Walter Bucky Biography

1068 Words3 Pages

(1)Born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, on September 8, 1907. (2)”The Leonard family had a baby boy, Walter, to add to their bunch. Walter’s parents John and Emma Leonard had six children together. Three girls Fanny, Willa, and Lena: and three boys Herman, Charlie, and Walter.” Walter’s family was a very religious family, who usually always went to church. Even after walter’s retirement he went to church every Sunday. (3) The origin of Walter’s nickname “Buck” came from his younger brother Charlie.(4) Walter’s parents originally nicknamed him Buddy, but Charlie had trouble pronouncing Buddy and called him Bucky instead. In Buck’s young adult life he couldn't continue his education past the 8th grade, because there was no local High School for Negroes. Along with his father dying from virulent influenza, his mother couldn't pay to send Buck out to any Negro Schools. Therefore at a young age Buck had to take up job opportunities. For the next two years of Buck’s young adult life he had to shine …show more content…

(7) In Monte Irvin’s words he said “Buck Leonard is the equal to any first basemen who ever lived, if he had gotten a chance to play in the Major Leagues, the might have called Lou Gehrig the white Buck Leonard”. If you don't understand this quote, you must know that Buck was called the black Lou Gehrig by many people. Unfortunately he never did play in the Major leagues, but had a very successful career in the Negro league and Mexican League. Buck’s influence on the world will not be unrecognized. Through all of his great seasons with the Greys, (8) he will be known and he was really a key factor in their dynasty through the 1930’s to the 1940’s. Buck spent his entire 17-year career with the Homestead Grays, which is the longest service for a player with one team in the Negro League history.(9) The Negro star pitcher Dave Barnhill said ” You couldn't put a fastball in a shotgun and get it by

Open Document