Dutch Leonard
| Birthdate | 3/25/1909 |
| Death Date | 4/17/1983 |
| Debut Year | 1933 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Cubs, Dodgers, Phillies, Senators |
| Positions | Pitcher, Pitching Coach |
Five-time All Star knuckleballer Dutch Leonard won 191 games & was the winning pitcher vs. the Yankees on July 4, 1939 – Lou Gehrig Day.
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On May 13th, 1938 Dutch Leonard pitched a 13-inning shutout to beat Bob Feller 1-0
On May 13th, 1938 Dutch Leonard pitched a 13-inning shutout to beat Bob Feller 1-0
Emil “Dutch” Leonard pitched in 24 professional seasons, 20 at the big league level. During that time he made five All Star teams, won 191 MLB games and 53 more in the minors.
He broke into the Show in 1933 with the Dodgers. After going 18-23 in four years with Brooklyn, Leonard moved to the American League with the Senators in 1938. There he hit his stride.
In his first start on the Junior circuit Leonard twirled a 1-0 complete-game shutout against Connie Mack’s Philadelphia Athletics. Two weeks later he faced Bob Feller and the Cleveland Indians.
Leonard and Feller squared off in a brilliant pitchers’ duel. Rapid Robert twirled 9 scoreless innings; Leonard matched him every step of the way. Though Feller got relieved in the 10th, Leonard continued.
Dutch pitched through the 13th. In the bottom of the inning his Senators pushed a run across to make him the winner of the 1-0 classic.
In September of the same season, Leonard gave up Lou Gehrig’s 493rd and final career home run. A year later when Gehrig delivered his famous “luckiest man on the face of the earth” speech, Leonard earned a complete-game victory over New York before a crowed a 61,808 fans at Yankee Stadium.
In 1943 Leonard was named the AL’s staring pitcher in the All Star Game at Philadelphia’s Shibe Park. There allowed a pair of singles to the game’s first two batters, Stan Hack and Billy Herman. Though Hack eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Stan Musial, Leonard did not surrender another base hit.
Hall of Fame second baseman Bobby Doerr hit a three-run homer in the second to give Leonard’s AL squad a lead the never relinquished. The 3-inning performance earned Leonard the victory. For good measure the pitcher produced a second-inning single in his only plate appearance in All Star play.
By the time he retired in 1951 at age 44, Leonard earned 244 wins in professional baseball. His big league statistics include a 191-188 record and a 3.25 ERA.
In the collection is this questionnaire filled out entirely in Leonard’s hand and signed by him at the bottom. The content is well worth reading.
Only Walter Johnson won more games for the original Washington Senators
Only Walter Johnson won more games for the original Washington Senators
One of Cooperstown’s five original selections, Walter Johnson won an astounding 417 games. He stands as the career leader in wins, ERA, and strikeouts for the original Washington Senators.
Number two on the Senators victory list is Dutch Leonard. With 25.1 of his career 48.9 WAR coming in Washington, Leonard stands 4th on Washington’s list. When it comes to strikeouts, Dutch remains 10th on the Washington list.
Leonard’s 20-year career saw suited up for 4 different teams. His longest stay was his 9-year tenure in the nation’s capital. When speaking of the most impactful Senators hurlers, the conversation must include Dutch Leonard.
Shown here is The Big Train’s handwritten letter to Hall of Fame executive Ford Frick thanking him for a lifetime pass.
