Thanks for adding that sad fact. For today's entry I will first ask one of my favorite barroom trivia questions, guaranteed to win a round: Who was the first black HOF player to hit a home run in the American League? The obvious answer would have to be Larry Doby, but in 1947.... At Sportsman's Park, in his final big league AB pinch-hitter Willard Brown of the Browns becomes the first black player to a hit home run in the American League. The historic homer, an inside-the-park job off future Hall of Fame hurler Hal Newhouser, helps the Browns beat the Tigers, 6-5. Who was Willard Brown? Brown was picked up in the last weeks of the season after being spotted by a Browns scout at a KC Monarch's game . The 32 year old Willard must have had one helluva game as he was picked over several younger and better players to integrate the Browns. But his play was unremarkable and he was benched. Not expecting to play, Brown didn't bring his bats to the season finale and had to borrow one. He returned to the Negro Leagues, where he knocked around for 3 more years. It was on the strength of that single AB that a committy headed by Buck O'Neil got him enshrined in the HOF. Larry Doby hit a ton of homers in his long career, but none in his '47 rookie year.