Arguably the greatest pure hitter in Negro League history is the 69th inductee into the Baseball Hall of Immortals.
Buck Leonard began his career with the legendary Homestead Grays in 1934 at the age of 26. For the next 15 years Buck manned firstbase for the Grays as they became the greatest team in Negro League history. Incidentally his 15 years with one team is the record for ther Negro Leagues.
While statistics are spotty, it is estimated that Leonard had a lifetime batting average of .320. In 1939, at the age of 31, he hit .417 – the highest of his career.
Leonard would lead the Grays to 4 consecutive Negro League World Series starting in 1942, winning it all in ’43 and ’44.
In 1952 Leonard was finally offered a shot at the major leagues, only to turn it down. He was 44 years old and in his own words knew that he “was over the hill.”
One of the greats of the Negro Leagues, Buck Leonard is an Immortal.
For some background on what this is, check out the introduction post here.
