MLB
Bobby Brown
A memorial service for the late Bobby Brown — the four-time World Series champion with the New York Yankees, who later moved to Fort Worth and built a career as a cardiologist — is set to take place Tuesday at Christ Chapel Bible Church.
Brown, who died Thursday at age 96, is perhaps best known for his storied career as a third baseman for the Yankees, spending eight seasons (1946 – 1952, 1954) playing alongside greats like Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, and Joe DiMaggio. Brown played in four World Series championships, and his .439 batting average currently ranks him at No. 6 all-time among World Series batting leaders, according to Baseball-Reference.
But it was what he did off the field that cemented his legacy in the local community. While playing with the Yankees, Brown was simultaneously studying medicine at Tulane University, telling Fort Worth Magazine back in 2015, "I couldn't take a microscope on the road, but I did take a textbook."
In 1954, his baseball career was interrupted when he was called up to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, not returning until 1954.
Still, he earned his medical degree and eventually retired from baseball, moving to Fort Worth to run a private cardiology practice. Notably, he was also physician to the father of former baseball player and U.S. Rep. Roger Williams: "He kept my dad alive for a year and a half. Because of that, he got to know his grandchildren," Williams told Fort Worth Magazine in 2015.
In 1974, Williams became interim president of the Texas Rangers. According to a statement from the team, Williams "helped stabilize the franchise, and the 'Turnaround Gang' improved its win total by 27 victories from 1973."
"He lived an extraordinary life while excelling in both the medical and baseball professions, and he had a huge impact on the Dallas-Fort Worth community ... His compassion and humor are two traits that will not be forgotten," the Rangers said.
In 1984, Brown became president of the MLB American League, serving for 10 years.
According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Brown's memorial service will take place Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Christ Chapel Bible Church (3701 Birchman Ave.). In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations be given to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County or another charity.
