Leon Day

Leon Day
Pitcher
Born: (1916-10-30)October 30, 1916 Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
Died: March 13, 1995(1995-03-13) (aged 78) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
Negro league baseball debut
1934, Baltimore Black Sox
Last appearance
1950, Baltimore Elite Giants
Career statistics
Win–loss record	50–22
Earned run average	3.58
Strikeouts	432
Teams
Negro leagues Baltimore Black Sox (1934) Brooklyn / Newark Eagles (1935–1939, 1941–1943, 1946) Baltimore Elite Giants (1949–1950) Mexican league Veracruz Red Eagles (1940, 1947–1948)
Career highlights and awards
9× All-Star (1935, 1937, 1939, 1939², 1942, 1942², 1943, 1946, 1946² Negro World Series champion (1946)
Member of the National
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction	1995
Election method	Veterans Committee

Leon Day (October 30, 1916 – March 13, 1995) was an American professional baseball pitcher who spent the majority of his career in the Negro leagues. Recognized as one of the most versatile athletes in the league during his prime, Day could play every position, with the exception of catcher, and often was the starting second baseman or center fielder when he was not on the mound. A right-handed pitcher with a trademark no wind-up delivery, Day excelled at striking batters out, especially with his high-speed fastball. At the same time, he was an above-average contact hitter, which, combined with his effectiveness as a baserunner and his tenacious fielding, helped cement Day as one of the most dynamic players of the era.

Debuting in the Negro leagues in 1934, Day played with the Baltimore Black Sox, Newark Eagles, and Baltimore Elite Giants during his career. In 1937, Day had the best season of his career as a member of the Eagles, finishing with a perfect record of 13–0 and a batting average over .300. Day also played Puerto Rican winter ball in the offseasons. He holds both the Negro and Puerto Rican league records for strikeouts in a game, and appeared in the most East–West All-Star Games.

Because of his soft-spoken demeanor, Day's accomplishments were not immediately recognized as opposed to other elite pitchers of the league like Satchel Paige. Nonetheless, Day is considered one of the best pitchers of the Negro leagues, equaling and sometimes surpassing the abilities of his rivals. In 1995, Day was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame, just six days before his death at 78 years old.