Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Willard Brown began his professional baseball career when he joined the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American League in 1934. Brown was an elite power hitter and led that league with homeruns in consecutive seasons in 1942 and 1943. His homerun streak was interrupted only when he joined the Army to serve in Europe during World War II.

While serving in France, Brown and other baseball players serving in the Army found ways to continue playing the sport they loved. Soldiers formed teams based off Army units and deployment zones. Brown and other Negro League stars played on an integrated team and helped lead their team to victory in a warzone championship.

After the war, Brown returned to the Monarchs and picked up right where he left off – having the second-best batting average in the league in 1946.

After Jackie Robinson broke the racial barrier in 1947, Brown signed with the St. Louis Browns. There he became the first black player to hit a homerun in the American League.

To top off an already impressive career, Brown went on to win two Triple Crowns in the Puerto Rican Winter League – having led the league in batting average, homeruns, and RBIs (runners batted in).

Brown was an elite and natural ballplayer. His speed and his raw power earned him the nicknames “Ese Hombre” and “Home Run.” He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.

Today, Willard Brown rests in Houston National Cemetery. His plaque in the Hall of Fame tells the story of his impressive career as baseball player. But his humble headstone at Houston National Cemetery tells the story of service to his country as a soldier in World War II.

Willard Brown in his St. Louis Browns uniform.  He played briefly for the Browns in 1947.

This is a photo of Willard Brown in his St Louis Browns uniform

Willard Brown's plaque in the Baseball hall of fame, where he was elected in 2006.

Photo of Willard Brown's Hall of Fame plaque

WILLARD BROWN

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