Buck Leonard teamed with Josh Gibson to push the Homestead Grays to nine straight Negro League pennants. Leonard played in a league record 11 East-West All Star games and spent his entire 17-year career with the Grays, the longest term of service for a player with one team in Negro League history.

Shown here is a handwritten letter from Leonard who did not gain his high school diploma until age 52 because his hometown did not have a high school that allowed African-Americans to attend. In the letter Leonard writes that he played professional baseball for 23 years then became a juvenile probation officer for twelve more before retiring in 1970.

When asked to give draw on his playing career to give advice about getting into baseball Leonard writes, “A lot has changed since that time and youngsters of this day say my advise (sic) is ‘old timely’. So I let it go at that.” Leonard then pens scrawls his name across the bottom of the letter.

Walter “Buck” Leonard was a standout first baseman for the Homestead Grays during their run of dominance from 1937-1945 when they won nine straight Negro League pennants.

Shown here is a 3×5 card signed by Leonard in which he writes about teammate Jonas Gaines. Gaines pitched in the East West All Star games in 1942, 1946, and 1950 without allowing an earned run or surrendering a base on balls.

Leonard writes, “Yes, Jonas was a good pitcher for the Baltimore Elite Giants in our league. He also was a good friend of mind (sic) and well like (sic) all around the league. Give my regards to him.”