Brooklyn, New York City, Tommy Brown was the last living player who played the last player who played before 1948 and during World War II.
Sadly, he lost his life due to complications of a fall at a rehabilitation facility on January 15, 2025, leaving his wife, Charlene, and four children.
Highlights
- Tommy Brown’s wife, son, daughters, sisters, and close friends survive him.
- He lost his life at 97 due to complications of a fall at a rehabilitation facility on January 15, 2025.
- His daughter told the Associated Press that Tommy had a nice life and loved his sports.
Thomas Michael Brown was the youngest non-pitcher player in a major league game. He played shortstop with his hometown Brooklyn Dodgers at the age of 16.
Dodgers signed him after a 1943 tryout, and he spent his first four months of the 1944 season with Newport News of the Class B Piedmont League.
He spent 1946 in the United States Army and returned to the team with a set lineup that included Baseball Hall of Fame shortstop Pee Wee Reese in 1947.
Thomas was a utility player for the remainder of his MLB career. He played 21 games as a first baseman, 24 as a second baseman, 50 as a third baseman, 94 as an outfielder, and 66 games as a shortstop.
The Dodgers traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies in June 1951, but the Phillies sold his contract to the Chicago Cubs more than a year later. Later, he retired in 1959.
Tommy Brown’s Family Mourns His Tragic Demise
Tommy Brown was married to Ellen Brown and built a loving family. They have two children, Paula Brown Caplice and Bill.
Paula told the Associated Press that Tommy had a nice life and loved his sports.
R.I.P. Tommy Brown 1927-2025 #Dodgers #Cubs #Phillies #MLB pic.twitter.com/qe8KogkJGl
— kelly Hammond (@kellyHammo71824) January 15, 2025
Paula always called her father every August 20, asking him what had happened that day.
He said, ‘Ah, yes, I hit my first home run. The Dodgers signed Preacher Roe a few years later. My dad joked his home run ability went down when Preacher Roe signed. They became good friends.
Paula Brown Caplice
She recalled her father telling about a petition that circulated among several white Dodgers players protesting the addition of Robinson, who was Black.
Her mother, Ann, and Robinson’s wife, Rachel, had become good friends.
He said, I’m not signing anything like that. I thought that was pretty standup for a 20-year-old on a club with a lot of senior players trying to bully. That told me who he really was.
Paula Brown Caplice
Furthermore, Tommy had several ups and downs in his personal life. His first marriage ended in divorce, and his second wife preceded him in death.
Nonetheless, Tommy’s wife, Charlene, son, Bill, daughters Paula, Michele, and Pamela, as well as sisters, close friends, and family, survive him.
Tommy Brown Was The Last Living Person
On January 15, 2025, Tommy Brown died from complications of a fall at a rehabilitation facility in Altamonte Springs. He was at the age of 97.
His eldest daughter, Paula, said that he had broken his hip and arm during the fall.
RIP TOMMY BROWN
— Rocco Constantino (@OfficialMLBRFC) January 15, 2025
Brown was the last living MLB player who was active during WW2.
He became the youngest player to hit a HR when he connected off Preacher Roe in 1945 at the age of 17!
Brown debuted in 1944 at 16 years old.
There are now just 4 living former Brooklyn Dodgers. pic.twitter.com/SITp7qgNKQ
Tommy lived in Brentwood and Altamonte Springs, Florida, after his retirement.
He was one of four major league players still living who played during the 1940s decade. The other three are Ron Teasley, Bill Greason, and Bobby Shantz.
After his tragic demise, Bobby, who is 99 as of 2025, remains the last living major league player who was active during the 1940s.
He stood 6 foot and 1 inch tall and was nicknamed Buckshot because of his often erratic throws at shortstop. He had a .241 career batting average with 31 home runs and 159 RBIs.
Additional Information
- Born on December 6, 1927, Tommy Brown dropped out of school at 12 and started working as a dockworker with his uncle.
- He became the youngest player in MLB history to hit a home run on August 20, 1945, a record that still stands.
- He played nine years in Major League Baseball in the 1940s and early 1950s.
- After retirement, he worked at a Ford plant until his retirement in 1993.
