Lee Wheat
Encyclopedia
Leroy William Wheat was a right-handed pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1954 and the Kansas City Athletics in 1955.
Prior to playing professionally, he attended Truman State University
. He was originally signed by the Cleveland Indians
prior to the 1948 season, however on February 19, 1954, he was traded with Bill Upton
to the Athletics for Dave Philley
.
Wheat began his major league career on April 21, 1954 at the age of 24 against the Washington Senators
. Relieving Marion Fricano
, Wheat pitched three innings, allowing six runs on five hits and five walks. In eight games with the Athletics in 1954, Wheat went 0-2 with a 5.72 ERA. He appeared in three games for the Kansas City Athletics in 1955, going 0-0 with a 22.50 ERA. On April 23 of that year, he pitched in his final major league game. Overall, he went 0-2 with a 6.82 ERA in 11 appearances.
On April 16, 1956, Wheat was traded from Kansas City with Tom Saffell
and cash to the Brooklyn Dodgers for Tim Thompson
, though he never appeared in the major leagues with them.
Wheat spent nine seasons playing minor league baseball, going 51-49 in 224 games. In 1949, his first professional season, he went 17-9 with a 2.77 ERA for the Dayton Indians.
Prior to playing professionally, he attended Truman State University
Truman State University
Truman State University is a public liberal arts and sciences university in Missouri, United States and a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. About 6,000 students attend Truman, pursuing degrees in 43 undergraduate and 9 Graduate programs. It is located in Kirksville in...
. He was originally signed by the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
prior to the 1948 season, however on February 19, 1954, he was traded with Bill Upton
Bill Upton
William Ray "Bill" Upton was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played in with the Philadelphia Athletics. He batted and threw right-handed....
to the Athletics for Dave Philley
Dave Philley
David Earl Philley is a former outfielder who played in Major League Baseball. A switch-hitter who threw right-handed, he debuted on September 6, and played his final game on August 6, . He was born in Paris, Texas....
.
Wheat began his major league career on April 21, 1954 at the age of 24 against the Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. Relieving Marion Fricano
Marion Fricano
Marion John Fricano was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched all or part of four seasons in the majors, from until , for the Athletics .-External links:*...
, Wheat pitched three innings, allowing six runs on five hits and five walks. In eight games with the Athletics in 1954, Wheat went 0-2 with a 5.72 ERA. He appeared in three games for the Kansas City Athletics in 1955, going 0-0 with a 22.50 ERA. On April 23 of that year, he pitched in his final major league game. Overall, he went 0-2 with a 6.82 ERA in 11 appearances.
On April 16, 1956, Wheat was traded from Kansas City with Tom Saffell
Tom Saffell
Thomas Judson Saffell is a former major league outfielder from Etowah, Tennessee-Early life:Saffell grew up playing sports, especially fast-pitch softball. His team won the state tournament and played in a national tournament in Detroit, Michigan. After completing high school in 1940, Saffell...
and cash to the Brooklyn Dodgers for Tim Thompson
Tim Thompson
Charles Lemoine Thompson was a catcher in Major League Baseball. He played from 1954-1958 with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Kansas City Athletics and Detroit Tigers.He was a coach for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1981....
, though he never appeared in the major leagues with them.
Wheat spent nine seasons playing minor league baseball, going 51-49 in 224 games. In 1949, his first professional season, he went 17-9 with a 2.77 ERA for the Dayton Indians.