Leon Wagner
Born: 5/13/1934 in Chattanooga, TN, USA
Died: 1/3/2004 in Los Angeles, CA, USA
MLB Debut: 1958-06-22 | Final Game: 1969-10-02
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 195 lbs
Full name: Leon Lamar Wagner
Biography
Leon Wagner, born in 1934, was a prominent position player in Major League Baseball who played from 1958 until his retirement in 1969. Known for his powerful hitting and dynamic presence on the field, Wagner participated in 1,352 games throughout his career, where he amassed 1,202 hits, 211 home runs, and 669 RBIs. With a career batting average of .272 and 54 stolen bases, he demonstrated both power and speed, making him a versatile player in the outfield.
Wagner earned recognition as a three-time All-Star, showcasing his talent against the best in the game during an era marked by increasing competition and the emergence of new playing styles. He notably won the All-Star Game MVP award, solidifying his status as a key player during his tenure. His contributions to teams such as the Cleveland Indians and the California Angels helped elevate their performance during the late 1950s and 1960s, placing him among the noteworthy players of his generation. Wagner's legacy continues to be remembered by baseball enthusiasts as a powerful hitter who left an indelible mark on the sport.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1352 | 4426 | 636 | 1202 | 150 | 15 | 211 | 669 | 54 | 435 | 656 | 0.272 | 0.340 | 0.455 | 0.795 | 12595.5 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | SFG | NL | 74 | 221 | 31 | 70 | 9 | 0 | 13 | 35 | 1 | 18 | 34 | 0.317 | 1025.3 |
| 1959 | SFG | NL | 87 | 129 | 20 | 29 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 22 | 0 | 25 | 24 | 0.225 | 279.5 |
| 1960 | STL | NL | 39 | 98 | 12 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 0 | 17 | 17 | 0.214 | -5.7 |
| 1961 | LAA | AL | 133 | 453 | 74 | 127 | 19 | 2 | 28 | 79 | 5 | 48 | 65 | 0.280 | 1614.5 |
| 1962 | LAA | AL | 160 | 612 | 96 | 164 | 21 | 5 | 37 | 107 | 7 | 50 | 87 | 0.268 | 1681.2 |
| 1963 | LAA | AL | 149 | 550 | 73 | 160 | 11 | 1 | 26 | 90 | 5 | 49 | 73 | 0.291 | 2040.8 |
| 1964 | CLE | AL | 163 | 641 | 94 | 162 | 19 | 2 | 31 | 100 | 14 | 56 | 121 | 0.253 | 1052.4 |
| 1965 | CLE | AL | 144 | 517 | 91 | 152 | 18 | 1 | 28 | 79 | 12 | 60 | 52 | 0.294 | 2718.0 |
| 1966 | CLE | AL | 150 | 549 | 70 | 153 | 20 | 0 | 23 | 66 | 5 | 46 | 69 | 0.279 | 1374.6 |
| 1967 | CLE | AL | 135 | 433 | 56 | 105 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 54 | 3 | 37 | 76 | 0.242 | 515.9 |
| 1968 | CHW | AL | 69 | 162 | 14 | 46 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 2 | 21 | 31 | 0.284 | 409.5 |
| 1968 | CLE | AL | 38 | 49 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0.184 | 409.5 |
| 1969 | SFG | NL | 11 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0.333 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 1140 | 1110 | 1705 | 51 | 65 | 5 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | SFN | OF | 57 | 56 | 89 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1959 | SFN | OF | 28 | 24 | 48 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 1960 | SLN | OF | 32 | 26 | 48 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 1961 | LAA | OF | 116 | 113 | 187 | 12 | 6 | 2 |
| 1962 | LAA | OF | 156 | 154 | 269 | 7 | 8 | 1 |
| 1963 | LAA | OF | 141 | 140 | 254 | 7 | 11 | 1 |
| 1964 | CLE | OF | 163 | 160 | 254 | 5 | 11 | 0 |
| 1965 | CLE | OF | 134 | 132 | 175 | 3 | 8 | 0 |
| 1966 | CLE | OF | 139 | 138 | 185 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 1967 | CLE | OF | 117 | 115 | 142 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| 1968 | CHA | OF | 46 | 41 | 48 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 1968 | CLE | OF | 10 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 1969 | SFN | OF | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 1027 |
| Right Field | 127 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | All-Star Game MVP | 1st Game |
| 1962 | TSN All-Star | OF |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee | AL | 1953 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 21th | 4.0 | 280 | 0 |
| 1964 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 17th | 9.0 | 280 | 0 |
| 1963 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 19th | 9.0 | 280 | 0 |
| 1962 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 4th | 85.0 | 280 | 0 |