Leon Wagner
Encyclopedia
Leon Lamar Wagner was an American
left fielder
in Major League Baseball
who played with the San Francisco Giants
(1958–59, 1969), St. Louis Cardinals
(1960), Los Angeles Angels
(1961–63), Cleveland Indians
(1964–68) and Chicago White Sox
(1968). He batted left-handed and threw right-handed. Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee
, Wagner graduated from Tuskegee University
. He was affectionately known as "Daddy Wags" during his playing days.
with 211 home run
s and 669 RBI
in 1352 games
.
Wagner was 24 years old when he broke into the big leagues on June 22, 1958. A solid line-drive hitter and colorful player, in his rookie year Wagner compiled a .307 batting average with 13 home runs in 74 games. With a congested outfield
that included Willie Mays
, Felipe Alou, Orlando Cepeda
and Bill White, he was traded to the Cardinals after the 1959 season.
Wagner played a reserve role for St. Louis in 39 games and hit four home runs. Nevertheless, one of them was a notable one; he entered the major league record books by hitting the first home run ever at Candlestick Park on April 12, 1960, providing the only Cardinals run during a 3-1 loss against his former Giants team.
Traded to the expansion Angels in 1961, Wagner played his first regular season. He responded, hitting .280 with 28 home runs and 79 RBI in 133 games. His most productive season came in 1962, when he blasted 37 homers (third highest in the American League
), and collected 107 RBI, 96 runs
, 164 hits
and 21 doubles
, all career highs, while batting .268. That year he played in both All-Star
games, and in the second contest he went 3-for-4 including a two-run home run, being named the game's Most Valuable Player. One of the first true sluggers in Angels history, Wagner hit 91 home runs with 276 RBI in 442 games. In 1963, after his second All-Star selection, he was sent to the Indians in the same trade that brought Joe Adcock
to the Angels. Wagner had come to very much enjoy playing and living in Los Angeles
, and was resentful toward the Angels over being traded. People who knew him said that he carried that resentment toward the team with him for the rest of his life.
As a Cleveland left fielder, Wagner hit 97 home runs from 1964-67. His best year with the Indians was 1964, when he hit 31 homers with 100 RBI and 94 runs. In 1965 he hit .294 with 28 homers. Wagner also compiled 26 stolen base
s in 30 attempts in 1964-65.
Later in his career, Wagner was a respected pinch hitter
, leading the AL with 46 appearances in 1968 while splitting the season between the Indians and Chicago White Sox
. Purchased by the Cincinnati Reds
in 1968, Wagner returned to the White Sox on April 5, 1969 and released by the White Sox on that same date. Then, he signed as a free agent
with the Giants, making his final appearance in San Francisco on October 2, 1969.
After his playing career ended, Wagner enjoyed some small acting roles, prominently in John Cassavetes
' 1974
film A Woman Under the Influence
, and as a member of Depression-era barnstorming team in The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
(1976
).
On the whole, though, Wagner's life after baseball was not particularly successful—especially in financial terms. In his later years Wagner disappeared from the public eye, fell into substance abuse
and was frequently homeless, living on the streets in South Los Angeles
. At the end of his life, he had adopted a small electrical shed behind a video store in that area as a makeshift home. Wagner died in that shed of natural causes on January 3, 2004. His official obituary stated, not completely inaccurately, that he died 'at home'.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
left fielder
Left fielder
In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who played with the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
(1958–59, 1969), St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
(1960), Los Angeles Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
(1961–63), 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...
(1964–68) and Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
(1968). He batted left-handed and threw right-handed. Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County...
, Wagner graduated from Tuskegee University
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee University is a private, historically black university located in Tuskegee, Alabama, United States. It is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund...
. He was affectionately known as "Daddy Wags" during his playing days.
Career
In a 12-season career, Wagner was a .272 hitterBatting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
with 211 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 669 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
in 1352 games
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
.
Wagner was 24 years old when he broke into the big leagues on June 22, 1958. A solid line-drive hitter and colorful player, in his rookie year Wagner compiled a .307 batting average with 13 home runs in 74 games. With a congested outfield
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
that included Willie Mays
Willie Mays
Willie Howard Mays, Jr. is a retired American professional baseball player who played the majority of his major league career with the New York and San Francisco Giants before finishing with the New York Mets. Nicknamed The Say Hey Kid, Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his...
, Felipe Alou, Orlando Cepeda
Orlando Cepeda
Orlando Manuel Cepeda Pennes is a former Puerto Rican Major League Baseball first baseman.Cepeda was born to a poor family. His father, Pedro Cepeda, was a baseball player in Puerto Rico, which influenced his interest in the sport from a young age. His first contact with professional baseball was...
and Bill White, he was traded to the Cardinals after the 1959 season.
Wagner played a reserve role for St. Louis in 39 games and hit four home runs. Nevertheless, one of them was a notable one; he entered the major league record books by hitting the first home run ever at Candlestick Park on April 12, 1960, providing the only Cardinals run during a 3-1 loss against his former Giants team.
Traded to the expansion Angels in 1961, Wagner played his first regular season. He responded, hitting .280 with 28 home runs and 79 RBI in 133 games. His most productive season came in 1962, when he blasted 37 homers (third highest in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
), and collected 107 RBI, 96 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, 164 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
and 21 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, all career highs, while batting .268. That year he played in both All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
games, and in the second contest he went 3-for-4 including a two-run home run, being named the game's Most Valuable Player. One of the first true sluggers in Angels history, Wagner hit 91 home runs with 276 RBI in 442 games. In 1963, after his second All-Star selection, he was sent to the Indians in the same trade that brought Joe Adcock
Joe Adcock
Joseph Wilbur "Billy Joe" Adcock was an American first baseman and right-handed batter in Major League Baseball, best known for his years with the powerful Milwaukee Braves teams of the 1950s, whose career included numerous home run feats...
to the Angels. Wagner had come to very much enjoy playing and living in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, and was resentful toward the Angels over being traded. People who knew him said that he carried that resentment toward the team with him for the rest of his life.
As a Cleveland left fielder, Wagner hit 97 home runs from 1964-67. His best year with the Indians was 1964, when he hit 31 homers with 100 RBI and 94 runs. In 1965 he hit .294 with 28 homers. Wagner also compiled 26 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s in 30 attempts in 1964-65.
Later in his career, Wagner was a respected pinch hitter
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
, leading the AL with 46 appearances in 1968 while splitting the season between the Indians and Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. Purchased by the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
in 1968, Wagner returned to the White Sox on April 5, 1969 and released by the White Sox on that same date. Then, he signed as a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
with the Giants, making his final appearance in San Francisco on October 2, 1969.
After his playing career ended, Wagner enjoyed some small acting roles, prominently in John Cassavetes
John Cassavetes
John Nicholas Cassavetes was an American actor, screenwriter and filmmaker. He acted in many Hollywood films, notably Rosemary's Baby and The Dirty Dozen...
' 1974
1974 in film
The year 1974 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*February 7 - Blazing Saddles is released in the USA.*August 7 - Peter Wolf, lead singer of The J...
film A Woman Under the Influence
A Woman Under the Influence
A Woman Under the Influence is a 1974 American drama film written and directed by John Cassavetes. It focuses on a woman whose psychotic behavior leads her husband to commit her for psychiatric treatment and the effect this has on their family. It received two Academy Award nominations for Best...
, and as a member of Depression-era barnstorming team in The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings is a comedic sports film about a team of enterprising ex-Negro League baseball players in the era of racial segregation. Loosely based upon William Brashler's novel of the same name, it starred Billy Dee Williams, James Earl Jones and Richard Pryor...
(1976
1976 in film
The year 1976 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*March 22 - Filming begins on George Lucas' Star Wars science fiction film...
).
On the whole, though, Wagner's life after baseball was not particularly successful—especially in financial terms. In his later years Wagner disappeared from the public eye, fell into substance abuse
Substance abuse
A substance-related disorder is an umbrella term used to describe several different conditions associated with several different substances .A substance related disorder is a condition in which an individual uses or abuses a...
and was frequently homeless, living on the streets in South Los Angeles
South Los Angeles
South Los Angeles, often abbreviated as South L.A. and formerly South Central Los Angeles, is the official name for a large geographic and cultural portion lying to the southwest and southeast of downtown Los Angeles, California. The area was formerly called South Central, and is still widely known...
. At the end of his life, he had adopted a small electrical shed behind a video store in that area as a makeshift home. Wagner died in that shed of natural causes on January 3, 2004. His official obituary stated, not completely inaccurately, that he died 'at home'.
Fact
- Although Wagner debuted with the Giants in 1958 and ended his career with them eleven years later, of the 1152 games in which he played, only 172 were in a Giants uniform.
Quote
- Always well-dressed, he owned a clothing store whose slogan was "Buy Your Rags at Daddy Wags" - Rich Mazzeri, at Baseball Library http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/W/Wagner_Leon.stm
Trivia
- Wagner was depicted on a 1969 Topps baseball cardToppsThe Topps Company, Inc., manufactures chewing gum, candy and collectibles. Based in New York, New York, Topps is best known as a leading producer of baseball cards, football cards, basketball cards, hockey cards and other sports and non-sports themed trading cards.-Company history:Topps itself was...
as a member of the Cincinnati Reds, but never played for them.
- Shortly after the Angels traded Wagner to Cleveland, Leon Schwab, who owned the famous drugstore in Hollywood, made a comment about Wagner that was printed in Baseball Digest. Upon hearing that the Angels traded Wagner to the Indians for Joe AdcockJoe AdcockJoseph Wilbur "Billy Joe" Adcock was an American first baseman and right-handed batter in Major League Baseball, best known for his years with the powerful Milwaukee Braves teams of the 1950s, whose career included numerous home run feats...
and Barry LatmanBarry LatmanArnold Barry Latman is a former professional baseball pitcher.-Career:He played all or part of 11 seasons in the majors, from until , for the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles/California Angels, and Houston Astros.He was an All Star in both 1961 and 1962...
--Schwab's son-in-lawSon-in-LawSon-in-Law was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and an influential sire, especially for sport horses.The National Horseracing Museum says that Son-in-Law is "probably the best and most distinguished stayer this country has ever known." Described as "one of the principal influences for stamina in...
--Schwab asked, "Is THAT all they got for Wagner?"