Danville Leafs
Encyclopedia
The Danville Leafs were a professional minor league baseball team that played in the city of Danville, Virginia
.
Professional baseball first made its appearance in Danville in 1905 when the town fielded a team, the Tobacconists, in the short-lived Virginia-North Carolina League. Several other professional teams came and went in the town and it wasn't until 1925 that the name "Leafs" was first used. The name refers to the famous tobacco leaf markets of the town. The Leafs, who played in the Piedmont League
, relocated during the 1926 season, again leaving Danville without professional baseball.
A new Leafs team was formed in 1934 as a member of the Class D Bi-State League
. The team remained a part of that league, which included teams from towns along both sides of the North Carolina-Virginia border, for five seasons. The Leafs won pennants in 1934 and '35.
In 1945, another incarnation of the Danville Leafs took the field as members of the newly formed Carolina League
. They were a member of the New York Giants (San Francisco Giants
) farm system. The team existed through the 1958 season. In 1945, Danville pitcher
Art Fowler
led the league with 23 wins
. He went on to have a long major league career as both a player and coach
. In 1953, Leafs' pitcher Ramon Monzant
(23-6, 232 strikeouts) won the Carolina League MVP award. He went on to spend a few seasons with the Giants. Willie McCovey
played first base for the 1956 Danville Leafs. He hit .310 with 29 home runs and 89 RBIs. One of his teammates that season, outfielder Leon Wagner
(.330, 51 home runs, 166 RBIs), also had an outstanding big league career.
The team was the first in the Carolina League to become racially integrated when Percy Miller Jr.
joined the team in 1951.
Professional baseball returned to Danville in 1993 when the Pulaski Braves of the rookie level Appalachian League
relocated to Danville as the Danville Braves
. A farm team of the Atlanta Braves
, the team has been the starting point for many players who have gone on to the major leagues.
Danville, Virginia
Danville is an independent city in Virginia, United States, bounded by Pittsylvania County, Virginia and Caswell County, North Carolina. It was the last capital of the Confederate States of America. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Danville with Pittsylvania county for...
.
Professional baseball first made its appearance in Danville in 1905 when the town fielded a team, the Tobacconists, in the short-lived Virginia-North Carolina League. Several other professional teams came and went in the town and it wasn't until 1925 that the name "Leafs" was first used. The name refers to the famous tobacco leaf markets of the town. The Leafs, who played in the Piedmont League
Piedmont League
The Piedmont League was a minor league baseball league that operated from 1920 through 1955. The league operated principally in the Piedmont plateau region in the eastern United States.- Former :...
, relocated during the 1926 season, again leaving Danville without professional baseball.
A new Leafs team was formed in 1934 as a member of the Class D Bi-State League
Bi-State League
There were two different entries called the Bi-State League in minor league history. The first, a class D league which operated in 1915, was the successor of the Wisconsin-Illinois League. The 1915 league was represented by five teams fom Illinois and one from Wisconsin...
. The team remained a part of that league, which included teams from towns along both sides of the North Carolina-Virginia border, for five seasons. The Leafs won pennants in 1934 and '35.
In 1945, another incarnation of the Danville Leafs took the field as members of the newly formed Carolina League
Carolina League
The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic Coast of the United States. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
. They were a member of the New York Giants (San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
) farm system. The team existed through the 1958 season. In 1945, Danville pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Art Fowler
Art Fowler
John Arthur Fowler was an American pitcher and pitching coach in Major League Baseball. The 5'11", 180 lb. right-hander was signed by the New York Giants as an amateur free agent before the 1944 season...
led the league with 23 wins
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
. He went on to have a long major league career as both a player and coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
. In 1953, Leafs' pitcher Ramon Monzant
Ramón Monzant
Ramón Segundo Monzant Espina was a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York and San Francisco Giants ....
(23-6, 232 strikeouts) won the Carolina League MVP award. He went on to spend a few seasons with the Giants. Willie McCovey
Willie McCovey
Willie Lee McCovey , nicknamed "Mac", "Big Mac", and "Stretch", is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He played nineteen seasons for the San Francisco Giants, and three more for the San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics, between and...
played first base for the 1956 Danville Leafs. He hit .310 with 29 home runs and 89 RBIs. One of his teammates that season, outfielder Leon Wagner
Leon Wagner
Leon Lamar Wagner was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball who played with the San Francisco Giants , St. Louis Cardinals , Los Angeles Angels , Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
(.330, 51 home runs, 166 RBIs), also had an outstanding big league career.
The team was the first in the Carolina League to become racially integrated when Percy Miller Jr.
Percy Miller Jr.
Percy Miller, Jr. is a former minor league baseball player who broke the color barrier in the Carolina League. The son of Negro league pitcher Percy Miller, he made his debut for the Danville Leafs in August 1951, and played in 19 games that season. Bill White, who would be the second black player...
joined the team in 1951.
Professional baseball returned to Danville in 1993 when the Pulaski Braves of the rookie level Appalachian League
Appalachian League
The Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956. From 1937 to 1962, it was a Class D League. Teams are located in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee...
relocated to Danville as the Danville Braves
Danville Braves
The Danville Braves are a minor league baseball team in Danville, Virginia, USA. They are an Advanced Rookie-level team in the Appalachian League and have been a farm team of the Atlanta Braves since 1993. The Braves play home games at American Legion Post 325 Field...
. A farm team of the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, the team has been the starting point for many players who have gone on to the major leagues.