During an MLB career of only 3½ years, Leppert nonetheless distinguished himself by hitting a home run on the first pitch thrown to him in the majors. On June 18, 1961, Leppert connected in the second inning of his MLB debut against Curt Simmons of the St. Louis Cardinals; the blow gave the Pirates a 2–1 lead in a game they would eventually win, 5–3.[1]
Almost two years later, on April 11, 1963, he hit three homers in his third game in the American League: a solo shot off Ike Delock in the fourth inning, followed by a three-run blast and another solo homer, both off relief pitcherChet Nichols Jr., as the Senators beat the Boston Red Sox, 8–0, at DC Stadium. To top it all off, Leppert caught Tom Cheney's one-hit shutout, with the Washington pitcher striking out ten Red Sox.[2]
That season, Leppert was selected as a reserve on the American League All-Star team, but he did not play in the July 9 game at Cleveland Stadium.[3]
In 190 Major League games, Leppert collected 122 hits, including 22 doubles and 15 home runs. He batted .229.
Coaching careeredit
After his playing career ended in the minors in 1966, Leppert managed in Class A in the Pittsburgh organization in 1967.
Leppert then embarked upon an 18-year stint as a Major League coach for the Pirates (1968–1976), Toronto Blue Jays (1977–1979) and Houston Astros (1980–1985).
In the late 1980s, Leppert served as field coordinator of minor league instruction for the Minnesota Twins and managed in the Twins' farm system.
Leppert also umpired a game on August 25, 1978, in Toronto during an umpires' strike.[4] The Blue Jays' Leppert and Jerry Zimmerman, then the bullpen coach of the Twins, are the last two active coaches to umpire a major league game.
Personal life and deathedit
Leppert and his wife, Daphne, had five children. He died on April 13, 2023, at his home in Delaware, Ohio, at the age of 91.[5]
^. Archived from the original on 2017-07-14. Retrieved 2007-04-14.
^Perrotto, John. "Don Leppert, first base coach for '71 Pirates title team, dead at 91". WPXI. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
External linksedit
Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
April 10, 2024
leppert, confused, with, second, baseman, donald, george, leppert, october, 1931, april, 2023, american, professional, baseball, player, coach, leppert, 1963catcherborn, 1931, october, 1931indianapolis, indiana, died, april, 2023, 2023, aged, delaware, ohio, b. Not to be confused with Don Leppert second baseman Donald George Leppert October 19 1931 April 13 2023 was an American professional baseball player and coach Don LeppertLeppert in 1963CatcherBorn 1931 10 19 October 19 1931Indianapolis Indiana U S Died April 13 2023 2023 04 13 aged 91 Delaware Ohio U S Batted RightThrew RightMLB debutJune 18 1961 for the Pittsburgh PiratesLast MLB appearanceSeptember 16 1964 for the Washington SenatorsMLB statisticsBatting average 229Home runs15Runs batted in59TeamsPittsburgh Pirates 1961 1962 Washington Senators 1963 1964 Career highlights and awardsAll Star 1963 A catcher Leppert appeared in Major League Baseball MLB from 1961 to 1964 for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Senators Leppert threw and batted right handed he stood 6 feet 2 inches 1 88 m tall and weighed 220 pounds 100 kg He was born in Indianapolis and began his 12 year active career in 1955 in the Milwaukee Braves organization Contents 1 Playing career 2 Coaching career 3 Personal life and death 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksPlaying career editDuring an MLB career of only 3 years Leppert nonetheless distinguished himself by hitting a home run on the first pitch thrown to him in the majors On June 18 1961 Leppert connected in the second inning of his MLB debut against Curt Simmons of the St Louis Cardinals the blow gave the Pirates a 2 1 lead in a game they would eventually win 5 3 1 Almost two years later on April 11 1963 he hit three homers in his third game in the American League a solo shot off Ike Delock in the fourth inning followed by a three run blast and another solo homer both off relief pitcher Chet Nichols Jr as the Senators beat the Boston Red Sox 8 0 at DC Stadium To top it all off Leppert caught Tom Cheney s one hit shutout with the Washington pitcher striking out ten Red Sox 2 That season Leppert was selected as a reserve on the American League All Star team but he did not play in the July 9 game at Cleveland Stadium 3 In 190 Major League games Leppert collected 122 hits including 22 doubles and 15 home runs He batted 229 Coaching career editAfter his playing career ended in the minors in 1966 Leppert managed in Class A in the Pittsburgh organization in 1967 Leppert then embarked upon an 18 year stint as a Major League coach for the Pirates 1968 1976 Toronto Blue Jays 1977 1979 and Houston Astros 1980 1985 In the late 1980s Leppert served as field coordinator of minor league instruction for the Minnesota Twins and managed in the Twins farm system Leppert also umpired a game on August 25 1978 in Toronto during an umpires strike 4 The Blue Jays Leppert and Jerry Zimmerman then the bullpen coach of the Twins are the last two active coaches to umpire a major league game Personal life and death editLeppert and his wife Daphne had five children He died on April 13 2023 at his home in Delaware Ohio at the age of 91 5 See also editHome run in first Major League at batReferences edit Pittsburgh Pirates 5 St Louis Cardinals 3 1 Retrosheet June 18 1961 Washington Senators 8 Boston Red Sox 0 Retrosheet April 11 1963 The ESPN Baseball Encyclopedia Sterling Publishing 2006 ISBN 1 4027 4771 3 Cool of the Evening Jerry Zimmerman Archived from the original on 2017 07 14 Retrieved 2007 04 14 Perrotto John Don Leppert first base coach for 71 Pirates title team dead at 91 WPXI Retrieved April 17 2023 External links editCareer statistics and player information from MLB or Baseball Reference or Baseball Reference Minors or Retrosheet Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Don Leppert amp oldid 1217818450, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
