Brownlee seeking to cement legacy
Cleveland Brownlee, the Majors’ star slugger and fan favourite for the past decade, has done it all in the IBL — except win a championship …
(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).
He’s worn the London Majors uniform for 11 years. Amassed a franchise record 111 (and counting) home runs. Accumulated numerous awards and accolades. Become a fixture in the community.
Hell, Cleveland Brownlee could run for mayor and fare well, and yet, every time he reflects on his time in London, the slugger always expresses his gratitude to Majors’ co-owners Roop Chanderdat and Scott Dart.
“They gave me a chance here,” the now-37-year-old slugger says.
In 2010, Chanderdat signed Brownlee, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, as one of his import players. But it was Brownlee’s hitting prowess, apparent from the beginning, that propelled him to become one of the Intercounty Baseball League’s best. That season, he smacked nine home runs and drove in 24.
In 2011, he laid the groundwork for a legendary career, batting .387 with 38 RBIs. The next two years? He mashed a combined 25 homers, hitting .369 in the latter season – with a league-best 50 RBIs in 40 games.
Who wouldn’t have given Cleveland Brownlee a ‘chance’?
Brownlee is a career.308 hitter in nearly 1,500 at-bats, with 96 regular season home runs and 363 RBIs. He’s won team MVP awards, been named to all-star teams, and earned a spot as one of the top 100 players in Intercounty Baseball League history.
At Labatt Park, he has been a hands-down fan favourite for the last decade – including this year, the ‘return-to-baseball’ season, as he winds down his decorated Majors career. He’s grateful for that, too.
“I’ve always looked forward to that, especially those Friday night games,” Brownlee says. “It’s great to hear people scream out your name and clap for you. It’s a feeling I don’t think you can get anywhere else.”
Chanderdat chalks up the ‘chance’ talk to his affable nature. Brownlee is, after all, one of the more upbeat and engaging personalities you’ll meet in the league.
But the Majors’ manager does have another theory – based on his recollections of Brownlee’s early days with the Majors. As Chanderdat recalls it, not long after his arrival, Brownlee found himself on the sidelines with what Chanderdat recalls as a back injury.
“He was walking around with a broomstick. We didn’t know if it was going to be a long-term thing. And, unfortunately, our season is short, so you can’t wait around (to sign new players),” Chanderdat says. “But I said, ‘Look, just get healthy, we’ll get you playing.’ And when he was ready, he got going.
“He’s put up numbers, man. Every year.”
As humble as he is, Brownlee knows that what he’s accomplished as a Major is special. The numbers alone, let alone the accolades. But he also knows his career isn’t complete.
“I’ve led the team in RBIs, home runs, I’m on the top 100 list,” Brownlee says. “The only thing I’m missing now is that championship.”
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Despite being another year older – and missing an entire season due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 – Cleveland Brownlee returned for 2021. Having the chance to play in front of his son, 5-year-old Cleveland Jr., was a major contributing factor. The others? “Being able to play ball in front of Majors fans, being able to leave my legacy, and helping win a championship for the wonderful city of London,” Brownlee says.
Several cold months – and a couple of COVID-19 lockdowns – later, the Majors returned to the diamond for an official IBL game on July 9. It was the first time in 696 days.
In what served as a preview of things to come for the eventual pennant-winning Majors, London battered the Toronto Maple Leafs 12-1 at Labatt Park on Opening Night in front of a (COVID) capacity crowd. Brownlee, in his usual cleanup spot and serving as the designated hitter, heard the cheers all night on his way to the plate – and after his RBI single in the sixth inning.
The Majors went on to finish first in the regular season – and earn a first-round playoff bye – with a 22-8 record. At home, the team went 12-3 this summer.
“It’s been great. We’ve brought some life back to the city,” Brownlee says. “Even with the restrictions, London fans put out enough energy and support for us that it feels like the stadium is full.”
Those fans will do the same as the Majors’ playoff action gets underway on Friday (Sept. 17) when the team welcomes the Brantford Red Sox for a best-of-three semi-final series. Game 2 will be in Brantford Saturday night, with Game 3, if necessary, back in London Sunday night.
Brownlee has seen a lot during his 11 years, and he’s been on some good London Majors teams. That includes the 2014 squad that made it to the IBL final and the 2016 team that won the pennant, a first for the Majors since 2008. Now, they’ve done it for a second time during Brownlee’s tenure. The slugger is optimistic about this year’s pennant-winning club.
“This team is a lot younger, and these guys have a lot of energy. They’re willing to bunt; they’re willing to hit and run; they’re willing to lay it all on the line to win,” Brownlee says “Everybody’s got their role on the team, and everybody understands that role. Everything’s been clicking the way it’s supposed to.”
(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).
And what is Brownlee’s role? He’s 37 now, an age most IBL players don’t reach. Most have graduated to full-time family life. Some have said goodbye to the game altogether. Others have joined a beer league softball team, simply for the social aspect of the game.
He doesn’t run like he used to (many would be surprised to learn that he stole 56 bases over his first five seasons, even leading the team in 2015). But he hasn’t lost any power. His seven home runs in the shortened 2021 season – including a few mammoth shots – have proven that. Still, Brownlee sees himself as a player simply willing to do whatever he can to help the team win.
“I get out there and keep everybody motivated,” the slugger says, downplaying his still-potent bat. “If I can hit in that run, if I can move that runner over, whatever it takes, I’m not here to chase or set records or anything. I want to help these guys bring a championship home to London.”
If the veteran Brownlee sounds more like a coach these days, it’s because he’s been moving in that direction for some time. He’s still the cleanup hitter. Still the hulking slugger who can blast home runs as far as anyone in the league. But he’s also far removed from playing regularly in the field. He’s a designated hitter only now. In fact, it’s a running joke whether or not he even needs to bring a glove to the park.
“I donate my glove to anybody who forgets theirs,” Brownlee says with a laugh.
“We nailed up his first base glove in the office, as a joke,” Chanderdat says.
Jokes aside, Chanderdat is quick to point out that, despite Brownlee’s well-earned veteran status, and his DH-only role, he doesn’t take advantage of special treatment or create distance between himself and his Majors teammates. On the contrary, he makes it a point to lead by example.
“If we’re running or hitting, whatever we’re doing, he’s doing it too. When we’re practicing, he’s practicing.” Chanderdat said. “And he’s a phenomenal guy in the clubhouse. He’s welcoming to everyone. He’s welcoming to the fans. He’s just a good guy.”
“I love the veteran role. If I can come out there and help lead these guys in a winning direction, I’m happy,” Brownlee says. “And I try to prove a point. They see me hustling a ball out, they’re going to hustle it out. They’re like, ‘Cleve’s older, we can do that. If he’s willing to give it all and put his body on the line, we might as well too.’”
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When his dad arrives to the stadium in his truck, Cleveland Jr. is out of the vehicle before it’s even in park.
“He beats me to the field and he’s out there shagging fly balls,” Brownlee says. “All the guys know him. He’s in the outfield with them running down balls. They look forward to him coming out there.”
During the summer, Cleveland Jr. attended night games. Sure, they all went way past his bedtime, but how could the team’s biggest fan miss any of the action? Plus, Brownlee says, “School wasn’t in, so I didn’t feel like the bad parent.”
From participating in batting practice, to listening in on Chanderdat’s pre-game talks, to being the first to dole out high fives to players after the game, Cleveland Jr. certainly got a top-notch baseball education this summer.
“He loves it. This was his first year playing (organized) baseball, too, and he did absolutely amazing,” says Brownlee, noting that Cleveland Jr. started by playing up a year in Byron minor baseball. “I was fortunate, with our scheduling, that I was able to make just about every one of his games. Just seeing him on that field brings me joy.”
It’s made for a busy summer. A father of youngsters in sports himself, Chanderdat knows the hectic lifestyle it entails – and the energy it takes to make it work.
“For Cleveland, when you get to that stage of your career, it’s a grind. He’s got the little guy who plays baseball now. I try to accommodate that. But that experience, his son being around the field all the time with his dad, that’s so invaluable.”
Brownlee with his son, Cleveland Jr., during the 2019 season. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).
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It’s not a new question, but it’s a growing one with each passing year.
How long will Cleveland Brownlee play?
“He’s been saying he’s gonna retire for a long time,” Chanderdat says, laughing. “I’m not joking, he’s been telling people for six years. He even told the media one year that he was done. He’s never told me, though. I think it’s getting closer now. I always tell him, ‘Hey, I want you to play as long as you want to while I’m here and coaching. You bring a lot to the table.’ He’s still a presence in the lineup. Every time he comes up, there’s a chance something special is going to happen.”
Although he wasn’t thrilled with his .243 batting average during this summer’s IBL regular season, Brownlee still knocked out seven home runs (tying him with Byron Reichstein for the team lead), and he drove in 21 runs (fourth best on the team). And, despite all the self-deprecating talk of being old, he actually led the team with 111 at-bats on the year.
He also finished strong. Over his last five games, he batted .333 (7-for-21) with five RBIs and a pair of home runs, one each on the final two days of the regular season – including a monster go-ahead blast in a 4-3 win in Welland.
In other words, he’s headed into the playoffs on a high note.
And he’s got some unfinished business to take care of before his bat joins his glove on the shelf – that elusive championship title that has not only eluded the team during Brownlee’s tenure but eluded the franchise for a head-scratching 45 years. It was 1975 when the Majors last won it all.
“Everybody around us has won. The London Knights always contend, and people look for them to be in the championship every year. The Lightning [NBLC basketball team], they’ve done it,” Brownlee says. “Now it’s our turn. We want to be a part of that championship London legacy.”
The team certainly has a shot. It’ll be a unique postseason, in a unique year of baseball, with their semi-final series against the Brantford Red Sox being a best-of-three instead of a best-of-seven. If they advance to the final, they’ll play a best-of-five against the winner of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Barrie Baycats series (again, a normal final would be a best-of-seven affair).
“It’s gonna be wild. It’s anybody’s game. If somebody has an off day, it can change a lot,” Brownlee says. “But we’ll have home field advantage, in front of our fans.”
It remains to be seen whether the shortened series will play in the Majors’ favour, as the team lacks depth among their starting pitching corps compared to some other IBL squads. Brownlee thinks they’ve got the pitching, with their pair of aces, Owen Boon and Pedro de Los Santos, leading the charge. He thinks they’ve got the hitting, too. That includes the slugger himself, who will bring his veteran bat to the lineup – in the middle of the order, as always, looking to do damage.
Pondering a championship, Brownlee, at least for a moment, sets aside his humble nature describing what it would mean.
“When I’m finally done, I want to leave a legacy – on and off the field. I want to be a player that people will talk about for years to come. But I’ve got all the accolades. I want them to say, you know, he won MVP, first-team all-star, top 100, and he took London to a championship. Bringing a championship here … I think that would solidify me as being one of the best London Majors of all-time.”
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