Leon Day

$26.99

Taxes may apply at checkout.

Leon Day

A Baseball Life from the Negro Leagues to the Hall of Fame

Biography: sport Social and cultural history History of sport Baseball

Author: Bob Luke

Dinosaur mascot

Language: English

Published by: McFarland

Published on: 5th December 2025

Format: LCP-protected ePub

Size: 206 pages

ISBN: 9781476656496


Leon Day

Best known as a Hall of Fame pitcher (1934-1957) for the Baltimore Black Sox, Newark Eagles, and Baltimore Elite Giants, as well as teams in Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cuba, and Venezuela, Leon Day (1916-1995) often was compared with the more flamboyant Satchel Paige whom he beat in three of four meetings.

Day excelled at all positions except catcher and was feared as much for his hitting (career batting average of .300 plus) as his pitching.

A record seven-time Negro Leagues All-Star and holder of the All-Star games strikeout record, he served as a private in World War II, ducking German bullets on Utah Beach.

During retirement, he married the love of his life, worked various odd jobs, faced financial struggles and Jim Crow, and endured a lengthy trek to Cooperstown.

Through newspaper accounts and interviews with several people close to him, this book tells his story on and off the field for the first time.

Show moreShow less