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.
Career highlights include:
2 home runs and 4 RBIs against George Brunet and the Washington Senators (May 23, 1970)
six 3-hit games…the most impressive being two singles and a home run, good for 4 RBIs, vs. the California Angels (May 12, 1971)
hit a combined .400 (20-for-50), with 7 home runs, against All-Stars Jim Kaat, Gary Peters, and Wilbur Wood
At the time of his retirement from the Tigers in 1974, Brown was one of the last alumni of the Negro leagues (along with Hank Aaron and Willie Mays) still active in Major League Baseball. Brown died from cancer in Memphis, Tennessee, at the age of 59.
Ike Brown – 1973 Topps #633
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