Fun Cards: “Baseball Immortals” Willard Brown

The only player selected by the Special Committee on the Negro Leagues in 2006 to play in the major leagues, Willard Brown‘s short tenure with the St. Louis Browns was less than impressive. But it was not his time with the Browns that earned him a spot among baseball’s immortals; rather, his excellence with the Kansas City Monarchs ensured his election. He was a speedy outfielder with a powerful bat, who could lead the league in home runs and “steal second base standing up,” according to Buck O’Neil. He served in the United States Army during World War II in 1944-1945. In 1947, Brown became the first black ballplayer to hit a home run in the American League.

That wraps up the posting for today…18 new Hall of Famers in 2006. Wow.

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