Willard Brown was a professional baseball player whose career spanned over a decade in the 1940s and 1950s. He was an African American player who was one of the first to break the color barrier in Major League Baseball.

Brown played for several teams in the Negro Leagues prior to his Major League debut in 1947. He was a power hitter with a strong throwing arm who was known for his ability to hit home runs. He was also a great fielder and base runner.

Brown was a member of the St. Louis Browns from 1947 to 1949, and then played for the Kansas City Monarchs from 1950 to 1953. He was an All-Star in 1952 and 1953 and was part of the Monarchs' championship teams in both those years.

Brown was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1954, but was unable to make an impact in the majors and was released after just one season. He then returned to the Negro Leagues, playing for the Indianapolis Clowns and the Kansas City Athletics. He retired from baseball in 1959.

Brown was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006, becoming the first Negro Leagues player to receive the honor. He is remembered as one of the pioneers of the Negro Leagues and for his long and successful career.

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