Prior to playing professionally, Crone attended Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, Tennessee. He signed a professional contract with the Boston Braves in 1949 at the age of 17 and began his professional career that season. He was used primarily as a starting pitcher in his early minor league career, reaching win totals as high as 19, accomplishing that in 1953 with the Jacksonville Braves.\n', '

Crone made his major league debut on April 13, 1954 at age 22. He spent 19 games with the big league club, starting two of them and going 1–0 with a 2.02 ERA in 49 innings of work. Of all pitchers on the team that season, he had the second-lowest ERA (trailing only Charlie Gorin\'s 1.86). He also spent 14 games in the minor leagues that season.\n', '

With the Braves in 1955, Crone went 10–9 with a 3.46 ERA in 33 games (15 starts). In 140​1⁄3 innings, he allowed only 117 hits. Though he spent time in the minors in 1955, it was a short stint – only four games.\n', '

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