Leon Culberson
Born: 8/6/1918 in Hall's Station, GA, USA
Died: 9/17/1989 in Rome, GA, USA
MLB Debut: 1943-05-16 | Final Game: 1948-05-12
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'11" | Weight: 180 lbs
Full name: Delbert Leon Culberson
Biography
Leon Culberson was a professional baseball player born in 1918, who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1943 until his retirement in 1948. He was primarily known as a position player, participating in a total of 370 games throughout his career. Culberson recorded 324 hits, contributing to a respectable batting average of .266, alongside 14 home runs and 131 runs batted in. His speed on the bases was notable, as he successfully stole 27 bases, showcasing his versatility and athleticism during a time when the game was evolving with the introduction of more aggressive base running.
Culberson's career unfolded in the midst of World War II, a period that significantly impacted baseball as many players were drafted into military service. Despite these challenges, he established himself as a reliable player on the field. His contributions were particularly felt during the late 1940s, a time of transition in Major League Baseball as the sport began to integrate and evolve into what fans know today. Culberson's legacy is characterized not only by his statistics but also by his role in a transformative era of baseball history.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 370 | 1217 | 148 | 324 | 59 | 18 | 14 | 131 | 27 | 106 | 126 | 0.266 | 0.327 | 0.379 | 0.705 | 597.3 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 | BOS | AL | 80 | 312 | 36 | 85 | 16 | 6 | 3 | 34 | 13 | 30 | 35 | 0.272 | 424.0 |
| 1944 | BOS | AL | 75 | 282 | 41 | 67 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 21 | 6 | 20 | 20 | 0.238 | -513.7 |
| 1945 | BOS | AL | 97 | 331 | 26 | 91 | 21 | 6 | 6 | 45 | 4 | 20 | 37 | 0.275 | 361.3 |
| 1946 | BOS | AL | 59 | 179 | 34 | 56 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 18 | 3 | 16 | 19 | 0.313 | 481.2 |
| 1947 | BOS | AL | 47 | 84 | 10 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 12 | 10 | 0.238 | -155.4 |
| 1948 | WSN | AL | 12 | 29 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 5 | 0.172 | 0.0 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0.222 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | WS | BOS | 5 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0.222 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3B | 8 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 3 | 3 |
| OF | 327 | 0 | 750 | 34 | 21 | 10 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 | BOS | OF | 79 | 0 | 211 | 10 | 5 | 2 |
| 1944 | BOS | OF | 72 | 0 | 182 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| 1945 | BOS | OF | 91 | 0 | 219 | 14 | 8 | 6 |
| 1946 | BOS | 3B | 4 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 2 |
| 1946 | BOS | OF | 49 | 0 | 87 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 1947 | BOS | 3B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 1947 | BOS | OF | 25 | 0 | 35 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 1948 | WS1 | OF | 11 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Third Base | 8 |
| Left Field | 39 |
| Center Field | 244 |
| Right Field | 45 |