| Don Leshnock | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
| Born: November 25, 1946 Youngstown, Ohio |
|
| Batted: Right | Threw: Left |
| MLB debut | |
| June 7, 1972 for the Detroit Tigers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 7, 1972 for the Detroit Tigers | |
| Career statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 0–0 |
| Earned run average | 0.00 |
| Strikeouts | 2 |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
Donald Lee Leshnock (born November 25, 1946) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Detroit Tigers in 1972, appearing in one game without giving up an earned run. He also played college baseball for the Youngstown State Penguins from 1965 to 1967 and was later inducted into the Youngstown State Athletic Hall of Fame. He played minor league baseball from 1968 to 1975.
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A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Leshnock played high school baseball for Ursuline High School.[1] He subsequently played college baseball for Youngstown State University from 1966 to 1968. He ranks second in Youngstown State history with a career earned run average of 1.61. He gave up his senior of eligibility to sign a contract to play professional baseball in the Detroit Tigers organization.[2][3] Leshnock was signed by Detroit scout Cy Williams.[4]
Before being called up to the Tigers in 1972, Leshnock played in Detroit's minor league system for the Lakeland Tigers (1968–69), Rocky Mount Leafs (1969–70), Montgomery Rebels (1971), and Toledo Mudhens (1972).[5] He pitched a no-hitter for Rocky Mount in 1970.[6] In 1971, he compiled a 7–3 record with 110 strikeouts in 101 innings for Montgomery.[5] After the 1971 season, the Tigers sent Leshnock to the Winter Instructional League in Dunedin, Florida, where he opened the winter season with a one-hitter against the Twins.[4]
The Tigers purchased Leshnock from the Mud Hens at the end of May 1972.[1][7] On June 7, 1972, Leshnock appeared in is only game for the Tigers, a 5-1 loss to the California Angels at Tiger Stadium. Leshnock pitched the ninth inning for the Tigers, giving up two hits while also striking out two batters and allowing no earned runs.[8] One of the batters he struck out was Nolan Ryan,[9] who got the win in the game while allowing only three hits.[8]
Leshnock's stay in the major leagues proved to be a cup of coffee, as he was returned to the Mud Hens in July 1972 and completed the season playing for the Mud Hens.[10][11]
In October 1972, Leshnock was sold by the Tigers along with catcher Tom Haller to the Philadelphia Phillies,[6] though he never appeared in a game for the Phillies.[12] Leshnock played three more years of minor league baseball for the Eugene Emeralds (1973), Charleston Charlies (1974–75), Jacksonville Suns (1975), and Shreveport Captains (1975).[5][13]
In 1986, Leshnock was inducted into the Youngstown State Athletic Hall of Fame. At the time, he was called "one of the greatest ever to don a Penguin baseball uniform."[2]
His son, Donnie Leshnock, was drafted by the New York Yankees in the fifth round of the 1992 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft and played four years in the Yankees' minor league organization from 1993 to 1996.[14][15]