Ike Brown

Isaac (Ike) Brown (April 13, 1942 - May 17, 2001) was an infielder/outfielder in the Negro leagues and a utilityman in Major League Baseball for the Detroit Tigers from 1969 through 1974. He batted and threw right-handed.

In a six-season major league career, Brown posted a .256 batting average with 20 home runs and 65 RBI in 280 games played.

A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Brown was obtained by Detroit from the Negro league Kansas City Monarchs in 1961. He had originally signed with the Cardinals for $800.

Brown spent eight years in the minor leagues, making it to the majors in 1969 after hitting .356 of that season for Triple-A Toledo and hitting two home runs against the Tigers during an exhibition game. His first major league hit was a home run at Yankee Stadium.

In the minors, Brown once played all nine positions in a single game. For Detroit, he was the consummate utilityman playing in all infield and outfield positions except center field, though he once referred to himself as a "designated sitter." Brown was often called on to pinch-hit, batting .320 in that role between 1970 and 1971. He also contributed to the Tigers' American League East title in 1972, collecting a hit and two RBI in two at-bats against Oakland.

Although mostly a part-time player with Detroit, Brown became a popular and recognizable figure in Motown because of his trademark glasses and unusually burly build. He was often mistakenly identified as the brother of roommate...
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