Brown, Ray

Ace pitcher Ray Brown anchored the rotation of the Homestead Grays during its Negro National League dynasty years, when the club won eight pennants between 1937-45. The durable right-hander combined a variety of pitches to set up his magnificent curveball, which he was noted for using in any situation. An all-around athlete, the switch-hitting Brown also played the outfield and pinch-hit when he was not on the mound. In 1938, the Pittsburgh Courier named Brown -- along with Cool Papa Bell, Josh Gibson, Buck Leonard and Satchel Paige -- as one of five players the Pirates should sign in order to guarantee a pennant. Brown was named to two East-West All-Star teams during his 19-year career and threw a one-hitter in the 1944 Negro League World Series.

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