SORRY, MR. BROWN:

Timid Tiger not afraid of risks in Iraq (ERNIE HARWELL, June 1, 2004, Detroit Free Press)

From ridicule to respect. That's the story of Chris Brown, one-time Tiger.

Brown was the starting third baseman when the Tigers opened the 1989 season in Texas. However, after appearing in only 17 games, he was through with the Tigers and by 1990 was out of baseball.

In his brief stay here, Brown became one of the most reviled players in the club's history. When he said that he couldn't play because of an injured eyelid, the ridicule and sarcasm reached new heights -- or lows. Just a few years earlier with the Giants, Chris had made the National league all-rookie team and was an All-Star in 1986 when he hit .317. His Tiger career was a disaster, though. In 17 games he batted .193 with no home runs and four errors. That was his final big-league season.

But now we learn of a different side to Chris Brown.

The news comes to us from Iraq, where Brown is driving an 18-wheel tanker truck in the combat area. In April, he was part of a convoy that came under attack. Six drivers and one soldier were killed and another driver was kidnapped and later released. Brown escaped unscathed and stayed on the job.

No jokes this time. Only respect.

This is a different Chris Brown. Did all of us misjudge him? Were we more interested in a smart wisecrack about a new player instead of truly looking into his psyche? Or has he simply changed over the years?

Brown told David Bush, a Houston Chronicle reporter, that he sees driving his 18-wheeler as a duty he must perform. Despite the danger, he is willing to stay in Iraq and risk his life.

Humble apologies to Mr. Brown whose notorious eyelash injury we made fun of just last month.

Posted by Orrin Judd at June 2, 2004 8:46 AM