On what would have been Walter “Buck” Leonard’s 115th birthday, we will celebrate Rocky Mount’s greatest hero and “Baseball’s Greatest Gentleman”.

Born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina in 1907, Walter “Buck” Leonard overcame a humble upbringing to become the greatest Negro Leagues baseball 1st baseman of all-time.  From 1934 to ’50, he captained the great Homestead Grays to 10 league championships and 3 Negro Leagues World Series titles. He was selected for a record 13 All-Star games, earning a reputation as one of the game’s most feared hitters and greatest gentlemen.

On August 7, 1972, Buck Leonard and his legendary teammate Josh Gibson were inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The “Thunder Twins” – Buck Leonard and Josh Gibson – became the first two men who played exclusively in the Negro leagues to be enshrined in Cooperstown.

A Gentleman and Hall of Famer on and off the field, we are proud to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Buck’s historic achievement with Rocky Mount Mayor Sandy Roberson and several other special guest speakers and dignitaries.

Due to limited space, this event is by invitation only but will be live-streamed on social media.