Joe L. Brown, who served as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ general manager from 1955 to 1976 and in 1985 on an interim basis, passed away on August 16. He was 91.
Brown made multiple big moves during his long tenure as Pirates general manager, including hiring manager Danny Murtaugh, who led the team to two World Series Championships—the first in 1960 and the second in 1971.
He also traded for Don Hoak, Smoky Burgess, Bill Virdon, Harvey Haddix, Dick Schofield and Vinegar Bend Mizell, players who helped transform the Pirates from a basement-dweller into a pennant winner.
In addition to bringing in some notable names, Brown promoted future Hall of Famers Bill Mazeroski and Willie Stargell.
