WILLARD "HOME RUN" BROWN | On May 30, 1937, in his third season with the Monarchs, Willard Brown hit three home runs and a long triple against the Birmingham Black Barons. Ten years later, on August 13, 1947, he became the first black player to hit a home run in the American League. Pinch-hitting for Joe Schultz, Brown drilled a pitch off the center-field wall for an inside-the-park homer off future Hall-of-Fame Detroit Tiger pitcher Hal Newhouser. After 21 games with the St. Louis Browns, his fantasy trip was over. Hitting less than his weight, at .179, Brown was released. (Courtesy of NoirTech Research, Inc.)

» NEXT: Three Thumbs of Fun