Willard Brown

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Posted By: Ryan Christoff

One of the greatest sluggers of all time would finally be getting the recognition he deserves were it not for the misplaced outrage of former SABR member Keith Olbermann and others over the non-election of fellow Kansas City Monarch, Buck O'Neil.

Here is a quote from Buck, himself, on Brown: "Willard Brown could do all the things in baseball---hit, run, field, throw and hit for power. He could also bunt, and sometimes would pass up a perfect home run pitch in order to bunt and give the fans a show by beating it out. But Willard was like Hank Aaron, you always thought he could do a little more. Both Brown and Aaron were so talented, they didn't look as if they were hustling. Everything looked so easy for them. This was the difference between Willard Brown and Jackie Robinson. Jackie looked like he was doing something, Willie Mays looked like he was doing something. Hank never did. And this was Willard. Everything came so easy for him."

While we are all disappointed that Buck O'Neil was not elected, we can take solace in the fact that he must feel great joy and pride knowing "Home Run" Brown is now a HOFer.

Let's see those Willard Brown items!

I'll start with a 1950-51 Toleteros card:



-Ryan