William James "Gates" Brown (May 2, 1939 – September 27, 2013) was an American Major League Baseball left fielder who spent his entire career with the Detroit Tigers (1963–1975).

[1] Brown also played baseball in Pony League, American Legion, sandlot and high school competition.

[4] He was encouraged by a prison guard who also coached the reformatory's baseball team to join the squad as a catcher.

Tigers scouts Frank Skaff and Pat Mullin helped Brown get paroled a year early and signed him for US$7,000.

He chose to join the Tigers despite interest from other teams such as the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians.

He explained, "The primary reasons I signed with Detroit is because they didn't have any black players and eventually I figured they would, plus, I had been told about the short right porch at Tiger Stadium.

In his first season, he played in the outfield, compiled a .293 batting average with 10 home runs and 68 RBIs, and was selected for the All-Star team.

[7][8] He also ranked among the Northern League's leaders with 13 triples (first), 30 stolen bases (second), and 105 runs scored (second).

He appeared in 118 games with Durham, compiling a league-best .324 batting average with 15 home runs and 72 RBIs.

He was promoted late in the season to the Class-A Knoxville Smokies of the South Atlantic League.

[7] He was selected to the All-Carolina League team, received a "Player of the Month" award in August 1961, and was named the "Most Popular Smoky".

[13] In his second appearance, he hit a clutch single to drive in the winning run in the ninth inning of a game against the Kansas City Athletics.

[14][15] He appeared in 55 games for the Tigers in 1963, including 12 starts in left field and the remainder as a pinch hitter.

[17] Frustrated with the lack of playing time, Brown said early in spring training in 1966 that he wished the Tigers would let him go.

[9] As the 1967 got underway, Brown again expressed disappointment at his role sitting on the bench for the past two seasons.

However, in June, Brown dislocated a bone in his left wrist crashing into the outfield wall while trying to field a fly ball.

[9] Brown had an outstanding season in 1968, helping the Tigers win the American League pennant and the World Series.

On April 11, he had a pinch-hit home run in the ninth inning to lead the Tigers to a 4–3 victory over the Red Sox.

Brown's mastery of the Sox peaked in an August 11 double-header before a crowd of 49,087 at Tiger Stadium.

On August 7, 1968, after grabbing two hot dogs from the clubhouse, Brown was ordered by manager Mayo Smith to pinch hit.

Besides, where else can you eat a hot dog and have the best seat in the house'"[25][26] In August 1968, Detroit Free Press columnist Joe Falls wrote: "Gates Brown.

"[27]Los Angeles Times sportswriter Jim Murray wrote in September 1968 that Brown had "the most level swing since Joe DiMaggio and added: He's batting .459 as a pinch hitter.

He strikes out so seldom that pitchers are convinced he could get wood on a cultured pearl, or a machine gun bullet.

"[28]California Angels manager Bill Rigney said: "When I think of Gates Brown, I think of loud noises and line drives.