Les Fleming

Leslie Harvey Fleming (Mae)

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 5' 10", Weight 185 lb.
• School St. Mary's University
• Debut April 22, 1939
• Final Game June 9, 1949
• Born August 7, 1915 in Singleton, TX USA
• Died March 5, 1980 in Cleveland, TX USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Les Fleming, who played seven seasons in the majors, had some good years but probably lost the best part of his career to World War II.

Fleming came up originally with the Detroit Tigers in 1939 but didn't get playing time until he was a regular first baseman with the 1942 Cleveland Indians. Partly because he drew 106 walks, his 144 Adjusted OPS+ was one of the best in the league.

Fleming then missed 1943-44, when he was 27-28 years old. When he came back for a partial season in 1945, he hit .329, and in 99 games in 1946 he posted an Adjusted OPS+ of 137, still quite good. It would have been eighth in the league if he had had enough plate appearances.

The Cleveland Indians Encyclopedia says that Fleming in 1945 returned from a shipyard job.

His minor league career went from 1935-56. Most notably, he hit .414 for Nashville in 1941, still the Southern Association record.

He also managed in the Texas League in 1954.

He died at age 64 as the result of a tractor accident.

• 1948 MVP American Association Indianapolis Indians