Walter “Buck” Leonard (1933-1950)

Walter “Buck” Leonard was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina in 1907. Buck played semipro ball from 1924 to 1932 with teams like the Rocky Mount Elks, Rocky Mount Black Swans, Dougherty Black Revels and the Portsmouth Black Firefighters. Buck used to say that he was never sure if he would make it to the Negro League because he seemed to be getting old playing semipro baseball. In 1932, Ben Taylor of the Baltimore Stars would sign him and his career in Negro League baseball would lead him to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Buck played part of the 1933 season with the Baltimore Stars and when that teamed folded, he signed with "Cannonball" Dick Redding and the Brooklyn Royal Giants. 

In 1934, Buck signed with the Homestead Grays of the Negro National League. From 1934 until 1950, Buck Leonard would be a Homestead Gray. Buck was a left-handed power hitter, team leader and a model of consistency and dependability for the strongest franchise in Negro League baseball. With the help of Buck’s bat and his leadership on and off the field, the Homestead Grays won nine consecutive Negro National League championships between 1937-1948.



Every year after the league season was over, Buck would play winter ball or barnstorm. Buck played in the California Winter League, Cuba, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Mexico during the off season. He also barnstormed with numerous Negro League all star teams like the Brooklyn Eagles, Negro National League All-Stars (won Denver Post Championship in 1935) and Satchel Paige’s All-Stars.