Leon Roberts

Leon Kauffman Roberts

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 200 lb.
• School University of Michigan
• High School Portage Northern High School
• Debut September 3, 1974
• Final Game September 30, 1984
• Born January 22, 1951 in Vicksburg, MI USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Leon Roberts holds the major league record for most home runs by a player born on January 22nd (78). In the middle of his MLB career, he tried out for the Houston Oilers of the NFL and made the team as an end and punter. He had planned to play only on Sundays and then full-time after the baseball season [1]. The Houston Astros found out his ruse and raised his salary to get him to quit football.

In 1989, Roberts played for the Winter Haven Super Sox of the Senior Professional Baseball Association and later replaced Ed Nottle as the club's manager. He hit .290 with 8 homers and 44 RBI in 65 games for the club. In 1990, he played for the San Bernardino Pride of the SPBA. He played in 25 games and was batting .300 with 3 home runs and 22 RBI when the league folded.

Roberts worked in the Atlanta Braves organization from 1992 to 1999 and was the Tampa Bay Devil Rays hitting coach in 1999 and 2000. From 2001 to 2006 he was the Cincinnati Reds' minor league hitting coordinator. In 2007 he was named coach of the Richmond Braves. From 2008 to 2011 he was the Braves hitting coordinator. Roberts moved to the Houston Astros' organization as coach of the Oklahoma City RedHawks in 2012-2014 and Fresno Grizzlies in 2015. Moving to the Kansas City Royals' organization, Roberts coached the Northwest Arkansas Naturals in 2017-2018.

Roberts' brother, Bill Roberts, was an outfielder in the Houston Astros chain.

Notable Achievements

• 20-Home Run Seasons: 1 (1978)

Year-By-Year Minor League Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Organization	Playoffs	Notes
1985	Nashville Sounds	American Association	2-5	--	Detroit Tigers		replaced Lee Walls (3-4) April 19/ replaced by Gordon Mackenzie (66-61) April 26
1986	Nashville Sounds	American Association	68-74	6th	Detroit Tigers
1987	Toledo Mud Hens	International League	70-70	5th	Detroit Tigers
1988	Fayetteville Generals	South Atlantic League	62-73	10th	Detroit Tigers
1989	Winter Haven Super Sox	SPBA	12-20	8th	Senior League		replaced Bill Lee and Ed Nottle (17-23)
1992	Durham Bulls	Carolina League	70-70	3rd	Atlanta Braves
1993	Durham Bulls	Carolina League	69-69	5th	Atlanta Braves
1994	Macon Braves	South Atlantic League	73-64	6th	Atlanta Braves