Johnnie LeMaster – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Most baseball fans remember players for their biggest moments, but honestly, sometimes the most fascinating stories come from those who just refuse to give in when things get tough. Johnnie LeMaster, who played professional baseball from 1975 to 1987, stands out in San Francisco Giants history—not just for his play, but for the way he faced unique challenges in front of some pretty unforgiving crowds.

LeMaster hung up his cleats in 1987, ending a 12-year MLB career that started with a bang and included a legendary answer to booing fans, making him a cult hero in baseball circles. The Kentucky native played for four teams, spending a solid 10 years with the San Francisco Giants before wrapping things up with short stops in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Oakland.

He went from being a top high school prospect to a regular in the majors, giving us a glimpse into the pressure pro athletes deal with and the mental toughness you really need to stick around. His career, from that wild debut to his creative way of handling hecklers, tells you a lot about the highs and lows of pro baseball in the 1970s and 1980s.

Early Life and Background

Johnnie Lee LeMaster grew up in a small Kentucky town, and his athletic skills showed up pretty early. By eighth grade, he was already on the radar of major league scouts.

His family loved sports, and his impressive high school career across several sports set the stage for baseball.

Family and Hometown

Johnnie Lee LeMaster was born on June 19, 1954, in Portsmouth, Ohio, to John Lowell and Mabel (Fyffe) LeMaster. The family moved to Paintsville, Kentucky, when he was young so they could be closer to relatives.

Sports were a big deal in the LeMaster family. His brother Link played both golf and baseball at a high level. His cousin Frank LeMaster spent nine seasons as a linebacker with the Philadelphia Eagles.

LeMaster’s dad worked at the Ashland Oil Catlettsburg refinery. His mom, Mabel, taught at Paintsville Elementary School. They settled right into the tight-knit community in eastern Kentucky.

By eighth grade, scouts were already checking him out. Cincinnati Reds scout Gene Bennett even handed young Johnnie his business card, and that’s where the big league interest really kicked off.

High School Baseball at Paintsville

At Paintsville High School, LeMaster was just everywhere, racking up an incredible 21 varsity letters in four different sports. He played quarterback in football, center in basketball (putting up 21 points a game), and shot in the 70s on the golf course.

But baseball was where he really shined. He pitched and played infield for the Paintsville High Tigers. In his senior year, he hit an eye-popping .533. As a pitcher, he picked up four wins and three saves.

“There would be 30 scouts at every game I played,” LeMaster remembered. “They’d come knocking on the neighbors’ doors to ask about me. They’d show up at the high school and run eye tests and psychological tests on me.”

All that attention? It just showed how much talent he had. Major league teams kept a close eye on him all through high school.

Path to Professional Baseball

The 1973 amateur draft put LeMaster right near the top of Kentucky’s high school prospects. Kansas City wanted to take him ninth overall—as a pitcher. But the San Francisco Giants swooped in with the sixth pick.

The Giants picked him to play shortstop, not pitcher. That move changed everything—he never pitched in the majors.

For a long time, LeMaster was Kentucky’s highest MLB draft pick, until Drew Hall went third overall in 1984. Even now, he’s still the highest-drafted high school player from Kentucky.

“I didn’t know that much about the Giants because everyone around here were Reds fans,” LeMaster said. “I was watching the Big Red Machine in 1973, they were together then, and two years later I was playing against them. It was like a dream come true.”

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Johnnie LeMaster played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1975 to 1987. He spent most of his time with the San Francisco Giants as their main shortstop.

He played for four teams in total and built a reputation for his defensive skills, even though he struggled at the plate with a .222 career batting average.

MLB Debut with San Francisco Giants

LeMaster made his MLB debut on September 2, 1975, and it was anything but ordinary. The Giants beat the Dodgers 7-3 at Candlestick Park, and LeMaster wasn’t even supposed to play—he came in when Chris Speier got hurt.

His first at-bat turned into a piece of baseball trivia. He faced Hall of Famer Don Sutton and looked pretty lost on two curveballs.

“The first pitch he throws me was a big curve and I had no chance of hitting it,” LeMaster said. “Some fan in the stands yells, ‘Hey kid, this is the big leagues!'”

But then, on the third pitch, LeMaster got a fastball and lined it to center. The ball hit a seam in the artificial turf, bounced over the centerfielder’s head, and LeMaster raced around the bases for an inside-the-park home run.

That made him the first player ever to hit an inside-the-park homer in his very first at-bat. He only hit 21 more home runs in the next 3,191 at-bats.

Teams Played For and Position

LeMaster played for four teams during his 12 years in the majors, but the San Francisco Giants were his main squad for a decade. He mostly played shortstop, though he filled in at second and third base when needed.

Career Team Breakdown:

• San Francisco Giants (1975-1985): 10 seasons
• Cleveland Indians (1985): Partial season
• Pittsburgh Pirates (1985): Partial season
• Oakland Athletics (1987): Final season

The 1985 season was a rough one. LeMaster played for the Giants, Indians, and Pirates—all three teams finished dead last in their divisions.

His role changed depending on where he was, but with the Giants, he was the regular shortstop most of the time. His defense kept him in the lineup, even though his bat never really came around.

He fit the mold of a 1970s infielder—skinny, quick, but not much power. In 1983, he showed off his speed with 39 stolen bases, good for seventh in the National League.

Career Milestones and Transitions

LeMaster’s career had some pretty interesting highlights. In 1983, he had his best year at the plate, collecting over 100 hits and batting .240.

Looking at his career stats, you can tell he was a defense-first guy. He finished with a .222 average, 709 hits, 22 homers, and 229 RBIs over 320 runs scored.

One of his most talked-about moments came in 1979, when he decided to do something about the constant booing from Giants fans. His wife suggested he just change his name to “Boo.” That sparked an idea.

“I asked our equipment manager to make me up a jersey with ‘Boo’ on the back of it,” LeMaster said. He wore it for three outs before management made him switch back.

He got fined $500, but a lot of fans warmed up to him after that. LeMaster even said, “I started getting booed a lot less after that.”

He played his last season in 1987 with the Oakland Athletics. After retiring, he stayed involved with the Giants, showing up at team events and keeping his Bay Area baseball ties alive.

San Francisco Giants Tenure

LeMaster spent a full decade with the San Francisco Giants from 1975 to 1985, mostly as their everyday shortstop. His time there had its share of memorable moments, tough times with fans, and reliable defense—even if his offense lagged behind.

Key Seasons and Performance

LeMaster broke into the majors on September 2, 1975, and played 22 games that year. He bounced between the big leagues and Triple-A Phoenix until 1977, slowly becoming the Giants’ main shortstop.

By 1978, he played his first full season, appearing in 101 games and bumping his batting average up to .235. His glove was a work in progress, though—he made 14 errors that season.

Throughout his Giants years, his numbers at the plate stayed pretty modest. In 1984, he hit .217 with 98 hits and four home runs. His fielding percentage that year, .964, ranked fifth among NL shortstops.

Career Stats with Giants (1975-1985):

• Games: 1,000+
• Batting Average: .222
• Home Runs: 18
• RBIs: 200+
• Fielding Position: Shortstop

The Giants didn’t have much team success during his time. They finished above .500 just twice in those 10 years, and in 1984, they hit rock bottom with a 66-96 record.

Relationship with Fans and Nickname

LeMaster became a lightning rod for frustration as the Giants slogged through the late ’70s and early ’80s. Fans at Candlestick Park booed him, sometimes relentlessly.

“Our record wasn’t the greatest the whole time that I played there,” LeMaster said. “Maybe they needed somebody to let their frustration out on, or their anger.”

The booing peaked in 1979. LeMaster’s wife, Debbie, thought he should just have fun with it. One night, she said, “You should just change your name to Boo!”

So, on July 23, 1979, LeMaster wore a jersey with “Boo” on the back for the first inning against the Dodgers. General Manager Spec Richardson immediately told him to change jerseys. The equipment manager lost his job right then but got it back later that night.

LeMaster got fined $500 for being out of uniform, but that little stunt actually made some fans like him more, and the booing cooled off.

Notable Moments as a Giant

LeMaster’s most unforgettable moment came in his very first big league at-bat. On September 2, 1975, he hit an inside-the-park home run off Don Sutton at Candlestick Park.

The ball hit a seam in the AstroTurf, bounced over center fielder John Hale’s head, and LeMaster sprinted all the way home. He became just the third player in MLB history to hit an inside-the-park homer in his first at-bat.

“I hit every base perfect and probably never ran that fast in my life or probably ever again,” LeMaster said. The Giants won that game 7-3.

He hit his second career home run on September 6, 1975, against the Cincinnati Reds—his childhood favorite team. That one came at Riverfront Stadium in a 3-2 loss.

LeMaster played his last game as a Giant on May 7, 1985, before the team traded him to Cleveland for Mike Jeffcoat and Luis Quiñones. After 11 games that season, his decade with the Giants was over.

Career Highlights and Notable Achievements

Johnnie LeMaster made his mark on baseball history with a debut that people still talk about. He found a way to handle criticism from fans and created some truly memorable moments.

Inside-the-Park Home Runs

LeMaster pulled off something only two other players had managed before. He hit an inside-the-park home run in his very first big league at-bat on September 2, 1975.

That moment came against Don Sutton at Candlestick Park. After missing badly on two curveballs, LeMaster connected with a fastball and sent it up the middle.

The ball hit a seam in the Candlestick AstroTurf, bounced high over John Hale’s head in center, and LeMaster tore around the bases.

“I hit every base perfect and probably never ran that fast in my life or probably ever again,” he said. The crowd of 5,098 gave him a standing ovation.

Amazingly, LeMaster also hit an inside-the-park home run for his final career homer. That happened on June 5, 1985, when he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Memorable Games Against the Dodgers

The Dodgers always seemed to be around for LeMaster’s biggest moments. He made his debut on September 2, 1975, during a crucial division rivalry game at Candlestick Park.

LeMaster jumped into the game as a defensive replacement for Chris Speier, who’d gotten hurt. He had only joined the team a few hours before the afternoon game and, believe it or not, couldn’t find his glove at first.

“A couple of veteran players hid my glove on me,” LeMaster said. “My shoes weren’t even tied. By the time I found my glove and tied my shoes, the pitcher was ready.”

The Giants won that game 7-3. LeMaster’s inside-the-park home run sealed the win against their biggest rival.

That homer made him just the second San Francisco Giants player to go deep in his first at-bat. John Montefusco pulled it off the year before.

Uniform Name Change to ‘Boo’

LeMaster got pretty creative when it came to dealing with fan criticism. On July 23, 1979, during a home game against the Dodgers, he finally had enough of the constant booing and decided to take his wife’s advice.

“So, I was laying in bed one night and my wife sat up and said, ‘You should just change your name to Boo!'” LeMaster recalled. He went to the equipment manager and asked for a jersey with “Boo” stitched on the back.

He wore the custom jersey for the first inning. General Manager Spec Richardson waited for him with his regular jersey after the half-inning, looking furious.

“Put this on right now!” Richardson barked. He fired the equipment manager on the spot, though the guy got rehired later that same night.

LeMaster got slapped with a $500 fine for being out of uniform. Still, his little act of rebellion actually won over a lot of fans and seemed to take some of the sting out of the booing.

“I’d have to say it won the fans over and the reporters were all over me about it, because they love a good story,” LeMaster said.

Career Statistics and Playing Style

Johnnie LeMaster played 12 seasons in MLB from 1975 to 1987. He finished with a .222 batting average and not much power, but he held down shortstop with solid defense. His glove kept him in the lineup, especially during his decade with the San Francisco Giants.

Offensive Performance: Runs, Hits, and Home Runs

LeMaster racked up 709 hits in 1,039 big league games. He crossed the plate for 320 runs and drove in 229 RBIs over those 12 seasons.

Power numbers? Not really his thing. He hit just 22 home runs in more than 3,000 at-bats. His best year for power came in 1983, when he hit 6 homers.

He had his best offensive year in 1983, too. That season, he collected 128 hits, scored 81 runs, and stole 39 bases. He also set his personal high with 608 plate appearances.

LeMaster’s hitting peaked in the late ’70s and early ’80s. He hit .254 in 1979, his best average, and picked up 87 hits in 343 at-bats.

Speed became a bigger part of his game in the 1980s. In 1983, he swiped 39 bases, his career high. Over his last five seasons, he stole 70 bases total.

OPS and Key Batting Metrics

LeMaster’s career OPS sat at .566, which pretty much tells you he struggled at the plate. His on-base percentage was .277, and his slugging percentage was .289. Both numbers fell well below league averages.

He had his best offensive years in 1978 and 1979, when he posted a .627 OPS. Those were the only seasons he cracked .600 OPS in his career.

Strikeouts gave him trouble throughout his career. He struck out 564 times and walked 241 times. His strikeout rate climbed in later seasons, especially in 1982 when he struck out 78 times.

His career OPS+ of 60 meant he produced 40% below league average offensively. Only three times did he manage an OPS+ above 70.

LeMaster’s best individual batting stats came in 1983. He walked 60 times, a personal best, and posted a .317 on-base percentage that year.

Defensive Skills as a Shortstop

LeMaster spent most of his career as the Giants’ primary shortstop, holding down the middle infield almost every day for nearly a decade. His defense kept him in the lineup, even when he wasn’t hitting.

He played 986 games at shortstop for San Francisco. His range and arm made him a steady defender. The Giants trusted his glove enough to keep him as their regular starter.

Later in his career, LeMaster showed off some defensive versatility. In 1987 with Oakland, he played all over the infield, including third and second base. That flexibility kept him on the field a little longer.

His fielding stats showed steady, if not flashy, defense. He committed errors at a rate typical for shortstops of his era. His positioning and instincts made up for average athleticism.

LeMaster’s consistency in the field gave Giants pitchers some peace of mind. He turned double plays and handled routine grounders, making him a dependable presence in the infield during the late ’70s and early ’80s.

Final Playing Years and Retirement

LeMaster’s last few years in the majors were a whirlwind. Between 1985 and 1987, he bounced between three teams before finishing up with the Oakland Athletics. He played his final game on July 28, 1987, at the Oakland Coliseum.

Stints with Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates

After a decade with the Giants, LeMaster got traded to the Cleveland Indians on May 7, 1985. The Giants received Mike Jeffcoat and Luis Quiñones in return.

LeMaster made his Indians debut the very next day, playing shortstop against the White Sox. His time in Cleveland didn’t last long.

The Indians shipped him to the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 30, 1985, for a player to be named later. Another quick move in what became a nomadic end to his career.

He played just 22 games for the Pirates that season. His playing time dropped off as his career wound down.

The Pirates released LeMaster two days before the 1986 season began. He and his wife moved back to Paintsville, Kentucky, with their two kids to be closer to family.

Oakland Athletics and Last MLB Appearance

LeMaster signed with the Oakland Athletics as a free agent in 1987. That contract gave him one last shot at the big leagues.

While with Oakland, LeMaster had a memorable conversation with Reggie Jackson about fan criticism. Jackson told him, “People don’t boo nobodies. You’re somebody.” LeMaster later said that made him feel like a million bucks.

He played in 20 games for the A’s in 1987. July 28, 1987, marked his last big league game at the Oakland Coliseum.

The A’s lost to the Angels 9-2 that day. Oakland released LeMaster in July 1987, ending his 12-year MLB run.

Retirement and Post-MLB Activities

After the A’s let him go, LeMaster called it a career. He finished with a .222 batting average, 22 home runs, and 229 RBIs in 1,039 games.

LeMaster played one season of Senior League ball with the Fort Myers Sun Sox. He also started a business and coached Little League.

In 1994, LeMaster became the head baseball coach for the Pikeville College Bears. He stuck around for 12 years, coaching until 2006.

He stayed involved in baseball, coaching and mentoring young players. Moving from player to coach let him pass along his experience to the next generation.

Legacy and Life After Baseball

After retiring from Major League Baseball in 1987, Johnnie LeMaster went back to Kentucky and threw himself into coaching and community life. He ran sporting goods stores, coached at different levels, and stayed connected to his Christian faith and hometown of Paintsville.

Coaching and Community Involvement

LeMaster jumped right into giving back after his playing days ended. He coached several youth league teams in Paintsville, sharing his pro experience with young players and keeping up with his grandkids’ sports.

His coaching career took off when he became head coach at Pikeville College (now the University of Pikeville). LeMaster turned around a struggling Bears program over 12 seasons. His peers even named him Coach of the Year in his conference.

He left Pikeville as the school’s wins leader. After that, he coached at Ashland Paul Blazer High School, where he got the chance to coach his grandsons.

Besides coaching, LeMaster ran Johnnie LeMaster Sports Centers in Paintsville and Pikeville. These stores served the community until both closed, with Hibbett Sports eventually taking over the Paintsville spot.

Influence on Baseball Culture

LeMaster’s most memorable cultural moment came with a bit of humor in July 1979. After taking heat from Giants fans for his hitting and some rare errors, he asked the equipment manager to put “BOO” on his jersey. He wore it for half an inning before the general manager made him switch back.

“Can you guess who all the reporters were talking to after the game?” LeMaster said, laughing about the incident. The stunt earned him a fine but also made him a fan favorite.

He also hit an inside-the-park home run in his first major league at-bat, a feat only two players in baseball history have pulled off on debut.

Recognition and Personal Life

LeMaster lives in Paintsville, Kentucky. He stays involved with his church and considers himself a devout Christian.

His family really leans into sports. His brother Link stood out in both baseball and golf, while his cousin Frank LeMaster actually played in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles.

The whole LeMaster athletic streak keeps going with his grandchildren. They jump into all sorts of sports.

Now that he’s retired, LeMaster spends a lot of time golfing. You’ll often see him hanging out at local baseball and softball fields, cheering on his grandkids.

During his 12 years in the MLB, LeMaster put up a .222 batting average, hit 22 home runs, and had 229 RBIs in 1,039 games. He played for four different teams, but he stuck with the San Francisco Giants for 10 of those seasons, which is pretty impressive—especially since sticking with one team for that long wasn’t all that common back then.