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Jethroe, a switch-hitter with power and speed, was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1950; the 28-year-old led the majors with 35 stolen bases and batted .273 with 18 homers for the Braves. He again led the NL with 35 steals in 1951. But his best years had been spent in the Negro Leagues with the Cleveland Buckeyes, for whom he batted .342 in six seasons. He was selected to the East-West all-star game four times. He is the only player to have hit a ball over the 472-foot leftfield fence at Toledo's Swayne Field and into the coal piles of the Red Man Tobacco Factory. In the spring of 1945, he was selected with Jackie Robinson and Marvin Williams for an unsuccessful tryout with the Boston Red Sox. Ultimately, the Red Sox were the last major league team to integrate, while Jethroe went on to star for their crosstown rivals. (LL)