Lee Wheat
From BR Bullpen
Leroy William Wheat
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 4", Weight 200 lb.
- School Northeast Missouri State Teachers College
- Debut April 21, 1954
- Final Game April 23, 1955
- Born September 15, 1929 in Edwardsville, IL USA
- Died July 29, 2008 in Fort Lauderdale, FL USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Pitcher Lee Wheat signed with the Cleveland Indians in 1948 but was drafted and served in the army from 1951 to 1953. He was traded to the Philadelphia Athletics on February 19, 1954 with Bill Upton for Dave Philley. Wheat began his major league career on April 21, 1954 at the age of 24 against the Washington Senators. Relieving Marion Fricano, Wheat pitched three innings, allowing six runs on five hits and five walks.
On April 16, 1956, Wheat was traded from Kansas City with Tom Saffell and cash to the Brooklyn Dodgers for Tim Thompson, though he never appeared in the major leagues with them.
Wheat spent nine seasons playing minor league baseball, going 51-49 in 224 games. In 1949, his first professional season, he went 17-9 with a 2.77 ERA for the Dayton Indians.
After his playing days, Wheat was a coach and later athletic director at Broward Community College. He died of pneumonia in 2008 at age 78.
