The last living member of the 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers, Tommy “Buckshot” Brown has died, according to Ben Lindberg on X. He was 97.Brown died from pneumonia that developed while he was recovering from a fall.
He was the last surviving teammate of Jackie Robinson.
Tommy Brown, Last Surviving Player of the Historic 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers Team, Has Died
Brooklyn Dodger Tommy “Buckshot” Brown died this morning, after contracting pneumonia while convalescing from a fall, his daughter told me. He was 97, the last living member of the 1947 Dodgers, and the #1 person in the world I wanted to interview. (He was pretty private.) RIP.
— Ben Lindbergh (@BenLindbergh) January 15, 2025
Born and Bred in Brooklyn
Brown was born two miles from Ebbets Field. A school dropout at the age of 12, he made his Major League debut at the age of 16. Brown played shortstop and had a strong arm, but his aim wasn’t always accurate. Thus, Dodgers manager Leo Durocher gave Brown his nickname.
Record-Setter
Due to men being called away to serve in the military during World War II, Brown became the youngest position player at 16 years and seven months old, to play in a Major League game. The young shortstop was also the youngest player to hit a home run on August 20. 1945 off Pittsburg Pirates pitcher Preacher Roe. (Ironically, Roe would become an integral part of the Brooklyn Dodgers, known as “The Boys of Summer”). A record that still stands today.He spent eight years in the major leagues, but his tenure was interrupted by his service in World War II.
After completing his military service, Brown rejoined the Dodgers in 1947, but the shortstop position had been commandeered by Pee Wee Reese. As a result, Brown played at first base and right field before being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1951. He finished his career with the Chicago Cubs before retiring in 1953,
The Number 5
Brown wore the number in tribute to the New York Yankees Joe DiMaggio. Brown played against his idol and doppelgänger in the 1949 World Series.
With his death, Tommy “Buckshot” Brown severs a link to a historic time in baseball history. A history that should never be forgotten.
Main Photo Credits: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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