Celebrating Black History Month: Highlighting Leon Day
In celebration of Black History Month, teams across Minor League Baseball are looking back at some of the best Black players to suit up for their club. While some of these standout performers from across the sport went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply had great
In celebration of Black History Month, teams across Minor League Baseball are looking back at some of the best Black players to suit up for their club.
While some of these standout performers from across the sport went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply had great Minor League careers. Some were notable for their presence, both on and off the field. And, in a few cases, some had that one incredible season that went down as “a year for the ages.”
Throughout February, we will highlight some of the best Black baseball players to ever suit up for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
In the last few years, all players featured have suited up for the Red Barons, SWB Yankees and RailRiders. In the past, we have featured greats like Marlon Anderson, Ryan Howard, Aaron Judge, Wendell Magee and Jimmy Rollins.
In 2024, we focused on Tony Barron, DJ Mitchell and Floyd Rayford, Austin Jackson, Kevin Jordan and Billy McMillon, Lou Collier, Jamie Westbrook and Mason Williams as well as Chris Dickerson, Tony Longmire and Thomas Neal.
Today, dive deeper into the past to the days when the Miners patrolled Scranton Dunmore Stadium.
Leon Day
Day began his playing career in 1934 for the Baltimore Black Sox and spent 10 years playing in the Negro leagues as both a pitcher and a position player. The Virginia native won 50 games on the mound in his career and was widely considered one of the best pitchers in the Negro leagues. He also batted .313 in over 619 at-bats. In 1946, he pitched for the Newark Eagles in their World Series championship over the Kansas City Monarchs.
“People don't know what a great pitcher Leon Day was. He was as good or better than Bob Gibson. He was a better fielder, a better hitter, could run like a deer. When he pitched against Satchel, Satchel didn't have an edge. You thought Don Newcombe could pitch. You should have seen Day! One of the best complete athletes I've ever seen.” – Monte Irvin
In the second-to-last season of his 15-year career, Day played for the Scranton Miners. He won 13 games in 45 appearances on the mound and batted .314 with 32 hits over 102 at-bats.
Day, a nine-time All-Star, was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995. Learn more about Leon Day’s legacy.
(Credit to SABR and the National Baseball Hall of Fame for the images and quote above.)