Jerry Browne

From BR Bullpen

Jerome Austin Browne (The Governor)

Bats Both, Throws Right
Height 5' 10", Weight 170 lb.

Debut September 6, 1986
Final Game October 1, 1995
Born February 13, 1966 in Christiansted, V.I.

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Jerry Browne was signed as a free agent by the Texas Rangers and scout Orlando Gomez. Nicknamed "The Governor" after California's Jerry Brown, Browne was a diminutive but athletic second baseman, signed as a teenager out of the Virgin Islands. He showed good plate discipline in the lower minors, and moved directly from AA ball to the starting lineup of the 1987 Rangers. The Rangers were in the midst of a wholesale youth movement, a trend that manager Bobby Valentine quickly repented of. As an example to his peers, Browne was demoted to AAA Oklahoma City in mid-season 1988, along with fellow youngsters Oddibe McDowell and Bobby Witt.

Soon after, the Rangers reversed their youth movement, shipping Browne with McDowell and Pete O'Brien to Cleveland for veteran Julio Franco after the 1988 season. A fast, switch-hitting glove man, a good bunter who was unafraid of taking walks, Browne seemed like the answer to the Indians' second base needs -- and would later seem to be the answer in Oakland and in Florida. But inconsistent hitting, and his almost total lack of power in an increasingly slugger-dominated game, led to the end of his big-league career before he turned 30. He also did not accept an assignment to AAA after nearly winning a roster spot with the Mets in 1996. A comeback attempt with the Rangers in 1997 fell short.

Hit .252 with 5 home runs, 34 RBI and 14 SB in 76 games while with Oklahoma City in 1989.
He hit .303 with 82 runs, 39 SB and 57 RBI in 128 games with Tulsa in 1986. He also led Texas League second basemen in fielding with a .984 mark in 1986.
He was a Carolina League All-Star in 1985 where he hit .267 with 69 runs and 24 SB in 122 games.