Leon McFadden facts for kids

Leon McFadden (born April 26, 1944) is an American former professional baseball player. He played as a shortstop and outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros. He also played one season in Japan for the Hanshin Tigers.

Playing Baseball

Early Life and High School

Before becoming a professional baseball player, Leon McFadden went to John C. Fremont High School in Los Angeles, California. He played baseball there with several other students who also became professional players. Some of these players included Brock Davis, Willie Crawford, Bobby Tolan, and Bob Watson.

Starting His Professional Career

Leon McFadden was first signed by the Houston Colt .45s in 1963. He was not chosen in the regular draft, but the team still wanted him. He was a tall player, standing 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters) and weighing 195 pounds (88 kg).

Major League Debut

McFadden made his first appearance in Major League Baseball on September 6, 1968. He played against the Atlanta Braves. In his very first time at bat, he got a base hit, which means he hit the ball and reached a base safely.

During the 1968 season, McFadden played in 16 games for the Astros. He got 13 hits in 47 times at bat, which gave him a batting average of .277. He also scored two runs and helped his team score one run.

Playing as a Bench Player

In 1969, McFadden was mostly a bench player, meaning he did not start every game. He played in 44 games but had fewer chances to bat, only 74 times. He got 13 hits that season, with a batting average of .176.

In 1970, he played in only two games. He was used as a pinch runner, which means he ran the bases for another player. His last game in MLB was on April 28, 1970. A couple of months later, he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. However, he never played a game for the Cardinals.

Overall MLB Stats

In total, Leon McFadden played in 62 Major League Baseball games. He had 26 hits in 121 times at bat, giving him a career batting average of .215. He hit three doubles but no home runs. He scored five runs and helped his team score four runs. He also stole two bases. His fielding percentage, which shows how well he played defense, was .962.

Playing in Japan

After his time in MLB, Leon McFadden played one season in Japan. In 1972, he played 54 games for the Hanshin Tigers. He had a good batting average of .283, hit two home runs, and helped his team score six runs.

Family Life

Leon McFadden has a son also named Leon McFadden. His son is an American football player. He plays as a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at San Diego State University.