Walter “Buck” Leonard
Baseball
Inducted: 1973
- Born in Rocky Mount, NC, 1907
- A power hitter and peerless fielder, Negro League star
- Left school at 14 to work for Atlantic Coast Line railroad
- Played semipro ball for Rocky Mount Elks and Black Swans
- Signed pro contract with Baltimore Stars of Negro National League in 1933
- Changed clubs several times before signing with Homestead Grays in 1934
- Played with Grays through 1950, helping the team secure nine league titles from 1937-1945
- As first baseman, teamed with catcher Josh Gibson to form most feared one-two punch in Negro League history
- Played in 12 All-star games
- Played in Mexican leagues in early 1950s
- Declined offer from St. Louis Browns to play in majors in 1950, but played 10 games for Portsmouth (Piedmont League) in 1953, batting .333
- VP of Rocky Mount team in Carolina League in 1960s
- First North Carolinian inducted into National Baseball Hall of Fame
- Died in 1997
