Leo Dixon
Encyclopedia
Leo Moses Dixon was a professional baseball
player whose career spanned ten season, including four in Major League Baseball
. Over his major league career, he played with the St. Louis Browns (1925–27) and the Cincinnati Reds
(1929).
In 427 major league at bat
s, Dixon batted
.206 with 40 runs
, 88 hits
, 19 doubles
, three triples
, one home run
and 41 runs batted in (RBIs). In all of his 157 career major league games, Dixon played the catcher
position. Dixon also played in the minor leagues
. He began his career with the Double-A Indianapolis Indians
in 1921 and played with them until 1923. Dixon went on to play for the Double-A St. Paul Saints
(1924), the Double-A Baltimore Orioles
(1928) and the Double-A Columbus Senators
in the minors. Over his minor league career, Dixon batted .245 with 427 hits, 72 doubles, 21 triples and 14 home runs in 572 games.
in 1921, at the age of 26. With the Indians that season, Dixon batted
.202 with 76 hits
, 12 doubles
and five triples
in 117 games. Dixon continued playing with the Indians until 1923. In 1922, Dixon batted .213 with 20 hits, two doubles and one triple in 31 games. In his final season with the Indians, 1923, Dixon batted .238 with 56 hits, eight doubles, one triple and one home run
in 73 games. Dixon joined the Double-A St. Paul Saints
in 1924. With the Saints, Dixon batted .272 with 123 hits, 27 doubles, seven triples and ten home runs in 149 games.
, Dixon was traded by the St. Paul Saints to the St. Louis Browns Major League Baseball
franchise in exchange for Norm McMillan
, Pat Collins
, Ray Kolp
and $
35,000 ($ in today's standards). Dixon did not sign a contract with the Browns before spring training
and as a consequence, news papers dubbed him a "holdout". On March 13, it was announced that Dixon "wired
for transportation", meaning that he was reporting to spring training with the Browns. In his first season in the majors, Dixon batted .224 with 27 runs, 46 hits, 11 doubles, one triple, one home run and 19 RBIs in 76 games. During 1926 spring training, The Evening Independent
noted that Dixon was regarded as "one of the smartest receivers in the American League
". Before the beginning of the 1926
season, Dixon was cited along with future Hall of Fame member, Mickey Cochrane
, as one of the best young catchers in major league baseball. On the 1926 season, Dixon batted .191 with seven runs, 17 hits, three doubles, one triple and eight RBIs in 33 games. Dixon spent his last season with the Browns in 1926
. On the season, Dixon batted .194 with six runs, 20 hits, three doubles, one triple and 12 RBIs in 36 games.
in 1928. With the Orioles, Dixon batted .268 with 79 hits, 12 doubles, three triples and three home runs in 102 games. During the 1928 Rule 5 Draft
, the Cincinnati Reds
selected Dixon from the Orioles. On March 25, 1929, Reds' manager
Jack Hendricks
announced that he intended to keep Dixon on the 25-man roster going into the season. Hendricks was the manager in Indianapolis when Dixon played there as well. On the season, Dixon batted .167 with five hits, two doubles and two RBIs. Dixon was acquired by the Double-A Columbus Senators
from the Reds in 1930. With the Senators that season, Dixon batted .251 with 73 hits, 11 doubles and four triples in 100 games. In 1931, Dixon attended spring training with the St. Louis Cardinals
, but did not make the final roster. Dixon was signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates
in May 1932, however, he did not make an appearance.
during the off-season.
.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player whose career spanned ten season, including four in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. Over his major league career, he played with the St. Louis Browns (1925–27) and the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(1929).
In 427 major league at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s, Dixon batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.206 with 40 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, 88 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, 19 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, three triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, one home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
and 41 runs batted in (RBIs). In all of his 157 career major league games, Dixon played the catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
position. Dixon also played in the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
. He began his career with the Double-A Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
in 1921 and played with them until 1923. Dixon went on to play for the Double-A St. Paul Saints
St. Paul Saints
The St. Paul Saints are a professional baseball team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in the United States. The Saints are a member of the North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
(1924), the Double-A Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles (minor league)
The city of Baltimore, Maryland has been home to two minor league baseball teams called the Baltimore Orioles.-Name history:"Orioles" is a traditional name for baseball clubs in Baltimore . It was used by major league teams from 1882 through 1899 in the American Association/National League and by...
(1928) and the Double-A Columbus Senators
Columbus Senators
The Columbus Senators Minor league baseball team was born in as a founding member of the Tri-State League. After that, the Senators played in the Western League , Interstate League Western Association and American Association...
in the minors. Over his minor league career, Dixon batted .245 with 427 hits, 72 doubles, 21 triples and 14 home runs in 572 games.
Early career
Dixon began his professional career with the Double-A Indianapolis IndiansIndianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
in 1921, at the age of 26. With the Indians that season, Dixon batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.202 with 76 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, 12 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
and five triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
in 117 games. Dixon continued playing with the Indians until 1923. In 1922, Dixon batted .213 with 20 hits, two doubles and one triple in 31 games. In his final season with the Indians, 1923, Dixon batted .238 with 56 hits, eight doubles, one triple and one home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
in 73 games. Dixon joined the Double-A St. Paul Saints
St. Paul Saints
The St. Paul Saints are a professional baseball team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in the United States. The Saints are a member of the North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
in 1924. With the Saints, Dixon batted .272 with 123 hits, 27 doubles, seven triples and ten home runs in 149 games.
St. Louis Browns
On January 4, 19251925 St. Louis Browns season
The 1925 St. Louis Browns season involved the Browns finishing 3rd in the American League with a record of 82 wins and 71 losses.- Regular season :...
, Dixon was traded by the St. Paul Saints to the St. Louis Browns Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
franchise in exchange for Norm McMillan
Norm McMillan
Norman Alexis McMillan , was a Major League Baseball third baseman. He played all or part of five seasons in the majors, between and , for the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Browns, and Chicago Cubs.-External links:...
, Pat Collins
Pat Collins
Tharon Leslie "Pat" Collins is a former professional baseball player in Major League Baseball. He played for the St. Louis Browns, New York Yankees, and Boston Braves. In his career, he hit 33 home runs and drove in 168 runs.-External links:* at Find a Grave...
, Ray Kolp
Ray Kolp
Raymond Carl Kolp , was a professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1921-1934. He would play for the St. Louis Browns and Cincinnati Reds....
and $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
35,000 ($ in today's standards). Dixon did not sign a contract with the Browns before spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
and as a consequence, news papers dubbed him a "holdout". On March 13, it was announced that Dixon "wired
Telegraphy
Telegraphy is the long-distance transmission of messages via some form of signalling technology. Telegraphy requires messages to be converted to a code which is known to both sender and receiver...
for transportation", meaning that he was reporting to spring training with the Browns. In his first season in the majors, Dixon batted .224 with 27 runs, 46 hits, 11 doubles, one triple, one home run and 19 RBIs in 76 games. During 1926 spring training, The Evening Independent
The Evening Independent
The Evening Independent was St. Petersburg, Florida's first daily newspaper. The sister evening newspaper of the St. Petersburg Times, it was launched as a weekly newspaper in March 1906 under the ownership of Willis B. Powell. In November 1907, it became a daily paper as the St...
noted that Dixon was regarded as "one of the smartest receivers in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
". Before the beginning of the 1926
1926 St. Louis Browns season
The 1926 St. Louis Browns season involved the Browns finishing 7th in the American League with a record of 62 wins and 92 losses.- Regular season :* April 26, 1926, football star Ernie Nevers made his major league baseball debut in a game with the Browns....
season, Dixon was cited along with future Hall of Fame member, Mickey Cochrane
Mickey Cochrane
Gordon Stanley "Mickey" Cochrane was a professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers...
, as one of the best young catchers in major league baseball. On the 1926 season, Dixon batted .191 with seven runs, 17 hits, three doubles, one triple and eight RBIs in 33 games. Dixon spent his last season with the Browns in 1926
1926 St. Louis Browns season
The 1926 St. Louis Browns season involved the Browns finishing 7th in the American League with a record of 62 wins and 92 losses.- Regular season :* April 26, 1926, football star Ernie Nevers made his major league baseball debut in a game with the Browns....
. On the season, Dixon batted .194 with six runs, 20 hits, three doubles, one triple and 12 RBIs in 36 games.
Later career
Dixon wound up with the Double-A Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles (minor league)
The city of Baltimore, Maryland has been home to two minor league baseball teams called the Baltimore Orioles.-Name history:"Orioles" is a traditional name for baseball clubs in Baltimore . It was used by major league teams from 1882 through 1899 in the American Association/National League and by...
in 1928. With the Orioles, Dixon batted .268 with 79 hits, 12 doubles, three triples and three home runs in 102 games. During the 1928 Rule 5 Draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
, the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
selected Dixon from the Orioles. On March 25, 1929, Reds' manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
Jack Hendricks
Jack Hendricks
John Charles Hendricks was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played parts of two seasons in Major League Baseball as an outfielder, but is best known as the manager of the Cincinnati Reds from 1924 to 1929....
announced that he intended to keep Dixon on the 25-man roster going into the season. Hendricks was the manager in Indianapolis when Dixon played there as well. On the season, Dixon batted .167 with five hits, two doubles and two RBIs. Dixon was acquired by the Double-A Columbus Senators
Columbus Senators
The Columbus Senators Minor league baseball team was born in as a founding member of the Tri-State League. After that, the Senators played in the Western League , Interstate League Western Association and American Association...
from the Reds in 1930. With the Senators that season, Dixon batted .251 with 73 hits, 11 doubles and four triples in 100 games. In 1931, Dixon attended spring training with the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, but did not make the final roster. Dixon was signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
in May 1932, however, he did not make an appearance.
Other activities
Dixon worked as a clerk in his father's hardware storeHardware store
Hardware stores, sometimes known as DIY stores, sell household hardware including: fasteners, hand tools, power tools, keys, locks, hinges, chains, plumbing supplies, electrical supplies, cleaning products, housewares, tools, utensils, paint, and lawn and garden products directly to consumers for...
during the off-season.
Personal
Dixon was born on September 4, 1894 in Chicago, Illinois. He died on April 11, 1984 at the age of 89 in Chicago, Illinois. Dixon was buried at Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery in Worth, IllinoisWorth, Illinois
Worth is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States, a suburb of Chicago. The population was 10,789 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Worth is located at ....
.