Leon McFadden facts for kids

Leon McFadden (born April 26, 1944) is an American former professional baseball player. He was a right-handed shortstop and outfielder. Leon played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros from 1968 to 1970. He also played one season in Japan for the Hanshin Tigers in 1972.

Playing Baseball

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

Starting in the Major Leagues

Leon McFadden was first signed by the Houston Colt .45s in 1963. He was 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighed 195 pounds.

He made his first appearance in a Major League game on September 6, 1968. He played against the Atlanta Braves. In his first time at bat, Leon got a base hit!

During 1968, Leon played in 16 games for the Astros. He had 13 hits in 47 times at bat. This gave him a .277 batting average. He also scored two runs and helped one teammate score.

Later Seasons

In 1969, Leon McFadden was mostly a bench player. He appeared in 44 games but had fewer chances to bat. He got 13 hits in 74 times at bat, with a .176 batting average.

In 1970, he played in two games as a pinch runner. A pinch runner is a player who runs the bases for another player. His last MLB game was on April 28, 1970.

Overall, Leon played in 62 Major League games. He had 26 hits in 121 times at bat, for a .215 batting average. He hit three doubles and helped four teammates score runs. He also stole two bases. His fielding percentage was .962, which means he was good at catching and throwing the ball.

Playing in Japan

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

Family Life

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