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Lot # 696: Willard Brown Twice-Signed Index Card (PSA)

Starting Bid: $300.00

Bids: 12 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Fall Classic 2022",
which ran from 11/20/2022 7:00 PM to
12/10/2022 10:00 PM



Willard Brown was a major star in the Negro American League for the Kansas City Monarchs. Known as "Home Run" Brown, this Hall of Fame outfielder hit home runs with more frequency that the much better-known Josh Gibson. Presented is a Willard Brown double-signed index card. Brown was a great player. Hall of Famer Buck O'Neil said of Brown, "He was the most natural ballplayer I ever saw. He'd steal second base standing up. He was a great talent." Brown led the Negro American League in hits for eight seasons and in RBIs for seven years. Willard broke into the Major Leagues' only months after Jackie Robinson's big-league debut when Brown joined the American League's St. Louis Browns in 1947, and on July 20th of that year, he and teammate Hank Thompson made history when they became the first two African American players to play in the same game in the American League. On August 13th that year, Brown hit a home run to become the first African American to homer in the American League. Most likely because of the pressures of racism, Brown hit only .179 in his brief time (21 games) in the Major Leagues in 1947. Yet, freed from racial pressures, Brown flourished. He won the Puerto Rican Winter League Triple Crown twice, and he hit .354 in the Mexican League in 1940. He also served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He continued to show great power when he returned to play again in the Negro American League. The 3x5" index card has some minor foxing around the edges but is overall in Excellent condition. Brown has signed each side of the card in ink. His signature is big and bold. On one side of the card, Brown has added an inscription to his signature. The inscription reads, "Sorry I could not(?) help." The double-signed card comes with a PSA/DNA certification of the autographs as AUTHENTIC. The card represents a good opportunity to obtain two autographs from a Hall of Famer who was one of the Negro Leagues' greatest stars.

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