Cleveland Buckeye backstop Buster Brown and pitcher Smoky Owens are killed almost immediately, and three of their teammates along with the team’s general manager are seriously injured when a truck slams into the rear of their car. The fatal accident occurred at 3 a.m. in Geneva, Ohio as the Negro American League team was traveling to Akron after having played a twin bill against the Black Yankees in Buffalo.

This Day In Baseball

On September 7, 1942 — Cleveland Buckeye backstop Buster Brown and pitcher Smoky Owens are killed almost immediately, general manager Wilbur Hayes, and pitchers Gene Bremmer, Alonzo Boone and Herman Watts. are seriously injured when a truck slams into the rear of their car. The fatal accident occurred at 3 a.m. in Geneva, Ohio as the Negro American League team was traveling to Akron after having played a twin bill against the Black Yankees in Buffalo.