Dick Brown – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Dick Brown’s baseball career ended suddenly in 1965. Doctors discovered a brain tumor, and at just 30 years old, he had to retire. The West Virginia native spent nine seasons in Major League Baseball as a catcher. He played for four teams: the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, and Baltimore Orioles.

Brown’s retirement closed the door on what looked like a promising career. He signed with Cleveland in 1953 after catching for future Hall of Famer Herb Score in high school. At 6-foot-2, Brown climbed through the minor leagues and built a reputation as a steady defensive player. He flashed some power too, hitting 62 home runs in his MLB career.

This story looks at Brown’s journey from a coal mining town to the big leagues. He fought for starting jobs and faced personal challenges that cut his time in pro baseball short. His experience shows both the dreams and harsh realities that many players lived through in baseball’s golden era of the 1950s and 1960s.

Early Life and Background

Richard Ernest Brown was born on January 17, 1935, in Shinnston, West Virginia. His parents, Raymond and Dora Mae Jones Brown, moved the family to Florida when Dick was seven.

In Florida, Dick developed his athletic skills alongside Herb Score at Lake Worth High School. That friendship would shape his future.

Family Origins and Upbringing

Dick Brown’s family had deep American roots. His great-grandfather, Henry W. Brown, served in the Union Army during the Civil War with West Virginia’s 12th Infantry Regiment.

Raymond Brown worked as a coal miner before the family made a big move in 1942. They left Shinnston for West Palm Beach, Florida, hoping the warmer weather would help Dora Mae’s arthritis.

A year later, the Browns settled in Lake Worth. Raymond started running a grocery store there, and Dick worked as a clerk by age 15.

Dick had a younger brother, Larry Brown, born on March 1, 1940. Larry eventually followed Dick into the big leagues, playing 12 years as an infielder from 1963 to 1974.

Education and Athletics at Lake Worth High School

Brown attended Lake Worth High but didn’t play baseball until his junior year. He waited until senior year to try football and basketball.

“I guess the reason I went out late was that I didn’t have enough ability. I was small, between 155 and 160,” Brown once said, admitting his late start in sports.

Still, Brown made an impact. He was named the outstanding athlete on Lake Worth’s basketball team in his senior year.

He began his baseball career as an outfielder and also pitched in his first year. After his junior year, American Legion coaches asked him to catch because the team needed someone behind the plate.

Brown’s senior season turned out to be historic. He caught for Herb Score, who would go on to become a Major League star. Together, they led Lake Worth to the 1952 Class A State High School championship. Brown hit .415 that season.

College Baseball at Florida State University

After high school, Brown received a baseball scholarship to Florida State University. Herb Score, heavily scouted, signed with the Cleveland Indians for a bonus over $50,000 right out of high school.

Brown’s college career didn’t last long. He attended Florida State for just one semester. The Cleveland Indians showed interest in him, partly because Helen Score, Herb’s sister, vouched for Brown’s catching skills to Cleveland’s chief scout, Laddie Placek.

“When the scouts came to look at Herb, I guess some of them noticed that I could catch the ball. That’s how I got my chance,” Brown recalled.

In 1953, Brown left Florida State and signed with the Cleveland Indians for $3,000. That decision launched his pro career and reunited him with his old high school teammate in the minors.

Path to the Major Leagues

Dick Brown started out in Shinnston, West Virginia, and eventually signed a pro contract with the Cleveland Indians after a good high school career. He steadily improved in the minor leagues and made a big move from outfielder to catcher.

Signing with the Cleveland Indians

Brown got a baseball scholarship to Florida State but left after one semester. He signed with the Cleveland Indians for $3,000 in 1953. His shot at pro baseball came thanks to his high school connection with Herb Score.

Score signed with Cleveland for a huge bonus right out of high school. Brown’s opportunity came when Score’s sister, Helen, told Cleveland’s chief scout, “You should have signed Dick Brown.” That convinced the Indians to give Brown a closer look.

Brown said, “When the scouts came to look at Herb, I guess some of them noticed that I could catch the ball. That’s how I got my chance.” That connection opened the door for his career.

Transition to Catcher Position

Brown switched to catcher during high school, which turned out to be a key move. He played outfield and pitched as a junior at Lake Worth.

American Legion baseball needed a catcher after his junior year. The coach also needed someone who could handle Herb Score the next spring.

Brown made the switch for his senior season. He and Score led Lake Worth to the 1952 Class A State High School championship, and Brown hit .415. That partnership with Score set up his pro opportunity.

Minor League Development

The Indians assigned Brown to Green Bay in the Wisconsin State League (Class D) for 1953. He attended spring training in Sarasota, Florida, and by then he was 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds. Veteran catcher Birdie Tebbetts noticed him.

“Brown is definitely a major league prospect,” Tebbetts said. “He’s an awkward kid, sure, but he’s only 18. He’s big and strong. I think Brown will hit very well.”

Brown struggled at first, starting 0-for-8 at the plate. But he doubled for his first pro hit in Green Bay’s third game, then went 8-for-16 with another double and two RBIs over the next four games.

Minor League Progress:

• 1953 Green Bay (Class D): .284 batting average, league championship
• 1954 Sherbrooke (Class C): .349 average, 7 home runs in 52 games
• 1954 Spartanburg (Class B): .283 average, 2 home runs in 34 games
• 1955 Reading (Class A): .239 average, 18 home runs
• 1956 Mobile (Class AA): .268 average, 24 home runs, 140 games caught

In 1955 at Reading, Brown flashed some real power, hitting 18 home runs—just one behind Roger Maris. He starred in a mid-June exhibition against Cleveland, collecting a double, single, and homer in four at-bats.

The 1956 season at Mobile was his last stop in the minors. He hit 24 home runs and caught 140 of 151 games. That performance got Cleveland’s attention.

Major League Career Highlights

Dick Brown played nine years in the majors from 1957 to 1965, all as a catcher. He started with the Cleveland Indians and later played for the Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, and Baltimore Orioles. He usually fought for starting jobs and often served as a steady backup.

Cleveland Indians Tenure

Brown made his MLB debut on June 20, 1957, with the Cleveland Indians at age 22. The 6-foot-2, 176-pound catcher from Shinnston, West Virginia, got his first start against the Boston Red Sox.

With Cleveland, Brown worked to prove himself in a crowded catching group. He split time behind the plate and learned the ins and outs of the big leagues.

His rookie season in 1957 was enough to surpass rookie limits and officially start his MLB career.

Key Trade to Chicago White Sox

The Indians traded Brown to the Chicago White Sox, giving him a shot at more playing time and a fresh start.

With the White Sox, Brown kept building his reputation as a solid defensive catcher. He worked with the pitching staff and stepped up as a veteran presence when needed.

The trade to Chicago gave him valuable experience in the American League and a chance to compete for a bigger role.

Detroit Tigers Years

Brown moved on to the Detroit Tigers, adding another chapter to his journeyman career. The Tigers picked him up for catching depth.

In Detroit, Brown continued to serve as a backup and sometimes as a starter. His knowledge of American League hitters made him useful to the pitching staff.

He showed he could adapt to new teams and kept a professional approach while helping out the Tigers’ catchers.

Baltimore Orioles Contribution

Brown finished his big league career with the Baltimore Orioles, playing his last season in 1965. He signed his 1966 contract with Baltimore in January, just after his 31st birthday, but he had already played his final game on October 3, 1965, against Cleveland.

In his last big league appearance, Brown went 2-for-3 at the plate. His career stats: a .244 batting average, 62 home runs, and 223 RBIs in 636 games.

The Baltimore years capped off Brown’s pro baseball journey. His nine-year career really showed the grit and persistence it takes to last as a catcher in the 1950s and 1960s.

Playing Style and On-Field Achievements

Dick Brown carved out a reputation as a reliable defensive catcher who could hit for power. He handled hard-throwing pitchers well, and his right-handed swing gave him steady home run power, even if his batting average stayed modest.

Defensive Skills as a Catcher

Brown’s defense was his calling card. He got noticed for his ability to handle tough pitchers, especially his old high school teammate Herb Score.

In 1958, Brown and Score made baseball history. They became the first non-related high school battery to start together in the majors, with Brown catching Score’s games for Cleveland.

“Dick was a good catcher even in high school,” Score said. “Wild as I was in those days, I always had confidence in him.”

Brown’s defensive reputation didn’t stop with Score, either. Birdie Tebbetts, a former big-league catcher, said early on, “Brown is definitely a major league prospect.”

At 6-foot-2 and around 190 pounds, Brown had the size for the position. Teams valued his ability to handle hard throwers, and he worked with pitching staffs in Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit, and Baltimore.

Power Hitting and Home Runs

Brown’s offense was all about power. He finished with 62 home runs in 636 games, showing he could go deep even without getting regular at-bats.

He showed that power early. In 1955 at Reading, Brown hit 18 home runs, just one behind Roger Maris. He kept developing his power in the minors before making it to the majors.

Brown hit his first MLB home run on July 12, 1957, off Baltimore’s Connie Johnson. One of his most memorable shots came on August 19, 1958, when he hit an inside-the-park home run off Whitey Ford at Yankee Stadium.

That homer traveled 400 feet to the Indians’ bullpen after it bounced over left fielder Norm Siebern’s head. Brown’s power often came in streaks.

His best offensive season was in 1961 with Detroit. He hit eight home runs with 27 RBIs and kept a .308 batting average through May 28, helping the Tigers grab first place early in the year.

Notable Career Highlights and Milestones

Brown’s career had its share of significant achievements and memorable moments. He played for four different teams, and his career batting average of .244 showed he was mostly a defense-first catcher who could still deliver some power.

In 1961, Brown had his best season with Detroit. He began the year as the Tigers’ main catcher and helped them stay in the race for first place until injuries slowed him down.

While with Cleveland, Brown caught for Hall of Fame pitchers Bob Lemon and Early Wynn. Both pitchers threw complete game wins in games Brown caught during a June 1957 series in Washington.

In 1958, Brown’s defense stood out when he caught both of Herb Score’s only two wins that season. That year was Score’s comeback attempt after his brutal eye injury in 1957.

Brown played in the late 1950s and early 1960s for some competitive teams, including the 1959 Cleveland Indians who finished second in the American League. He wrapped up his career in 1965 with Baltimore, signing on as the team’s expected number one catcher, but health problems ended things sooner than he’d hoped.

Challenges, Retirement, and Legacy

Dick Brown’s promising career ended suddenly in 1965 when doctors diagnosed him with a brain tumor. After retiring from playing, he stayed involved in baseball by scouting for the Baltimore Orioles until he passed away in 1970.

Diagnosis of Brain Tumor

In February 1966, Dick Brown started having constant headaches, right after signing his contract with Baltimore. At 31, he was supposed to be the Orioles’ primary catcher that season.

Doctors found out he had a brain tumor. He went in for surgery, but the tumor was inoperable and would eventually take his life.

Brown played his last major league game on October 3, 1965, though he didn’t realize it at the time. The tumor ended what had been a solid nine-year career in the majors.

The diagnosis hit Brown at a tough time. He’d finally landed a starting job with Baltimore after years as a backup with Cleveland, Chicago, and Detroit.

Retirement After 1965 Season

Brown officially retired after doctors found the brain tumor in early 1966. He’d proven himself a dependable catcher with some pop, hitting 62 home runs in the big leagues.

He started his career in 1957 after a call-up from the minors. Over his nine seasons, he played for four different Major League teams.

His last year with Baltimore in 1965 was actually one of his better seasons. When Brown retired, the Orioles lost a reliable catcher just as they were gearing up for a championship run.

Post-Playing Career and Scouting

After hanging up his gear, Brown took on a scouting role with the Baltimore Orioles. The team appreciated his deep knowledge and his knack for spotting talent, especially from a catcher’s perspective.

In October 1966, the Orioles invited Brown to throw out the first pitch for Game 3 of the 1966 World Series. The ceremony at Memorial Stadium was a special moment as Baltimore hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Brown kept scouting for Baltimore right up until his death in April 1970. The brain tumor that ended his playing days also claimed his life at just 35.

His younger brother Larry carried on the family’s baseball legacy, playing 12 years in the majors as an infielder from 1963 to 1974. Dick Brown’s story really shows the tough challenges players faced with medical setbacks, especially back when treatment options were so limited.

Personal Life and Remembrance

Dick Brown’s life was more than just baseball. He built a devoted family and kept strong ties to his community. His marriage to Liisa Veltheim and their shared journey captured both the struggles and joys of family life for a pro athlete in the 1950s and 1960s.

Family and Relationships

On December 27, 1957, Dick Brown married Liisa Veltheim in Miami Beach while serving in the Army National Guard. Liisa had come to the U.S. from Helsinki, Finland, in 1953 with her family, just 15 years old at the time.

They met during Brown’s off-season in Lake Worth. “I met Liisa during the off season,” Brown said. “I came home one winter and there she was.”

Their first child, Mark Kerry Brown, arrived the day after Thanksgiving in 1959. That timing lined up with a big career change for Brown, as he was traded to the Chicago White Sox just a few days later on December 6.

Brown stayed close with his baseball family, especially his younger brother Larry. Larry followed Dick into pro baseball, signing with Cleveland in 1958 and making it to the majors as an infielder from 1963 to 1974.

Community Impact and Recognition

Brown kept strong roots in his Florida community throughout his career. During the off-seasons in Lake Worth, he trained to become a real estate agent while playing for Cleveland.

His mom, Dora Mae Brown, was known as Lake Worth’s number one baseball fan. She made it to both Dick and Larry’s games, home or away, even though arthritis kept her in a wheelchair for years.

The family moved from Shinnston, West Virginia, to Florida in 1942 when Dick was seven. His dad Raymond ran a grocery store in Lake Worth, and Dick worked there as a clerk by age 15.

Brown’s high school connection with future Hall of Fame pitcher Herb Score brought some attention to Lake Worth baseball. Together, they led Lake Worth to the 1952 Class A State High School championship, and Brown hit .415 that season.

Final Years and Burial

Brown’s career came to a sudden halt in 1965 after he had surgery for a brain tumor.

He first noticed something was wrong in February 1966. The headaches just wouldn’t stop after he signed his contract with Baltimore.

Even as his health declined, Brown stuck with baseball and worked as a scout for the Baltimore Orioles.

That job kept him close to the game he loved, and honestly, it seemed to give him purpose even when things got tough.

Richard Ernest Brown passed away on April 17, 1970. He was only 35, just four years after doctors found the tumor.

His death hit a lot of people—he’d left his mark on baseball organizations and communities from West Virginia all the way to Florida.

Folks in the baseball world remembered Brown as a dependable catcher.

He didn’t have it easy, but he made up for it with grit and a knack for developing his skills, and every so often, he’d surprise everyone with a home run.