Bob Lesslie

Robert W. Lesslie Jr.

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 210 lb.
• Schools Kansas State University, Meramec Community College

• Born March 7, 1951 in St. Louis, MO, USA

BR minors page

Biographical Information

Bob Lesslie played six years in the minor leagues, reaching AAA. He was 56-56 overall.

The Pittsburgh Pirates took Lesslie in the 22nd round of the 1971 amateur draft but he did not sign.

Lesslie was the first player picked in the first round of the secondary phase of the 1972 amateur draft, chosen by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He debuted professionally with the Spokane Indians and went 6-7 with one save and a 4.01 ERA. He completed 8 of 14 starts. In 1973, Bob was starring for the Daytona Beach Dodgers. He went 12-10 with a 2.07 ERA, allowing 132 hits in 161 innings. He finished second in the Florida State League in ERA, trailing only Mike Proly. Surprisingly, Lesslie was left off the league All-Star team.

Bob made it to the AA Eastern League in 1974 with the Waterbury Dodgers. There, he was 7-9 with a 3.38 ERA in 23 games. It was a relatively low-scoring league, so he failed to make the top 10 in ERA. In 1975, he returned to Waterbury and had a second big year - 15-8, 2.19. In 193 innings, he allowed 166 hits and struck out 114. He finished 16 of 28 starts, including 3 shutouts. He was third in the Eastern League in complete games and tied for fourth in shutouts. He tied for the lead with 28 starts and was third in ERA. Only Randy Lerch won more games in the EL. Lesslie again failed to make the cut for the post-season All-Star team as three other pitchers got the nod.

The right-hander made it to the AAA Pacific Coast League in 1976 with the Albuquerque Dukes. He was 7-14 with a 5.13 ERA and allowed 213 hits in 172 IP. His ERA was not far below league average due to it being a high-scoring circuit. He pitched a shutout of the champion Salt Lake City Gulls, fanning 10 in his season finale.

In 1977, Lesslie did not report to spring training with the Dodgers and asked to be sold to the California Angels. Without spring training, he began the season in AA to get into shape and was 7-7 with a 5.78 ERA for the El Paso Diablos and had a strong finish in his last 3 starts. He was promoted back to AAA in July and went 2-1 with a 3.65 ERA for the AAA Salt Lake City Gulls to conclude his career. He beat his old teammates, the Dukes, in his last outing.

The hard throwing right hander attended spring training with the Los Angeles Dodgers Major League Club as a non-roster player in 1974, 1975 & 1976.

After he finished his career, Lesslie became CEO of Lesslie Consulting, Inc.

Sources: 1973-1978 Baseball Guides