Tommy Brown, notably recognized as the youngest player to ever hit a home run in Major League Baseball history and the last surviving member of the 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers team featuring Jackie Robinson, passed away at the age of 97. His death occurred on Wednesday at a rehabilitation facility in Altamonte Springs, Florida, as confirmed by his eldest daughter, Paula Brown Caplice, who mentioned that he had suffered a broken hip and arm due to a fall.

Paula reflected on her father’s life, stating, “He had a nice life and he loved his sports,” during a phone interview.

Born on December 6, 1927, in Brooklyn, New York, Tommy Brown began his professional career after signing with the Dodgers following a tryout in 1943. He spent the early part of the 1944 season with the minor leagues before making a significant debut at just 16 years and 241 days old on August 3, 1944, when he took the field as a shortstop against the Chicago Cubs. His appearance occurred during World War II when major league teams were often short-handed due to the draft. This milestone made Brown the youngest non-pitcher to participate in a major league game, with only Joe Nuxhall debuting at a younger age as a left-handed pitcher.

Brown’s first big league hit was a double in a game the Dodgers unfortunately lost. However, on August 20, 1945, he made history by hitting a home run against Preacher Roe of the Pittsburgh Pirates, achieving this at the age of 17 years and 257 days, a record that endures today. The lone run for the Dodgers in that game came from his home run in an 11-1 defeat. His daughter shared that she would often call her father every August 20 to celebrate this memorable event, to which he would fondly recall, “Ah, yes, I hit my first home run.” She humorously mentioned a conversation about Preacher Roe, stating that they became good friends after Roe signed with the Dodgers a few years later.

Just five days later, Brown hit another home run, this time against New York Giants pitcher Adrián Zabala, contributing to an 8-6 victory for the Dodgers. These two home runs were the only ones he hit during the 1945 season, where he finished with a batting average of .245 and 19 RBIs. The following year, in 1946, he served in the U.S. Army.

Returning to the Dodgers in 1947, Brown was part of a groundbreaking team that included Robinson, who broke the color barrier in baseball that same year. His daughter recounted a notable moment when some players in the clubhouse circulated a petition opposing Robinson’s inclusion in the team. Brown chose not to sign it, displaying considerable integrity for a 20-year-old among more senior players. This story reflects his character, as she noted, “That told me who he really was.” Moreover, she noted a friendship that developed between her mother and Robinson’s wife, Rachel.

Brown’s postseason experience includes a brief appearance as a pinch hitter in the 1949 World Series, though he did not record a hit in his two at-bats as the Dodgers fell to the New York Yankees. “We didn’t like the Yankees in our house,” Paula commented with a hint of humor.

Throughout his MLB career, Brown showcased his versatility on the field, serving as a utility player. Over his career, he played in numerous positions across games, including 166 at shortstop and 94 in the outfield. In June 1951, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies and subsequently had his contract sold to the Chicago Cubs a year later. Brown’s major league tenure concluded at the age of 25 in 1953, although he continued to play in the minors until 1959 before officially retiring. His career statistics include a batting average of .241, accumulating 31 home runs and 159 RBIs throughout his time in the Majors.

With the passing of Tommy Brown, the last living major league player from the 1940s is now Bobby Shantz, who is 99 years old. Brown is survived by his wife, Charlene, and his children, including daughters Michele and Pamela, and son Bill. His first marriage ended in divorce, and his second wife passed away prior to him.