Leo Callahan

Leo David Callahan

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 5' 8", Weight 142 lb.

• Debut April 9, 1913
• Final Game September 28, 1919
• Born August 9, 1890 in Jamaica Plain, MA USA
• Died May 2, 1982 in Erie, PA USA

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Biographical Information

Leo Callahan played two years in the big leagues. He was with the Brooklyn Superbas for 33 games in 1913, and then years later was with the Philadelphia Phillies for 81 games in 1919, which was enough to get listed as a regular outfielder for the team.

Leo was born in Jamaica Plain, MA, now part of Boston. He started in the minors in 1912 with the Elmira Colonels, hitting exactly .300 in 120 games. He was up with the major league Superbas in April of 1913, and appeared in some games with the team in each of April, May, June, July and August, but also played 16 games that year with the Toronto Maple Leafs, hitting .305. Leo was 22 in 1913, the same age as fellow Superbas outfielder Casey Stengel.

Leo then spent 1913 to 1917 with Newark (one year the team was Newark/Harrisburg), three times hitting over .300, although without much power.

Leo was apparently part of the strong Charlestown Navy Yard team in 1918, but was then sent to the Naval District in Boston for duty. [1]

In 1919 Callahan was not the player who appeared the most in left, center or right field. Nor was he the player who appeared the second-most at any of those positions. However, all told, his 58 games in the outfield made him the third-most-utlilized outfielder, and so he is listed as a regular. He had 32 games in right field, 25 as a pinch-hitter, 17 in left field and 9 in center field.

"Leo Callahan . . . broke his right leg just before the season closed and now has two broken legs. He busted an ankle two years before at Toronto. Leo does not know how to slide, and it is his biggest handicap - for in all other respects he is a great little ball player." - Newark Evening Star, December 17, 1915

Related Sites

• Find-A-Grave Memorial for Leo Callahan