This Negro Leaguer played pro basketball as a center and forward for Dayton of the NBL before joining
the
Boston Braves. The 6'2" 210-lb
lefthanded batter supplied ten of Cincinnati's
league record-tying 221 homers in 1956. As the Reds' regular first baseman, Crowe
hit 31 HR in 1957, and was an All-Star in 1958. But Crowe was traded to St. Louis,
where
Stan Musial was manning first in 1959; Crowe, instead, led the NL with 17 pinch
hits.
(TJ)