Tommy Brown, the final surviving member of the groundbreaking 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers team, has passed away at the age of 97.
Brown died Wednesday at a rehabilitation center in Altamonte Springs, a suburb of Orlando, Florida, after a fall that left him with a broken hip and arm.
His passing marks the end of an era for one of baseball’s most influential teams.
A Brief but Impactful Career
Born in Brooklyn in 1927, Tommy Brown made his mark in the world of baseball at a young age.
He joined the Dodgers in 1944, making his major league debut on August 3, 1944, against the Chicago Cubs at Ebbets Field.
Just 17 years old at the time, Brown became the youngest non-pitcher to play in a major league game.
In his debut, he hit a double, making an instant impact.
A year later, on August 20, 1945, Brown made history once again when he hit a home run off Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Preacher Roe.
At just 17 years and 257 days old, Brown became the youngest player ever to hit a home run in Major League Baseball, a record that still stands today.
A True Stand-Up Player
Brown’s character and courage were evident early in his career.
When Jackie Robinson, the first Black player in Major League Baseball, was promoted to the Dodgers in 1947, it caused tension in the clubhouse.
Some players protested Robinson’s inclusion with a petition, but Brown refused to sign it, demonstrating his strong stance against racism.
This decision, made by a 20-year-old player, showed his integrity and made a lasting impression on his daughter, Paula Brown Caplice.
World Series Appearances and a Career in Decline
Brown played in two World Series with the Dodgers—1947 and 1949—losing both times to the New York Yankees.
In 1951, Brown was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, and later his contract was sold to the Chicago Cubs. By 1953, at just 25 years old, his major league career came to an end.
Brown finished his MLB career with a .241 batting average, 31 home runs, and 159 RBIs.
He continued to play in the minor leagues until 1959 before retiring from professional baseball.
A Life After Baseball
Following his retirement from baseball, Brown moved to Tennessee, where he worked at a Ford plant until his retirement in 1993.
He is survived by his three daughters, Paula, Michele, Pamela, and his son, Bill.
With Brown’s passing, only one player from the 1940s remains alive: Bobby Shantz, a pitcher who began his career with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1949.
Brown’s death signifies the end of an era for not just the Dodgers, but for baseball in general, as he was the last living player from a team that played during World War II.
A Lasting Legacy
Tommy Brown will always be remembered for his contributions to the game of baseball, his role in breaking the color barrier alongside Jackie Robinson, and his unwavering character both on and off the field.
His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of players and fans alike.
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