Are you thinking of Gates Brown, iirc? There was a Tigers centerfielder who got out of prison and then made the majors—Brown? Might have played for the ChiSox, too. Or someone else? I’m a National League fan, so I’m a bit fuzzy on it.
You are right. Gates Brown was the guy. I don’t know how I mixed him up with Willie Horton. I guess my brain is getting real fuzzy.