Hear from Larry Lester Treasure and historian of the Negro League Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, and for historic the historical and researchers view of black baseball in America. We especially look forward to your calls that our and of course, Leon Day and Todd Bolton are invited to stay with us. Through the entire program, But I don't think we're going to make it through the entire show. It depends on how much energy we got. Right guys. We apologize friends for the lengthy introduction tonight, but realizing how few of you listeners were aware of the Negro baseball leagues, much less the Star player who resides to this day right here in Baltimore, we decided to fill you in before we get down to business. Leon Day was born in Alexandria, Virginia. On October 30th 1916 versatile player, Leon played both second base and the outfield in this 22 year career. He was a switch hitter who was consistently around the 300 mark. One time day was locked in a 00 pitching battle with his old rival, central page. He on several matters by home Marine off such in the ninth inning, the score the game's only run and pocket the victory. As a matter of fact, they won three out of four starts against Page and his seven East West All Star Game appearances stand as a record for the Negro Meeks. Leon played professional baseball for 22 years, summer and winter and half a dozen countries. He appeared in a record seven Negro League All Star games between 1935 and 1946 and set an all Star record by striking out a total of 14 batters. His best season was in 1937. When in league play, he finished the 61 game season going 13 to 0 with a 00.3 20 average. You know, I was telling Leon I made this terrible mistake when I was making a comment on his wonderful Leon Day Day, and I said his batting average. I abbreviated three. Oh, and I really did mean 300. I said, I was so terribly embarrassed. I got it right tonight at 3 20 average during winter ball in 1939 to 1940. Leon Day established a new Puerto Rican league record for strikeouts in a single game with 19. He also led the league that winner with 168 strikeouts in 1942. Leon Day established a Negro League record. By striking out 18 Baltimore He like Giants in a single game later that year, 1942 during the All Star game, he and Satchel Paige each entered the game against each other in the seventh inning. With the score tied 2 to 2 Leon face seven batters struck five of them out the last four in succession to end the game and beat page 5 to 1942 Leon was named to the Pittsburgh carriers All start. Boy, We got a lot of stuff when you telling Yeah American team for the Negro Leagues, Day and page were rated the two best pictures that they being rated over page. The paper said. Quote Leon Day is the best picture in Negro baseball, despite the fact that he was used daily, either as a pitcher, outfielder or infielder 1943 the day of the year I was born he was named by the Pittsburgh Courier is the outstanding mounds, men and Negro Baseball 1946. After 2.5 years in the Army, Listen to this guys. Leon came back and pitched an opening day no hitter against the Philadelphia Stars. He went nine and for that year with a means the 4 69 batting average, topping the league that season wins, strikeouts, innings pitched and complete games and in 1951 at the age of 35 with Toronto and the Triple A International League. Leon finished the season with at one point 58 earned run average. Leon Day spent the latter part of his career pitching as you call it, Triple A. Can. I call it that Triple A sounds? Well, I know that is triple a baseball for Winnipeg and Brandon in the Canadian League and finally retired at the age of 41 in 1956 Day, began his playing career with the Baltimore black socks in 1934. The same year they moved to Chester, Pennsylvania. He returned in 1949 to play for the champion Baltimore Relight Giants. Most of us playing years, however, war spent with the Newark Eagles Monte Irvin says quote day was as good as or better than Bob Gibson. Larry Doby notes that quote he didn't see anybody in the major leagues. That was better. Well. Welcome. The 21st century radios harangue him Ascend company where knowledge comes first Future Hall of Famer Leon Day. That was a fine time You've been having the last couple days, Leon and we understand it's far from over because Governor William Donald Schaefer Has something special planned for you in the weeks ahead, Leon. In your opinion, what was the difference between black and white professional ball? Well, the difference was the playing field and the money. Mhm. Yeah, that was different. You.