Jophery Brown

Jophery Clifford Brown (January 22, 1945 – January 11, 2014) was a Major League Baseball pitcher who made one relief appearance for the Chicago Cubs. He became an award-winning stunt man and actor. Early life and family Brown was born in Grambling, Louisiana, the seventh of eight children of Sylvester and Ida Mae (née Washington) Brown. His older brother, Calvin Brown, was a pioneering Black stuntman, a founding member of the Black Stuntmen's Association, and Bill Cosby's stunt double in the television series I Spy. Brown attended Grambling High School and Grambling College (1964–1966). He did not graduate from Grambling, but he had a 12–2 win–loss record, with a 0.88 earned run average (ERA) and a shutout for the Grambling Tigers. Baseball career Brown was drafted three times by major league teams, first by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1965, then by the Boston Red Sox in 1966, before finally signing with the Cubs on June 20, 1966. He spent the next couple of years in the minor leagues. He made his only major league appearance on September 21, 1968, against Pittsburgh at Forbes Field. Brown relieved Bobby Tiefenauer, who had in turn relieved the Cubs' starter that day, Joe Niekro. He gave up two hits, including a single by Maury Wills, and issued an intentional walk to Roberto Clemente. He allowed one run in two innings of work, retiring opposing pitcher Dock Ellis on a line drive back to the mound for the final out of his debut. Brown was removed for pinch-hitter Clarence Jones in the next inning. He would never pitch in the majors again. The following season, he played in Double-A with San Antonio, going 9–10, and suffered a rotator cuff injury. He had played baseball only because his father loved the sport. His brother Calvin advised him to come out to Hollywood.