Leon Boyd
Encyclopedia
Leon Boyd is a Canadian
-born Dutch
baseball
player currently playing for DOOR Neptunus in the Honkbal Hoofdklasse
. He is most often recognized for his accomplishments for the Dutch national team
at the 2009 World Baseball Classic
.
career playing for the Treasure Valley Community College
in Ontario, Oregon
during the season. He played only one season for the Chukars before transferring to Seminole State Community College in Oklahoma
for the season. He would transfer again in , this time to play for the Armstrong Atlantic State University
Pirates. He played two seasons for the Pirates in 2004 and where he was used exclusively as a relief pitcher. Over these two seasons, he appeared in 34 games and compiled a 3.44 ERA
with 104 strikeouts in 115 innings pitched
.
where he had an extremely successful season. Not only did he accumulate an 11-1 win-loss record with a 0.84 ERA and 156 strikeouts in just 96 innings pitched, but he also hit .421 with 2 home runs in 38 at bats for the Pioneers, who finished the season as the national runner up.
Following his strong season in Belgium, Boyd was picked up by the Dutch national team to play in the 2006 Intercontinental Cup in Taichung
, Taiwan
. Despite his 0-2 record, Boyd had a 2.63 ERA and led the Nethalnds in innings pitched. Against Cuba
, he took the loss in a 3-2 defeat where he allowed four hits and one run in 1 2/3 IP of relief after replacing Rob Cordemans
. Three days later, he allowed just one run in six innings against Japan
but again lost as the Dutch were shut out. His final appearance of the tournament came against Australia
, where he struck out 7 and allowed one run in six innings in a no-decision as the Netherlands won 4-3.
regular season when he posted a 9-0 record with no home runs allowed in over 66 innings. His statistical totals in wins (9, tied with tied Vaughan Harris and Diego Markwell
for second-most), ERA (1.22, behind only relievers Duko Jansen and Chris Ryan
) and strikeouts (61, tied with former major leaguer
Eddie Oropesa
for sixth overall) were among the league leaders. He was a finalist for the Pitcher of the Year Award, but lost out to David Bergman
in part due to missing a month of the season with a back muscle strain. Despite his initial success, Boyd suffered two losses during the first round of the playoffs as Neptunus was upset by the Pioniers
.
In the 2007 World Port Tournament
, Boyd earned the World Port Tournament Best Pitcher award, allowing only five hits in 15 IP and won twice, including a masterful complete game shutout of the Chinese Taipei National team facing only 28 batters. He was 2-0 with a 0.93 ERA in the 2007 European Baseball Championship
, helping the Netherlands win Gold. He was with the team for the 2007 Baseball World Cup
, going 1-1 with a 2.55 ERA and a team-high 14 strikeouts for the 4th-place squad. He had a solid game but received a no-decision against the Australian national team when closer Michiel van Kampen
couldn't hold a 3-2 lead in the 9th. He had another fine appearance allowing one run in six innings in a crucial win over the South Korean national team and matched Tadashi Settsu
(the eventual pitcher of the tournament) with five scoreless frames in the Bronze Medal game before allowing 2 runs in the 6th, and being shutout 5-0 by the Japanese.
. He allowed two runs, one unearned, thanks to 3 walks, 2 hit batsmen and 3 errors by his team. Shortly thereafter, Boyd had a 4.50 ERA in the 2008 European Baseball Cup in Regensburg
. He was knocked out early in a win against the host Buchbinder Legionäre and did not get a decision in the Cup.
Head coach Robert Eenhoorn
selected Boyd to pitch for the Netherlands at the 2008 Summer Olympics
in Beijing
. In their second game of the tournament against the United States
, Boyd entered the game during the 8th inning with the bases loaded and one out after Dave Draijer
was struck by a batted ball on the right forearm. He induced two groundouts, resulting in only a single run for the United States. He returned to pitch the top of the 9th inning, and after yielding a leadoff single to Terry Tiffee
, Boyd retired the next three batters, including Matt LaPorta by strikeout. However, a two-hour rain delay forced the game to be called during the Dutch half of the 9th inning. As a result Boyd's statistics during the 9th inning are unofficial, as the score reverted to the last completed inning.
Boyd made his second appearance of the tournament on August 16, 2008 when he was the starting pitcher against China
. He struck out six batters in six innings, yielding only six hits and two runs in the process. The win was the only victory the Dutch earned all tournament.
. Although he has primarily been a starter
throughout his career, Boyd was asked by head coach Rod Delmonico
to serve as the closer
for the Netherlands. During the first round of the tournament held at Hiram Bithorn Stadium
in San Juan
, Puerto Rico
, Boyd entered three separate games during tense, late-inning pressure situations, including two of which he ended up as the pitcher of record.
In the Netherlands' first game of the tournament on March 7, 2009 against the heavily-favored Dominican Republic
, Boyd pitched the 9th inning and earned the save with a game-ending strikeout of Jose Bautista. Two days later, he entered a game against Puerto Rico
with the bases loaded and only one out in the 8th inning, only to give up a two-run double to Yadier Molina
and an RBI-single to Jesus Feliciano
. The very next day, Boyd rebounded yo earn the win in a 2-1 extra-innings Dutch victory that eliminated the Dominicans from the tournament.
Although the Dutch advanced to play in Round 2 of the tournament at Dolphin Stadium
in Miami, Florida
, Boyd would not make his fourth appearance of the tournament until the 6th inning of an elimination game against the United States
. Despite giving up a home run to Adam Dunn
, Boyd struck out both David Wright and Ryan Braun
in his one inning of relief.
to a minor-league
contract
. Although he was temporarily reassigned to the Dunedin Blue Jays
of the Florida State League
for an 8-game appearance early in the year, Boyd played the bulk of the 2009 season as a member of the Jays AA-affiliate, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats
. He finished the year with a 1-6 win-loss record, a 4.76 ERA, 51 strikeouts and 6 saves in over 64 innings for the two clubs.
to the Philadelphia Phillies
in December 2009.
in South Surrey
, British Columbia
. Although he was born in Canada, Leon received his Dutch passport in December, 2005, as a result of his mother being born and raised in the Netherlands
. Boyd's father, Sean, played ice hockey in the Netherlands from 1971–1974 and met Leon's mother, Wilma, there. Boyd married American softball
player Jeana Short on March 8, 2008. He has an older sister, Nadine.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
-born Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player currently playing for DOOR Neptunus in the Honkbal Hoofdklasse
Honkbal Hoofdklasse
The Honkbal Hoofdklasse is the highest level of professional baseball in the Netherlands. It is an eight-team league that plays a 42-game schedule and is overseen by the Royal Netherlands Baseball and Softball Federation . Games are played principally on weekends...
. He is most often recognized for his accomplishments for the Dutch national team
Netherlands national baseball team
The Netherlands national baseball team is the national baseball team of the Netherlands. They are currently the top team in Europe and currently the sixth ranked men's baseball team in the IBAF World Rankings....
at the 2009 World Baseball Classic
2009 World Baseball Classic
The 2009 World Baseball Classic was an international baseball competition. It is the only international baseball tournament to feature a large number of players from the major leagues of North America and Asia. It began on March 5, 2009, and finished March 23, 2009.Japan emerged victorious for the...
.
B.C. Premier Baseball League
Boyd was a starting pitcher for the White Rock Tritons of the British Columbia Premier Baseball League for three seasons.College career
Boyd began his college baseballCollege baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. Compared to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a less significant contribution to cultivating professional players, as the minor leagues primarily...
career playing for the Treasure Valley Community College
Treasure Valley Community College
Treasure Valley Community College is a community college located in Ontario, Oregon, at the western edge of the Treasure Valley. It is located near the Four Rivers Cultural Center, which houses the Meyer-McLean theater used by the college to present plays and other purposes.It currently serves...
in Ontario, Oregon
Ontario, Oregon
Ontario is the largest city in Malheur County, Oregon, United States. It lies along the Snake River at the Idaho border. The population was 10,985 at the 2000 census, with an estimated population of 11,245 in 2006...
during the season. He played only one season for the Chukars before transferring to Seminole State Community College in Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
for the season. He would transfer again in , this time to play for the Armstrong Atlantic State University
Armstrong Atlantic State University
Armstrong Atlantic State University, also referred to as Armstrong Atlantic, Armstrong, or simply AASU, is a four-year public university part of the University System of Georgia. It is located on a campus in suburban Savannah, Georgia, United States...
Pirates. He played two seasons for the Pirates in 2004 and where he was used exclusively as a relief pitcher. Over these two seasons, he appeared in 34 games and compiled a 3.44 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
with 104 strikeouts in 115 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
.
2006: Hoboken Pioneers
Despite his Dutch family ties and a strong desire to play baseball in the Netherlands, Boyd was not pursued by any Hoofdklasse clubs, even after numerous attempts to contact them after his college career was over. Instead, he went on to play for the Hoboken Pioneers in BelgiumBelgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
where he had an extremely successful season. Not only did he accumulate an 11-1 win-loss record with a 0.84 ERA and 156 strikeouts in just 96 innings pitched, but he also hit .421 with 2 home runs in 38 at bats for the Pioneers, who finished the season as the national runner up.
Following his strong season in Belgium, Boyd was picked up by the Dutch national team to play in the 2006 Intercontinental Cup in Taichung
Taichung
-Demographics:Taichung’s population was an estimated 1,040,725 in August 2006. There are slightly more females in the city than males.24.32% of residents are children, while 16.63% are young people, 52.68% are middle-age, and 6.73% are elderly....
, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
. Despite his 0-2 record, Boyd had a 2.63 ERA and led the Nethalnds in innings pitched. Against Cuba
Cuba national baseball team
The Cuba national baseball team is the national team of Cuba. The team is made up of amateur players from the Cuban national baseball system, as there are no professional sports leagues in Cuba...
, he took the loss in a 3-2 defeat where he allowed four hits and one run in 1 2/3 IP of relief after replacing Rob Cordemans
Rob Cordemans
Rob "Robbie" Cordemans is a Dutch baseball player. He bats and throws righthanded. Cordemans is best known for representing the Dutch national team at the Olympics and other international competitions.- Olympics :Cordemans has been a fixture on Dutch baseball teams in international competitions...
. Three days later, he allowed just one run in six innings against Japan
Japan national baseball team
The Japan national baseball team is the national baseball team representing Japan in international competitions. They are one of the more successful baseball teams in the world, having won the World Baseball Classic in 2006 and 2009...
but again lost as the Dutch were shut out. His final appearance of the tournament came against Australia
Australia national baseball team
The Australian national baseball team represents Australia in international baseball tournaments and competitions. They are ranked as the top team in Oceania, and are the Oceanian Champions, having been awarded the title in 2007 when New Zealand withdrew from the Oceania Baseball Championship. They...
, where he struck out 7 and allowed one run in six innings in a no-decision as the Netherlands won 4-3.
2007: DOOR Neptunus
After being scouted by and in contract talks with several hoofdklasse teams, Boyd ended up signing with Neptunus. He made an extremely strong debut during the 20072007 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion – [Boston Red Sox]*Postseason – October 2 to October 28Click on any series score to link to that series' page....
regular season when he posted a 9-0 record with no home runs allowed in over 66 innings. His statistical totals in wins (9, tied with tied Vaughan Harris and Diego Markwell
Diego Markwell
Diegomar Raymundo "Diego" Markwell is a Dutch baseball player....
for second-most), ERA (1.22, behind only relievers Duko Jansen and Chris Ryan
Chris Ryan
Sergeant ‘Chris Ryan’ MM is the pseudonym of a former British Special Forces operative and soldier turned novelist...
) and strikeouts (61, tied with former major leaguer
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...
Eddie Oropesa
Eddie Oropesa
Edilberto Oropesa is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for four seasons. He pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2001, the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2002 to 2003, and the San Diego Padres in 2004...
for sixth overall) were among the league leaders. He was a finalist for the Pitcher of the Year Award, but lost out to David Bergman
David Bergman (baseball)
David Franciscus Johan Bergman is a Dutch baseball player who currently plays for Kinheim of the Honkbal Hoofdklasse baseball league....
in part due to missing a month of the season with a back muscle strain. Despite his initial success, Boyd suffered two losses during the first round of the playoffs as Neptunus was upset by the Pioniers
Pioniers
Pioniers is a baseball and softball team based in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands. The club is currently sponsored by Raamsdonkveer-based construction company Vaessen BV and the team is officially known as the Vaessen Pioniers....
.
In the 2007 World Port Tournament
2007 World Port Tournament
The 2007 World Port Tournament was an international baseball competition held at the DOOR Neptunus Familiestadion in Rotterdam, The Netherlands from August 2–12, 2007...
, Boyd earned the World Port Tournament Best Pitcher award, allowing only five hits in 15 IP and won twice, including a masterful complete game shutout of the Chinese Taipei National team facing only 28 batters. He was 2-0 with a 0.93 ERA in the 2007 European Baseball Championship
2007 European Baseball Championship
The 2007 European Baseball Championship was an international baseball tournament held from September 7 to 16, between national baseball teams of the Confederation of European Baseball. The tournament was held in Barcelona, Spain and served as the qualifying competition for the 2008 Summer Olympic...
, helping the Netherlands win Gold. He was with the team for the 2007 Baseball World Cup
2007 Baseball World Cup
The XXXVII International Baseball Federation Baseball World Cup was held in the Republic of China from November 6 through November 18, 2007. Four stadiums hosted...
, going 1-1 with a 2.55 ERA and a team-high 14 strikeouts for the 4th-place squad. He had a solid game but received a no-decision against the Australian national team when closer Michiel van Kampen
Michiel van Kampen
Michiel van Kampen is a Dutch baseball player who currently plays for Kinheim and the Dutch national team. He has been a star relief pitcher in the Hoofdklasse who once set the appearances record and was MVP of the 2007 Holland Series...
couldn't hold a 3-2 lead in the 9th. He had another fine appearance allowing one run in six innings in a crucial win over the South Korean national team and matched Tadashi Settsu
Tadashi Settsu
is a Japanese baseball player. He has been with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks since 2009, and plays as pitcher, wearing number 50. In 2009, he was voted Most Valuable Rookie...
(the eventual pitcher of the tournament) with five scoreless frames in the Bronze Medal game before allowing 2 runs in the 6th, and being shutout 5-0 by the Japanese.
2008: Beijing Olympics
On June 12, 2008, Boyd threw a no-hitter against the Amsterdam PiratesAmsterdam Pirates
Amsterdam Pirates is a baseball and softball team in Amsterdam, Netherlands. It was founded as an expansion of the soccer club S.V. RAP. In the first years it was known as the RAP Pirates, but after a few years the club changed its name according to American tradition and became the Amsterdam...
. He allowed two runs, one unearned, thanks to 3 walks, 2 hit batsmen and 3 errors by his team. Shortly thereafter, Boyd had a 4.50 ERA in the 2008 European Baseball Cup in Regensburg
Regensburg
Regensburg is a city in Bavaria, Germany, located at the confluence of the Danube and Regen rivers, at the northernmost bend in the Danube. To the east lies the Bavarian Forest. Regensburg is the capital of the Bavarian administrative region Upper Palatinate...
. He was knocked out early in a win against the host Buchbinder Legionäre and did not get a decision in the Cup.
Head coach Robert Eenhoorn
Robert Eenhoorn
Robert Franciscus Eenhoorn is a retired Dutch professional baseball player and manager. He played four seasons of Major League Baseball as a utility infielder for the New York Yankees and California/Anaheim Angels.-Major League career:Robert Eenhoorn played four seasons in Major League Baseball as...
selected Boyd to pitch for the Netherlands at the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
. In their second game of the tournament against the United States
USA Baseball
USA Baseball was founded in , and is the governing body for amateur baseball in the United States of America. It is a member of the United States Olympic Committee and organizes the United States national baseball team...
, Boyd entered the game during the 8th inning with the bases loaded and one out after Dave Draijer
Dave Draijer
Dorotheus Wilhelmus "Dave" Draijer is a Dutch baseball player.Draijer represented the Netherlands at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens where he and his team became sixth...
was struck by a batted ball on the right forearm. He induced two groundouts, resulting in only a single run for the United States. He returned to pitch the top of the 9th inning, and after yielding a leadoff single to Terry Tiffee
Terry Tiffee
Terry Ronald Tiffee is an American professional baseball infielder who is currently a free agent.-Career:Tiffee graduated from Sylvan Hills High School in and Pratt Community College in...
, Boyd retired the next three batters, including Matt LaPorta by strikeout. However, a two-hour rain delay forced the game to be called during the Dutch half of the 9th inning. As a result Boyd's statistics during the 9th inning are unofficial, as the score reverted to the last completed inning.
Boyd made his second appearance of the tournament on August 16, 2008 when he was the starting pitcher against China
China national baseball team
The China national baseball team is the national representative team of the People's Republic of China.-Olympic Games:China secured qualification to the 2008 Summer Olympics automatically as host nation, giving the country its first Olympics berth....
. He struck out six batters in six innings, yielding only six hits and two runs in the process. The win was the only victory the Dutch earned all tournament.
World Baseball Classic
Boyd was selected once again to represent the Dutch national team at the 2009 World Baseball Classic2009 World Baseball Classic
The 2009 World Baseball Classic was an international baseball competition. It is the only international baseball tournament to feature a large number of players from the major leagues of North America and Asia. It began on March 5, 2009, and finished March 23, 2009.Japan emerged victorious for the...
. Although he has primarily been a starter
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
throughout his career, Boyd was asked by head coach Rod Delmonico
Rod Delmonico
Rodney James Delmonico is a baseball coach.Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, Delmonico graduated from New Hanover High School in 1976 and Liberty University in 1980 with a bachelors degree in physical education. He lettered in baseball and soccer...
to serve as the closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
for the Netherlands. During the first round of the tournament held at Hiram Bithorn Stadium
Hiram Bithorn Stadium
Hiram Bithorn Stadium is a baseball park in San Juan, Puerto Rico, operated by the municipal government of the city of San Juan. Its name honors the first Puerto Rican to play in the major leagues, Hiram Bithorn, who first played with the Chicago Cubs in 1942...
in San Juan
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, Boyd entered three separate games during tense, late-inning pressure situations, including two of which he ended up as the pitcher of record.
In the Netherlands' first game of the tournament on March 7, 2009 against the heavily-favored Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic national baseball team
The Dominican Republic national baseball team is the national baseball team of the Dominican Republic.-World Baseball Classic Roster:- Dominican Republic:Manager: 17 Felipe Alou...
, Boyd pitched the 9th inning and earned the save with a game-ending strikeout of Jose Bautista. Two days later, he entered a game against Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico national baseball team
The Puerto Rico National Baseball Team is a team that is selected by the Puerto Rican Baseball Federation to compete in major international events in representation of Puerto Rico...
with the bases loaded and only one out in the 8th inning, only to give up a two-run double to Yadier Molina
Yadier Molina
Yadier Benjamin Molina known affectionately by fans as "Yadi", is a Major League Baseball catcher who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.Molina was the third catcher to play in two World Series before age 25, along with Johnny Bench and Yogi Berra. He is considered one of the best defensive...
and an RBI-single to Jesus Feliciano
Jesús Feliciano
Jesús Feliciano is a Puerto Rican professional baseball player. He currently plays for the New York Mets organization...
. The very next day, Boyd rebounded yo earn the win in a 2-1 extra-innings Dutch victory that eliminated the Dominicans from the tournament.
Although the Dutch advanced to play in Round 2 of the tournament at Dolphin Stadium
Dolphin Stadium
Sun Life Stadium is an American football stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, a suburb of Miami. It is the home stadium of the Miami Dolphins National Football League team, and the University of Miami Hurricanes football team. It also hosts the Orange Bowl, an annual college football bowl game. It...
in Miami, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, Boyd would not make his fourth appearance of the tournament until the 6th inning of an elimination game against the United States
United States national baseball team
The United States National Baseball team represents the United States in international baseball competition. The United States has won the previous two Baseball World Cups, having lost this title to the Netherlands in 2011, and is currently second in the IBAF World Rankings, behind Cuba.The team...
. Despite giving up a home run to Adam Dunn
Adam Dunn
Adam Troy Dunn , nicknamed "Big Donkey", is an American Major League Baseball first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Chicago White Sox. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed....
, Boyd struck out both David Wright and Ryan Braun
Ryan Braun
Ryan Joseph Braun is an American right-handed Major League Baseball left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers. A perennial standout, he was ranked No...
in his one inning of relief.
New Hampshire Fisher Cats
Following his strong pitching performance in the tournament, Boyd was signed by the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
to a minor-league
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...
contract
Contract
A contract is an agreement entered into by two parties or more with the intention of creating a legal obligation, which may have elements in writing. Contracts can be made orally. The remedy for breach of contract can be "damages" or compensation of money. In equity, the remedy can be specific...
. Although he was temporarily reassigned to the Dunedin Blue Jays
Dunedin Blue Jays
The Dunedin Blue Jays are a minor league baseball team based in Dunedin, Florida. They play in the Florida State League, and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays Major League Baseball club...
of the Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
for an 8-game appearance early in the year, Boyd played the bulk of the 2009 season as a member of the Jays AA-affiliate, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats
New Hampshire Fisher Cats
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are a minor league baseball team based in Manchester, New Hampshire. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays major-league club....
. He finished the year with a 1-6 win-loss record, a 4.76 ERA, 51 strikeouts and 6 saves in over 64 innings for the two clubs.
2010
The Blue Jays released Boyd in March 2010 and subsequently resigned with Neptunus. According to Boyd, his release was affected by his high walk count and the Jays' trading of Roy HalladayRoy Halladay
Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
to the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
in December 2009.
Personal life
Growing up, Boyd attended high school at Earl Marriott Secondary SchoolEarl Marriott Secondary School
Earl Marriott Secondary is a public high school in the Vancouver suburb of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada and is part of School District 36 Surrey. It is referred to as the 'Home of the Mariners'. It is located on the edge of city limits, on 16 Avenue...
in South Surrey
South Surrey
South Surrey is a neighborhood of Surrey, British Columbia. It borders on the city of White Rock, and at 10,535 people, South Surrey has the largest concentration of persons over the age of 60 of all Surrey's town centres...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. Although he was born in Canada, Leon received his Dutch passport in December, 2005, as a result of his mother being born and raised in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. Boyd's father, Sean, played ice hockey in the Netherlands from 1971–1974 and met Leon's mother, Wilma, there. Boyd married American softball
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
player Jeana Short on March 8, 2008. He has an older sister, Nadine.