Leon Wagner

Leon Lamar Wagner
(Daddy Wags)

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 195 lb.
• School Tuskegee Institute
• High School Inkster High School
• Debut June 22, 1958
• Final Game October 2, 1969
• Born May 13, 1934 in Chattanooga, TN USA
• Died January 3, 2004 in Los Angeles, CA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Leon Wagner (Daddy Wags) was the first big hitting star of the expansion Los Angeles Angels, whom he joined in 1961. He had broken in with the 1958 San Francisco Giants, hitting .317 and slugging .534, but he had to compete for playing time in the late 1950s with other youngsters such as Orlando Cepeda, Willie McCovey and Felipe Alou.

Prior to playing in the majors, he played on the All-Army Champion Team with J.C. Hartman, Willie Kirkland and music star Charley Pride.

He had three good years with the Angels, reaching a peak of 37 home runs in 1962. He was an All-Star in 1962 and 1963. From 1964 to part of 1968 he was with the Cleveland Indians, hitting 31 home runs in 1964.

In the 1970s he appeared in a couple of movies - A Woman Under the Influence by director John Cassavetes, and The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars.

After baseball he owned a clothing store, but he eventually ended up homeless. He built a shed to live in, and died there in 2004.

Notable Achievements

• AL All-Star (1962 & 1963)
• 1962 All-Star Game MVP
• 20-Home Runs Seasons: 6 (1961-1966)
• 30-Home Runs Seasons: 2 (1962 & 1964)
• 100 RBI Seasons: 2 (1962 & 1964)

Related Sites

• Leon Wagner at the SABR Bio Project
• Article on Leon Wagner in The Hardball Times