Len Tucker

Leonard W. Tucker

• Bats Right, Throws Left
• Height 6' 2", Weight 195 lb.
• School Fresno City College, College of the Sequoias, Southern Illinois University

• Born November 18, 1929 in Mounds, IL USA
• Died July 25, 2011 in Fresno, CA USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

In 1956, lifelong minor leaguer Len Tucker achieved the greatest combination of power and speed in organized baseball when he hit .404 with 51 homers, 181 RBI and league leading totals of 47 stolen bases and 181 runs for the Pampa Oilers in the class B Southwestern League. He also led the Three-I League in stolen bases in 1954 (47) and 1955 (31), and the Northwest League in 1960 (48).

In May of 1953, he was the first African-American player to be signed by the St. Louis Cardinals after starring at Fresno City College. He spent three seasons in their system, one with the Fresno Cardinals of the California League and the next two with the Peoria Chiefs of the Three-I League, but in spite of putting up good numbers was let go after the 1955 season. This was likely because he was striking out over 100 times per season, which was considered a big issue at the time. He played in the Mexican League in 1956 and 1957 after his record-setting season with Pampa, then returned to affiliated baseball in 1959 and continued playing in various minor leagues until 1963, showing excellent production at every level except in AAA.