Tommy Brown, the final living player from the groundbreaking 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers team, has passed away at 97.

His remarkable journey through baseball, intertwined with some of the sport’s most pivotal moments, leaves a legacy that won’t be forgotten.

A Baseball Dream Born in Brooklyn

Born in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn in 1927, Tommy Brown grew up a stone’s throw from the team he would one day play for.

At just 16, he earned a spot on the Dodgers’ roster in 1944, making his Major League debut at Ebbets Field against the Chicago Cubs.

It was a game to remember—Brown hit a double, marking the start of a career that would make history.

At the time, he was the youngest non-pitcher to ever play in a major league game, following 15-year-old pitcher Joe Nuxhall.

The following year, at only 17 years and 257 days old, Brown smashed a home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates, setting a record that still stands today as the youngest player ever to homer in the MLB.

A Brief Pause for Service

In 1946, Brown put his baseball career on hold to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Upon his return, he rejoined the Dodgers in time for the monumental 1947 season—a year that changed baseball forever.

Standing with Jackie Robinson

That season, Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier, a moment that faced both celebration and resistance.

When some teammates circulated a petition opposing Robinson’s promotion, Brown, just 20 at the time, refused to sign it.

According to his daughter, Paula Brown Caplice, this moment showed his integrity and courage: “He said, ‘I’m not signing anything like that.’ That told me who he really was.”

Brown’s wife, Ann, also formed a friendship with Robinson’s wife, Rachel, highlighting the bonds that grew within the team despite external pressures.

A World Series Journey

The 1947 season also marked Brown’s first World Series appearance.

Although the Dodgers fell to the New York Yankees in seven games, it was a momentous experience for the young utility player.

Brown returned to the World Series with Brooklyn in 1949, but once again, the Yankees emerged victorious.

A Career That Came Full Circle

Brown remained with the Dodgers until 1951 before being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies.

After a stint with the Phillies and later the Chicago Cubs, his Major League career concluded in 1953 at the age of 25.

Over his MLB tenure, Brown achieved a .241 batting average, with 31 home runs and 159 RBIs.

Though his time in the majors was short-lived, Brown continued playing in the minor leagues until 1959.

After retiring from baseball, he transitioned to a new career, working at a Ford plant in Tennessee until his retirement in 1993.

A Legacy That Lives On

Tommy Brown’s story reflects a lifetime of perseverance, integrity, and love for the game.

His daughter Paula fondly recalls calling him every August 20 to reminisce about his record-setting home run.

“He’d always say, ‘Ah, yes, I hit my first home run.’”

Survived by his children Paula, Michele, Pamela, and Bill, Brown’s passing marks the end of an era.

He was not only the last living member of the 1947 Dodgers but also the final MLB player to have played during World War II.

His contributions to baseball and his steadfast support for inclusivity leave an enduring impact.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn