Buck Leonard Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles
BUCK LEONARD
Born: September 08, 1907 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Died: November 27, 1997 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Born: September 8, 1907 in Rocky Mount, NC
Inducted into the Hall of Fame by Negro League Committee as Player in 1972.
Died: November 27, 1997 in Rocky Mount, NC (Aged 90)
BUCK LEONARD
This article was written by Ralph Berger and is presented in part, courtesy of the Society for American Baseball Research
Negro league fans called him “the black Lou Gehrig,” putting Buck Leonard in pretty lofty company. It didn’t hurt Buck that he followed Josh Gibson, “the black Babe Ruth,” in the Homestead Grays’ lineup. Was Buck Leonard the equal of Gehrig as a first baseman and hitter? He probably was a better first baseman than the Iron Horse, having acquired a reputation for being very good around the bag, whereas Lou was essentially adequate. Was he the hitter that Gehrig was? Probably not. Leonard’s .328 batting average and .532 slugging percentage as listed in The Baseball Encyclopedia are impressive, but he’s a dozen points behind Gehrig in average and an even hundred short in slugging. More recently, Lawrence Hogan calculates his numbers a bit lower, at .320 and .527. Leonard was an excellent hitter, but Gehrig was in a class almost by himself. Moreover, while Buck often faced exceptional talent, it wasn’t always major-league caliber. As men of dignity and universal respect, however, Gehrig and Leonard are, in essence, twins.
Walter “Buck” Leonard’s road to the Baseball Hall of Fame was no cakewalk. He had to leave the public school system at age 14 because where he lived there was no school for African American boys at the high school level. For the next 12 years until he was 26, he worked as a mill hand, shoeshine boy, and finally shop worker for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad.
Buck Leonard was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, on September 8, 1907. His father John was a railroad fireman and his mother Emma Leonard (nee Sesson) a housewife. Buck Leonard was one of six children, including three sisters (Fanny, Willa, and Lena) and two brothers (Herman and Charlie). His family was religious and attended church every Sunday. Buck wasn’t able to go to church as often as he wished when playing baseball but in retirement resumed his church going every Sunday. Leonard got his nickname “Buck” from his younger brother Charlie. Leonard’s parents nicknamed him Buddy, but Charlie had trouble pronouncing Buddy and called him Bucky.
Film Credits
1994-1994-MLB-All-Star-Game (in person)
Style
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BUCK LEONARD - AUTOGRAPH - HFSID 113965Card signed by Buck Leonard in blue ink, featuring the signature "Buck Leonard." Leonard, a prominent Negro League player, teamed with Josh Gibson to secure nine championships and is remembered as a powerful hitter and skilled first baseman.Price: $110.00
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BUCK LEONARD - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED BASEBALL - HFSID 135323Baseball signed: "Buck Leonard" on a Rawlings Official National League baseball. Leonard, a prominent player for the Homestead Grays, was known for his powerful hitting and leadership, playing alongside Josh Gibson. Both were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.Price: $320.00
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BUCK LEONARD - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED BASEBALL - HFSID 284809Baseball signed: "Buck Leonard". This Rawlings Official National League baseball is autographed in blue ballpoint on the sweet spot. Leonard, a key player for the Homestead Grays, was a Hall of Fame inductee in 1972.Sale Price $225.00
$280.00
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BUCK LEONARD - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED CHECK 01/05/1989 - HFSID 290091Check signed by Walter Leonard for $82.83, dated January 5, 1989, drawn on the joint account of Mr. and Mrs. Walter F. Leonard. Entirely filled out by Leonard, with memo "Lights." Check #1777 from Planters Bank.Price: $240.00
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BUCK LEONARD - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED CHECK 02/25/1989 - HFSID 270955Check signed by Walter Leonard, dated February 25, 1989, drawn on the account of Mr. & Mrs. Walter F. Leonard in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Leonard, a legendary Negro League player, is noted for his power hitting and leadership.Price: $240.00
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BUCK LEONARD - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 290776Photograph of Buck Leonard in his Homestead Grays uniform, signed "Buck Leonard", includes a PSA/DNA sticker and Certificate of Authenticity. Leonard, a Hall of Fame player, led the Grays to nine consecutive championships during his career.Price: $200.00
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BUCK LEONARD - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 114503Photograph of Buck Leonard, shown swinging a bat during practice, is signed with "Buck Leonard". Leonard, a prominent player in the Negro Leagues, was known for his powerful hitting and leadership, playing alongside Josh Gibson.Price: $260.00
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BUCK LEONARD - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 114504Sepia photograph shows Buck Leonard hitting balls during practice, signed with "Buck Leonard." Leonard, known for his powerful hitting and leadership, played a key role in the Homestead Grays' success in the Negro National League.Price: $260.00
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BUCK LEONARD - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 158899Photograph of Buck Leonard shows him in batting stance wearing a Durango uniform from the Mexican League. It is signed "Buck Leonard". Leonard, a prominent player in the Negro Leagues, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.Price: $260.00
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BUCK LEONARD - BASEBALL BAT SIGNED - HFSID 113387Baseball bat signed by Buck Leonard in blue ink on the barrel. The Rawlings Big Stick Adirondack bat is engraved with Leonard's name and Hall of Fame year. Leonard, a notable player, is recognized for his achievements in the Negro Leagues.Price: $340.00
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BUCK LEONARD - BASEBALL HALL OF FAME PLAQUE POSTCARD SIGNED - HFSID 100363Postcard signed by Buck Leonard, displaying his Hall of Fame plaque. Leonard, a prominent Negro League player, was known for his exceptional hitting and leadership, earning a place in the Hall of Fame in 1972. Signed as "Buck Leonard."Sale Price $135.00
$160.00
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BUCK LEONARD - COLLECTION WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 90732Handsome display includes a signed Hall of Fame card and a signed baseball. The card is signed with the text, "Buck Leonard," and the baseball is also signed, "Buck Leonard." Both items are mounted on a pedestal.Price: $500.00
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BUCK LEONARD - COLLECTION WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 90741Desk set includes a signed Baseball Hall of Fame Plaque postcard and an official Rawlings baseball, both signed by Buck Leonard. The postcard has the inscription "Buck Leonard" and the baseball is also signed "Buck Leonard".Sale Price $425.00
$500.00
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BUCK LEONARD - PEREZ-STEELE POSTCARD SIGNED - HFSID 113688Postcard featuring Buck Leonard in a Homestead Grays uniform is signed "Buck Leonard". It is a Perez-Steele postcard from the Fifth Series Set, Card 132, numbered 09952/10,000, commemorating his legacy in baseball history.Price: $160.00
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BUCK LEONARD - PEREZ-STEELE POSTCARD SIGNED - HFSID 113754Postcard featuring Buck Leonard shows two images of him in Grays uniform. Signed with the inscription "Buck Leonard", it is a Perez-Steele color postcard, numbered 08384/10,000. Leonard, a Hall of Famer, played in the Negro Leagues and the Mexican League.Sale Price $135.00
$160.00
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BUCK LEONARD - PROGRAM SIGNED CIRCA 1989 - HFSID 291084Program signed by Buck Leonard, commemorating the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Baseball Hall of Fame. This 30-page program includes Leonard's signature on the front cover and highlights his contributions to the Negro Leagues alongside Josh Gibson.Sale Price $135.00
$160.00
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HALL OF FAME 50TH ANNIVERSARY - BASEBALL BAT SIGNED WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 113402Baseball bat signed by 24 Hall of Famers, including Bob Lemon, Willie Stargell, and Warren Spahn. This Hall of Fame 50th Anniversary bat is produced by Cooperstown Bat Company and commemorates the achievements of celebrated players.Price: $2,250.00
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HALL OF FAME BASEBALL - AUTOGRAPH WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 56080Cardstock signed by sixteen baseball Hall of Famers includes signatures such as A B Chandler, Ralph Kiner, and Johnny Mize. A Hall of Fame logo is affixed at the center, with a listing of signatures written in silver ink on the verso.Price: $400.00
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HALL OF FAME BASEBALL - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED BASEBALL 08/18/1975 WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 159057Baseball signed by eight Hall of Famers during the 1975 induction ceremony, including Chas Gehringer, Earl Averill, Jocko Conlon, Judy Johnson, Billy Herman, Bob Feller, Monte Irvin, and Buck Leonard. Dated 8-18-75.Sale Price $675.00
$800.00
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HALL OF FAME BASEBALL - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED BASEBALL WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 164726Baseball signed by eight Hall of Famers including Ted Williams, Stanley Coveleski, Lloyd Waner, Wm. H. Bill Terry, Buck Leonard, Earl Averill, Monte Irvin, and Waite C. Hoyt. All signers are Hall of Famers, with five being All-Stars.Price: $950.00
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HALL OF FAME BASEBALL - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED BASEBALL WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 158931Baseball signed by eleven Hall of Famers, including "Ted Williams", "Earl Averill", "Stan Coveleski", and others. This Rawlings regulation baseball was made in Haiti and includes notable signatures from legends of the game.Sale Price $495.00
$600.00
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HALL OF FAME BASEBALL - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 275228Photograph signed by "Warren Spahn," "Buck Leonard," "Joe Sewell," "Luke Appling," "Monte Irvin," "Billy Herman," "Ernie Banks," "Bob Feller," and "Lou Boudreau." Captured during the Hall of Fame's Old Timers Game in 1989.Price: $550.00
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HALL OF FAME BASEBALL - FIRST DAY COVER SIGNED WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 156689First Day Cover signed by "Buck Leonard", "Billy Williams", "Bob Doerr", "Bob Lemon", "Lou Boudreau", and "Jim Catfish Hunter", honoring Independence Hall and the American flag, postmarked November 15, 1975, in Philadelphia, PA.Price: $300.00
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HALL OF FAME BASEBALL - FIRST DAY COVER SIGNED WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 156693First day cover signed by eight Baseball Hall of Famers, including "Buck Leonard", "Chas. Gehringer", "Bob Doerr", "Bob Lemon", "Hank Aaron", "Warren Spahn", "Lou Boudreau", and "Jim Catfish Hunter", postmarked March 29, 1985.Price: $280.00
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JAMES "COOL PAPA" BELL - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED BASEBALL WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 135548Official American League Brown Baseball signed by James 'Cool Papa' Bell, Judy Johnson, Ray Dandridge, and Lou Dials. All players except Dials are in the Baseball Hall of Fame, with Bell's signature being shaky but legible.Price: $600.00
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RAY DANDRIDGE - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED BASEBALL WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 289786Baseball signed by Buck Leonard and Ray Dandridge in blue ink, featuring their names "Buck Leonard" and "Ray Dandridge". This Rawlings Official American League Baseball was not signed in the sweet spot. Both players are Hall of Fame inductees.Sale Price $225.00
$280.00

