Ike Brown facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ike Brown |
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1972 Topps baseball card
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| Utility player | |||
| Born: April 13, 1942 Memphis, Tennessee |
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| Died: May 17, 2001 (aged 59) Memphis, Tennessee |
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| debut | |||
| June 17, 1969, for the Detroit Tigers | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| May 4, 1974, for the Detroit Tigers | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .256 | ||
| Home runs | 20 | ||
| Runs batted in | 65 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Isaac "Ike" Brown was a talented baseball player. He played in the Negro Leagues and later in Major League Baseball (MLB). Ike was a utility player, meaning he could play many different positions. He played for the Detroit Tigers from 1969 to 1974. Ike was special because he was the last player from the Negro Leagues to reach the Major Leagues.
During his six years in MLB, Ike had a batting average of .256. He hit 20 home runs and helped his team score 65 runs. He played in 280 games.
Contents
Early Life and Baseball Start
Ike Brown was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He started his baseball journey in the Negro Leagues. In 1961, the Detroit Tigers got him from the Kansas City Monarchs. Before that, he had signed with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Journey to the Major Leagues
Ike spent eight years playing in the minor leagues. These are leagues where players develop their skills before reaching the MLB. He finally made it to the Major Leagues in 1969. That year, he was hitting really well for the Toledo Mud Hens. He even hit two home runs against the Tigers in a practice game! His very first hit in the Major Leagues was a home run at Yankee Stadium.
A True Utility Player
Ike Brown was known as a "utilityman." This means he could play almost any position on the field. In the minor leagues, he once played all nine positions in a single game! For the Detroit Tigers, he played every infield and outfield position except center field.
He was also a great pinch-hitter. A pinch-hitter is a player who bats in place of another player. Between 1970 and 1971, Ike hit .320 when pinch-hitting. He also helped the Tigers win the American League East title in 1972. He got a hit and two RBIs in a game against the Oakland Athletics.
A Popular Figure
Even though Ike was mostly a part-time player, he became very popular in Detroit. People recognized him because of his special glasses and strong build. Many fans mistakenly thought he was the brother of his teammate, Gates Brown, but they were not related. Gates once said that Ike would always wake up saying, "It's a beautiful day," no matter what the weather was like.
Retirement and Legacy
Ike Brown retired from the Tigers in 1974. At that time, he was one of the last players from the Negro Leagues still active in Major League Baseball. Another famous player from the Negro Leagues who was still active was Hank Aaron.
Ike Brown passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, in 2001. He was 59 years old.
