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[QUOTE="sutomcat, post: 365776, member: 27"]
Seems really unlikely. [URL='http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/jim-brown-athlete-actor-activist']This article [/URL]says the Yankees tried to sign him to a minor league contract, so maybe that part is true. But SU didn't even initially offer Brown a scholarship. He went there because Ken Malloy raised the money to cover his college costs. How could you turn down that kind of money for something that was far short of a sure thing?
 
Even if he was offered a contract, $150K seems way out of line for that time period.
 
Willie Mays was signed by the NY Giants in 1950 for $10K. The Boston Braves signed Henry Aaron in 1952 for $10K. Ernie Banks was signed by the Cubs in 1952 for $10K. All three were already stars in the Negro leagues, more proven commodities than a part HS baseball player.
 
Mickey Mantle signed with the Yankees for $1500 in 1949. Roger Maris signed with the Indians in 1953 for $15K. Bonus baby Al Kaline signed with the Tigers in 1953 for $35K. Luis Aparicio was signed to a contract by the White Sox in 1954 for $10K. Even Carl Yastrzemski, who was a huge baseball star who also grew up playing in Long Island, was only signed to a $108K minor league contract when he was signed by the Red Sox in 1958. Rick Monday turned down an offer of $20K from the Dodgers to play at Arizona State as late as in 1963.
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