September 27, 2013

William James (Gates) Brown

September 27, 2013
Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers Player (1963 – 1975)
Detroit Tigers Coach (1978 - 1984)
2x World Series Champion

William James (Gates) Brown

Detroit Tigers Player (1963 – 1975)
Detroit Tigers Coach (1978 – 1984)

Gates Brown was born in Crestline, Ohio. While playing baseball at the Ohio State Reformatory, Brown was encouraged by one of the guards to pursue a Major League career. While a few teams showed interest, Brown agreed to sign with the Detroit Tigers, spending his entire 13-year career with the team. While he played several positions during his career, he was best known as a pinch-hitter. He was extremely valuable as a pinch-hitter for the Tigers in their 1968 World Series championship season. Brown retired as an active player following the 1975 season, only to find his way back to the team as a hitting coach from 1978 – 1984, helping the Tigers win the 1984 World Series. Gates Brown was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. He passed away on September 27, 2013 at 74 years of age.

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