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Leon Day was a great pitcher, as well as an outstanding athlete. When he wasn’t pitching, he often started at second base or in the outfield.
“Leon Day was probably the finest all-around player I’ve ever seen. He was a good pitcher, had the heart of a lion and a real good fastball. He threw as hard as Bob Gibson, was a good hitter, could outrun me and played a great outfield.”
Hall of Famer Monte Irvin
Day’s career spanned from 1934-1950, playing for the Baltimore Black Sox, Newark Eagles, and Baltimore Elite Giants, as well as several other teams. His fastball was his best pitch, but he also had a good curve and change of pace. He was fast (10 second 100-yard dash in a baseball uniform) and a good hitter (batting .469 one season). In 1937 he went a perfect 13-0 for the Newark Eagles.
Leon Day pitched an opening day no-hitter for the Newark Eagles against the Philadelphia Stars in 1946. This was after he returned home from service in World War II.
Leon Day was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995.