Leon Durham – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Leon Durham’s name still means something in baseball circles, though maybe not always for the reasons he would’ve chosen. This left-handed slugger hung up his cleats in 1989 after a 10-year MLB run, with two All-Star nods, a Silver Slugger Award, and, unfortunately, one of the most infamous errors in postseason history. Fans knew him as “Bull.” Durham built a solid career, mostly with the Chicago Cubs, where he switched from outfield to first base and became a reliable power bat.

Durham’s journey through pro baseball had a bit of everything—talent, big moments, and some tough personal battles. From his All-American high school days in Cincinnati to his last swing with the St. Louis Cardinals, Durham’s story saw both championship highs and some crushing lows, including substance abuse issues that colored his later years.

His stats—147 home runs, 530 RBIs, and a .277 average—only tell part of the story. Durham’s impact on the game goes beyond numbers. He delivered clutch hits, made some unforgettable mistakes, and after retirement, spent years working with young hitters in the minors.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Leon Durham grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born on July 31, 1957.

His years at Cincinnati Woodward High School showed off his raw talent and set him up for the 1976 amateur draft.

Cincinnati Woodward High School Achievements

Durham attended Cincinnati Woodward High and graduated in 1976. His senior year earned him the title of high school All-American.

He hit a .385 average with 16 home runs that last season. Not bad for a high school kid.

Durham also took the mound and put up an 11-3 record as a pitcher.

That ability to both hit and pitch made scouts take notice. His power numbers and batting average hinted at the kind of hitter he’d become.

Amateur Draft Selection

The St. Louis Cardinals picked Durham in the 1976 amateur draft. He went in the first round, snagged at 15th overall.

That high spot showed just how much the Cardinals believed in his potential. Being a top-15 pick meant he stood out among his peers.

The Cardinals’ gamble paid off when Durham eventually made the big leagues. That draft day kicked off a pro career that would last more than a decade.

Major League Baseball Journey

Durham played in the majors from 1980 through 1989. He started with the St. Louis Cardinals, became a star with the Chicago Cubs, then finished up with short stints in Cincinnati and back with St. Louis.

Debut with St. Louis Cardinals

Leon Durham made his Major League Baseball debut on May 27, 1980, for the St. Louis Cardinals. The team had drafted him 15th overall in 1976.

He played outfield as a rookie and hit .271 with 8 homers that first year.

His stay in St. Louis didn’t last long, but it mattered. The Cardinals saw his value and included him in a major trade after the 1980 season.

They sent Durham and Ken Reitz to the Chicago Cubs for Bruce Sutter, a future Hall of Fame closer. That deal worked for both teams, giving the Cardinals the pitching they needed for their title chase.

Chicago Cubs Breakthrough

Durham’s game took off after he landed with the Chicago Cubs in 1981. He became the regular right fielder in that strike-shortened year, hitting 10 home runs.

He really broke out in 1982. Durham hit .312, good for third in the National League. He also blasted 22 home runs and swiped 28 bases, becoming the first Cub since 1911 to have a 20-20 season.

Key 1982 Achievements:

• .312 batting average (3rd in NL)
• 22 home runs
• 28 stolen bases
• NL All-Star selection
• Silver Slugger Award winner

He made another All-Star team in 1983. The Cubs then moved him to first base in 1984, replacing Bill Buckner.

As the Cubs’ new first baseman in 1984, Durham hit 23 homers and drove in a career-high 96 runs. That season, the Cubs won the NL East and made the playoffs for the first time in almost 40 years.

Durham came up big in the 1984 NLCS, hitting two home runs. But he also made a costly error in Game 5 that played a part in the Cubs’ heartbreaking loss.

Cincinnati Reds Tenure

The Chicago Cubs traded Durham to the Cincinnati Reds for pitcher Pat Perry after he started slow in 1988. That trade kicked off a rough patch in Durham’s career.

Durham hardly played for the Cincinnati Reds. He missed most of the 1988 season while getting treatment for substance abuse, which really cut into his playing time.

The Reds let him go after that season. His short stint in Cincinnati marked the lowest point of his MLB career, as his personal struggles affected his game.

Final Season with St. Louis Cardinals

Durham came back to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1989, returning to where it all started. But things didn’t get any easier.

He missed much of that season because of a drug suspension. That kept him off the field and limited his chances to help the team.

Durham played his last MLB game on September 17, 1989. He wrapped up his 10-year career with a .277 average, 147 home runs, and 530 RBIs.

Even though his later years were tough, Durham’s best seasons with the Cubs in the 1980s showed he could hit for power and speed as both a first baseman and outfielder.

Career Performance and Accolades

Leon Durham made his mark as a steady offensive threat in his 10 MLB seasons, hitting .277 with 147 home runs and 530 RBIs. His best years came with the Chicago Cubs, where he picked up a couple of All-Star selections and a Silver Slugger Award.

Batting Average and Offensive Stats

Durham kept a .277 average for his career. In 1982, he hit .312 and finished third in the National League.

That year, he collected 168 hits, scored 84 runs, and walked 66 times. His .388 on-base percentage and .521 slugging percentage added up to a .909 OPS.

Durham became the first Cub since 1911 to notch 20 home runs and 20 steals in a season. He stole 28 bases in 1982, showing off his speed and versatility.

He finished his career with 992 hits and 522 runs scored. On average, he hit 22 home runs and drove in 80 runs every 162 games.

Home Runs and RBIs

Durham’s power peaked with the Cubs. He hit 147 home runs and drove in 530 runs over 10 seasons.

He drove in a career-high 96 RBIs in 1984, helping the Cubs win their first division title in decades. That year, he also hit 23 homers while mostly playing first base.

In 1987, Durham hit a career-best 27 home runs. He put up 20 or more homers in five different seasons during the mid-80s.

He hit 138 of his career home runs during his eight years with the Cubs. His knack for driving in runs made him a key bat in Chicago’s lineup.

All-Star Selections

Durham made two All-Star teams, both while playing for the Cubs. He represented the National League in 1982 and 1983.

His first All-Star appearance came during his breakout season in 1982. Durham’s .312 average and 22 homers before the break earned him the spot.

He got a second All-Star nod in 1983, even though his numbers dipped a bit. He still hit 12 home runs and kept his reputation as a solid first baseman.

Silver Slugger Award Recognition

Durham won the Silver Slugger Award in 1982 for his big offensive year. The award goes to the best hitter at each position in both leagues.

He set career highs that season—.312 average, 22 homers, and 90 RBIs. That put him among the National League’s best hitters.

The Silver Slugger in 1982 confirmed Durham’s place as one of the game’s most complete players. His mix of power, speed, and contact hitting helped lead the Cubs during their turnaround.

1984 National League Championship Series and Legacy

The 1984 NLCS against the San Diego Padres shaped Durham’s legacy—he had huge moments and one mistake that still haunts Cubs fans. His first-inning homer in Game 5 gave Chicago hope for their first World Series since 1945, but a fielding error later in the game turned into one of baseball’s most talked-about playoff blunders.

Role in Cubs’ 1984 NLCS Run

Durham went into the 1984 NLCS as the Cubs’ cleanup hitter and first baseman. He had hit 23 home runs and driven in 96 runs that season, powering the Cubs to the NL East crown.

The series started perfectly for Durham and the Cubs. They blew out the Padres in the first two games at Wrigley Field, outscoring them 17-2. Durham kept swinging a hot bat as the series shifted to San Diego.

Durham’s NLCS Statistics:

• Batting Average: .375
• Home Runs: 2
• Key Hits: First-inning homer in Game 5

He hit a clutch home run in Game 4, giving Chicago a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning. But Steve Garvey’s walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth forced a winner-take-all Game 5.

Durham’s first-inning shot in Game 5 cleared the fence right over the Cubs logo, putting Chicago up 2-0. For a moment, it looked like the Cubs would finally break their 39-year World Series drought.

The Gatorade Glove Play

The seventh inning of Game 5—October 7, 1984—became the moment everyone remembers. The Cubs led 3-2, but San Diego started a rally that would change everything.

Carmelo Martinez walked and moved to second on a bunt. Padres manager Dick Williams called on Tim Flannery to pinch-hit.

Flannery hit a grounder right at Durham at first. He got into position, but the ball rolled through his legs, letting Martinez score the tying run.

“I was anticipating a hop and it just stayed flat,” Durham said after the game. “It didn’t come up or nothing.”

The error opened the door for San Diego. Alan Wiggins singled, Tony Gwynn doubled, and Steve Garvey singled again. The Padres scored three runs, knocked Rick Sutcliffe out, and took a 6-3 lead.

Key Opponents and Teammates

Durham ran into some real legends during the 1984 NLCS. Tony Gwynn, who later snagged eight National League batting titles, ripped the double that really broke things open after Durham’s error.

Steve Garvey just seemed to haunt Durham all series. The veteran first baseman had already crushed Cubs fans with that Game 4 walkoff homer. Then his RBI single in Game 5 basically crushed Chicago’s World Series hopes.

Durham’s Cubs teammates included future Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg and ace pitcher Rick Sutcliffe. Sutcliffe joined the Cubs in a midseason trade and tore through National League hitters, going 16-1.

The Cubs’ rotation also included Dennis Eckersley, who later turned into a dominant closer. Manager Jim Frey put together a roster that, honestly, a lot of people thought could finally win it all for Chicago.

Durham’s error ended up overshadowing some strong efforts from his teammates. The Cubs had built a 3-0 lead behind Sutcliffe’s pitching, right up until that seventh-inning collapse.

Comparisons to Bill Buckner

People often compare Durham’s error in the 1984 NLCS to Bill Buckner’s infamous mistake in the 1986 World Series. Both involved routine ground balls slipping through the legs of first basemen at the worst possible moments.

It’s hard not to notice how much those two plays have in common. Both happened in elimination games, with their teams ahead late. Both opened the floodgates for game-changing rallies.

Still, there are some key differences. Buckner’s error happened in Game 6 of the World Series, while Durham’s came in the NLCS. The Red Sox actually had another shot in Game 7.

Durham’s mistake sent San Diego to the World Series. The Padres moved on to face Detroit, though they lost in five games.

Both players took a lot of heat from fans and the media. Cubs fans really struggled to let go of Durham’s error, just like Red Sox fans blamed Buckner for ages. Those comparisons stuck with both men long after they left the field.

Transitions, Challenges, and Retirement

Durham’s last years in Major League Baseball felt rough. He dealt with big position changes, team switches, and some personal battles with substance abuse, which eventually pushed him out of pro baseball in 1989.

His path from Cubs star to a career-ending suspension with the St. Louis Cardinals turned into one of the cautionary baseball stories of the late 1980s.

Position Shift and Team Changes

By 1988, Durham’s role with the Cubs looked a lot different. Rookie Mark Grace showed up and took over first base, making Durham expendable after seven years as the everyday guy.

The Cubs shipped Durham to the Cincinnati Reds in May 1988 for pitcher Pat Perry. Going back to his hometown team should’ve been a good thing, but it didn’t work out that way.

Durham struggled badly with the Reds. He hit just .216 in 21 games before his season ended in July when he checked into a drug rehabilitation center.

The Reds let Durham go in November 1988. His rough performance and substance problems ended his time with his hometown club in less than a season.

Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation

Durham’s substance issues became public during his Cincinnati stint. He entered drug and alcohol rehabilitation in July 1988, missing the rest of the season.

The St. Louis Cardinals gave Durham another shot in February 1989. They signed him to a minor-league deal, hoping he could step in at first base if Pedro Guerrero got hurt.

At first, Durham seemed to be making progress during rehab. He played well for the Cardinals’ Triple-A Louisville team and passed four drug tests. Ted Simmons, who ran player development for St. Louis, said Durham was “clean as a whip” in May 1989.

The Cardinals called Durham up to the majors on June 23, 1989. He told reporters, “I’m clean. I’m healthy. I’m wise,” and said he was ready for a fresh start.

Retirement and Post-Playing Years

Durham’s comeback fizzled out. Even though he said he was drug-free, he got suspended 60 days on September 22, 1989, for failing to follow baseball’s drug-testing program.

The suspension happened after Durham had already struggled on the field. He hit just .056 (1-for-18) with one RBI during his short time with the Cardinals.

No big league team wanted to take a chance on Durham after that. His MLB career ended at age 32, capping a decade in the majors.

Durham spent years in the minors as a player and coach. He became a hitting coach for the Toledo Mud Hens, the Tigers’ Triple-A affiliate, and even made a brief return to the majors as Detroit’s assistant hitting coach in 2017.

Post-Playing Career and Cultural Impact

After retiring as a player in 1989, Durham dove into coaching. He spent 25 years moving from independent leagues to Major League Baseball. His story became part of the bigger narrative about redemption and second chances in baseball. Teams also started looking a little closer at how they evaluated first basemen after his defensive struggles.

Hitting Coach and Minor League Contributions

Durham didn’t let his playing career’s end define him. He played six more years of minor league ball from 1990 to 1995, bouncing around five different clubs, including St. Paul in the independent Northern League and teams in Mexico.

He started coaching in 1996. Durham logged 21 straight years as a minor league coach, all the way through 2016. The Toledo Mud Hens became his home for 16 seasons, from 2001 to 2016.

The Detroit Tigers noticed Durham’s coaching skills and promoted him to assistant hitting coach for the 2017 season. That brought him back to MLB after 27 years away.

Durham later worked with the Cincinnati Reds organization as a minor league coach from 2018 to 2020. His coaching career stretched across 25 years—24 in the minors, one in the majors.

Media Appearances and Pop Culture

Durham’s most famous pop culture moment? He popped up in the 1986 movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. There’s a scene at Wrigley Field during a Cubs game, and you can spot Durham playing first base in the background of the “Save Ferris” sequence.

That movie locked Durham into ‘80s pop culture history. His Cubs uniform showed up in one of the most memorable baseball scenes in film. The movie even introduced him to people who didn’t really follow baseball.

Durham’s story of addiction and redemption worked its way into the bigger baseball conversation. The media covered his substance struggles in detail. His return to coaching gave people a story of second chances in pro sports.

Influence on First Basemen Evaluations

Durham struggled with defense at first base, and that really affected how teams look at players for the position. His fielding percentage fell below the average for first basemen in his era.

This put a spotlight on the importance of defensive skills at first base. Modern stats like WAR (Wins Above Replacement) would definitely have called out Durham’s defensive issues.

He finished his career with a WAR of 16.26, which is respectable, but honestly, it could’ve been higher if he’d fielded better. Teams started to care more about defensive numbers when they looked at first basemen.

Durham’s career made it clear that just hitting well doesn’t cut it for first basemen. His power at the plate couldn’t make up for his glove, and that reality still shapes how teams develop and judge first base prospects.