could do a little more. Both Brown and Aaron were so talented, they didn't look as if they were hustling. Everything looked so easy for them. This was the difference between Willard Brown and Jackie Robinson. Jackie looked like he was doing something, Willie Mays looked like he was doing something. Hank never did. And this was Willard. Everything came so easy for him."

Yes, Willard Brown was laid back, and easy-going. He played without emotion, but beneath the surface opposing pitchers knew he had the moral character of a rattlesnake. Sneaky and deadly!

During Brown's final years, he suffered from Alzheimers, while surviving poverty in Houston.

His career can be summed up by a 1943 editorial from Rollo Wilson, noted writer for the Philadelphila Tribune: "After watching him for three years, I am ready to concede that Willard Brown of the Monarchs is one of the really great outfielders of the times and that he ranks with the best. In addition to being a long-ball hitter, he ranges far and fast afield and has a better than average throwing arm. I have seen no one except Babe Ruth hit a longer home run in Shibe Park than the smash Brown delivered there the other evening."

Any comparison to the legendary Babe Ruth only suggests serious consideration for this great hitter to join his slugging counterparts in Cooperstown.