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

Leon Roberts put together an 11-year Major League Baseball career from 1974 to 1984, bouncing between six different teams in both leagues. The 6’3″ outfielder from Michigan finished with a .267 career batting average, 78 home runs, and 328 RBIs. He suited up for the Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, and Kansas City Royals.

Roberts’ journey through professional baseball had its share of trades, personal challenges, and moments of brilliance. He played through a hidden eye injury and managed to shine, even though offense dipped across the league during his era.

He started with promise as a possible successor to Detroit legend Al Kaline. His 1978 season with Seattle really stood out—he hit .301, smashed 22 home runs, and drove in 92 runs.

Roberts’ story stretches from his early days at the University of Michigan all the way to his last MLB game on September 30, 1984. He experienced the life of a well-traveled player who had to push through significant obstacles to keep his spot in the big leagues.

His career gives a glimpse into the struggles players faced during baseball’s transition years in the 1970s and early 1980s. Guys like Roberts had to deal with the grind of artificial turf and the shifting ways teams judged talent.

Early Life and Education

Leon Roberts grew up as a multi-sport athlete in Michigan, excelling in high school and college. Born in Vicksburg, Michigan, he became one of the state’s most recruited athletes by his senior year at Portage Northern High School.

He chose the University of Michigan for college.

Family Background

Leon Kauffman Roberts was born on January 22, 1951, in Vicksburg, Michigan. His family lived pretty modestly, and his father didn’t really care for baseball during Leon’s early years.

They didn’t have a television until Leon hit tenth grade. Because of that, he mostly followed baseball on the radio.

Even without TV, Leon caught the baseball bug by listening to Detroit Tigers games on his transistor radio. He collected baseball cards and learned about players all over the league, though oddly enough, he liked the New York Yankees more than the Tigers.

High School Years

At Portage Northern High School, Roberts made a name for himself as a multi-sport star. He played four sports: football, basketball, baseball, and track.

He picked up multiple All-State selections and All-American honors twice in both football and basketball. That kind of resume drew college recruiters from all over.

Roberts got scholarship offers for several sports from lots of universities. With his mix of athletic talent and solid academics, he became one of Michigan’s most coveted high school athletes.

University of Michigan Athletic Career

Roberts accepted a football scholarship to Michigan, but he didn’t stop there. He played football, basketball, and baseball for the Wolverines.

Coach Moby Benedict played a huge role in his baseball growth. Benedict focused on fundamentals and detail, and Roberts later said Benedict “sort of finished me off for pro baseball.”

Michigan’s structured program helped Roberts sharpen his skills at several positions. Detroit Tigers scout Bill Lajoie noticed his progress and kept tabs on him throughout college.

Major League Baseball Debut and Early Career

Leon Roberts joined the Detroit Tigers organization in 1972 and made his major league debut on September 3, 1974. As a Michigan native, he faced the tough task of replacing Hall of Famer Al Kaline in right field. Roberts tried to settle in as a corner outfielder during his first two seasons with Detroit.

Draft and Signing with the Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers picked Roberts in the 10th round of the 1972 draft, 236th overall. Bill Lajoie, who later ran the team as general manager, had quietly watched Roberts’ college career.

Roberts stood out as a multi-sport athlete in high school and got offers for football, basketball, and baseball. After a stint in the Cape Cod League, the Tigers let him know they wanted him.

“He stayed pretty quiet about how much he was scouted me,” Roberts remembered about Lajoie. “Scouts don’t like to show too much interest so they don’t give the appearance that they know too much.”

Detroit moved fast once they decided. Lajoie put Roberts on a plane right after the draft, and Roberts signed that same night.

Replacing Al Kaline

Roberts felt a ton of pressure when he joined the Tigers in 1974. The team wanted him to step in for Al Kaline, a Detroit icon who played 22 seasons.

They put Roberts’ locker right next to Kaline’s. That gave him a chance to learn from a legend, but Roberts later said he wished he’d asked more questions.

“That was a lot of pressure, trying to replace him,” Roberts said. “When you’re young and a rookie you’re supposed to keep your mouth shut, and be seen and not heard.”

Kaline kept things low-key and didn’t force advice on him. Roberts described his rookie season as “tiptoeing through the mine field as a first-year player in the big leagues.”

First Seasons in the Major Leagues

Roberts made his big league debut on September 3, 1974, at 23 years old. He went 0-for-5 against the Cleveland Indians, but the short stint gave him a taste of the majors.

In 1975, Roberts started strong, batting .383 with 11 RBIs in his first 17 games through May 16th. He hit his first home run at Fenway Park off Rick Wise on a 3-1 slider in the seventh inning.

He played with Tigers veterans like Bill Freehan, Mickey Lolich, and Aurelio Rodriguez. The team was getting older, so Roberts and other younger players saw more action.

His two seasons in Detroit had ups and downs. Roberts put up a modest batting average while learning the ropes. After 1975, the Tigers traded him to the Houston Astros, closing his chapter with his hometown team.

Trades and Teams Throughout MLB Career

Leon Roberts played for six teams during his 11-year MLB run from 1974 to 1984. Trades and moves shaped his journey through the American League.

Houston Astros Period

Roberts started with Detroit in 1974, then moved to the Houston Astros. The Astros brought him in to boost their outfield in the mid-1970s.

While in Houston, Roberts worked to prove himself as a reliable corner outfielder. The Astros gave him chances to develop in the majors.

His time in Houston was short but important for his growth. That experience helped him get ready for bigger roles later.

Seattle Mariners and Breakout

The Seattle Mariners traded for Roberts, and it worked out for both sides. Seattle, still new as an expansion team, needed capable players.

Roberts found his groove with the Mariners and became a key part of their outfield. His Seattle years turned out to be his most productive.

The Mariners gave him steady playing time, which let him show off his skills. He became a solid corner outfielder who could help on both sides of the ball.

His play in Seattle built his reputation as a dependable guy. Other teams started to take notice.

Texas Rangers Transactions

The Texas Rangers traded for Roberts to add outfield depth. Texas wanted experienced players who could step in right away.

Roberts joined a Rangers team trying to get competitive. His veteran presence helped stabilize their outfield.

The Rangers mostly used Roberts as a corner outfielder. He brought steady play and experience to the lineup.

His Texas stint fit into the Rangers’ plan to build a stronger team. Roberts filled a needed role during that stretch.

Toronto Blue Jays Move

The Toronto Blue Jays picked up Roberts as part of their roster construction. Toronto was still a young franchise looking for proven players.

Roberts joined the Blue Jays as they were building toward something bigger. His veteran leadership helped a young team find its way.

The Blue Jays leaned on Roberts’ experience and outfield skills. He gave them a professional approach and steady play.

His time in Toronto added another stop to his well-traveled career. Roberts adjusted to every new team and kept contributing.

Career Highlights and Notable Achievements

Leon Roberts had his best year in 1978 with the Seattle Mariners, putting up career numbers that got him MVP votes. Over 11 years, he hit 78 home runs and batted .267 across six teams.

1978 Season Success

Roberts broke out in 1978 with Seattle. He hit .301, launched 22 home runs, and drove in 92 runs over 134 games.

He finished 33rd in American League MVP voting that year, the only time he got MVP consideration.

That season was his most complete. He collected 142 hits, scored 78 runs, and posted solid power numbers.

His WAR (Wins Above Replacement) reached 4.4, the best of his career. That number shows just how valuable he was to the Mariners in their early days.

Batting Statistics and Home Runs

Roberts ended up with a .267 batting average in 901 games. He tallied 731 hits in 2,737 at-bats over 11 seasons.

He hit 78 career home runs and drove in 328 runs. Oddly enough, he holds the MLB record for most home runs by a player born on January 22nd.

Career Totals	Statistics
Games Played	901
Batting Average	.267
Home Runs	78
RBIs	328
Hits	731

His best power year came in 1978, with 22 home runs. That was also his top RBI season at 92.

Memorable Games and Milestones

Roberts debuted in the majors on September 3, 1974, with Detroit at age 23. He played his last game on September 30, 1984, for the Kansas City Royals.

He called two domed stadiums his home ballparks during his career: the Astrodome in Houston and the Kingdome in Seattle.

Roberts played through an eye injury and still kept up his batting numbers. That kind of grit says a lot about him as a pro.

His best stretch came with Seattle from 1978 to 1980. Over those three years, he hit .276 with 47 home runs and 179 RBIs.

Challenges and Personal Struggles

Leon Roberts faced real obstacles during his 11-year MLB career. He dealt with a serious vision problem that he hid from teams and coaches. He had to adapt constantly, moving between six organizations and pushing through physical issues that might’ve ended most players’ careers.

Hidden Vision Problems

Roberts hid a devastating eye injury throughout his entire professional career. When he was a kid, he accidentally stabbed his eye with a jackknife while playing. That accident left him with severely impaired vision in his right eye and poor depth perception in his left.

His bad eyesight made tracking pitches and judging fly balls a constant challenge. To hide his condition during team physicals, Roberts came up with an elaborate system. He’d memorize eye charts by listening to the guys ahead of him in line, then just recite the letters from memory when it was his turn.

“I never told anyone that I had such bad vision in my right eye, not a manager, not a teammate, not anyone,” Roberts admitted years later. He always worried that if anyone found out, he’d get cut from the team right away.

His vision problems definitely affected how he played against certain pitchers. He could handle hard throwers like Nolan Ryan, but soft-tossing pitchers with breaking balls really gave him fits.

His stats show the struggle. Against curveball specialist Steve Stone, he batted just .129.

Transition Between Teams

Roberts went through the emotional wringer with all the trades during his career. That first trade—from Detroit to Houston in 1975—hit him especially hard. He found out about it while playing winter ball in Puerto Rico, and the news came to him in Spanish from a teammate.

The trade completely blindsided Roberts. “I was in winter ball and it was during baseball’s winter meetings, and we were in Mayagüez (Puerto Rico) and somebody tells me in Spanish ‘You’ve just been traded to the Houston Astros,'” he remembered.

He couldn’t even tell his wife about the trade for four days. Growing up in Michigan and playing for his home state university, Roberts had always figured he’d spend his whole career with the Tigers.

Every trade after that forced him to adjust to new organizations, coaching styles, and team cultures. All that moving around made it tough to build lasting relationships with teammates and coaches.

Adaptation as an Outfielder

Roberts faced a lot of position changes that really tested his adaptability. He started out as a center fielder, but moved to right field to make room for Ron LeFlore’s speed and defensive skills.

Switching outfield positions got even trickier because of his secret vision issues. Judging fly balls and tracking their path took a lot of extra focus to work around his depth perception problems.

Playing on artificial turf at several stadiums made his defensive work even tougher. The hard surface at places like the Astrodome, Kingdome, and Royals Stadium really wore him down.

“I played two years on turf in Houston, three years on turf in Seattle, and two years at the end of my career on turf in Kansas City,” Roberts said. That unforgiving surface beat up his knees, back, and ankles, and eventually pushed him to retire after just 11 seasons.

Later Career, International Play, and Retirement

In his final years as a pro, Roberts enjoyed a successful stint playing winter ball in Venezuela and slowly shifted from player to mentor. He wrapped up his career with the Kansas City Royals in 1984, finally hitting his goal of playing over a decade in the majors.

Leones del Caracas and Venezuelan League

During the 1977-1978 winter season, Roberts joined the Leones del Caracas in the Venezuelan League. That timing turned out to be crucial for him. He’d just been traded from Houston to Seattle and needed to get his confidence back at the plate.

Manager Felipe Alou helped Roberts rediscover his swing. That winter, Roberts hit an impressive .395 batting average. The team thrived under Alou, even winning the league championship.

Roberts said that winter ball experience got him “back on track” after a rough patch. The success in Venezuela gave him a big boost heading into his 1978 season with Seattle.

He carried that confidence into spring training with the Mariners.

Final MLB Seasons and Retirement in 1984

Roberts played out his big league career with the Kansas City Royals from 1982 to 1984. He’d already reached his personal goal of ten seasons in the majors. By the time he got to Kansas City, years of playing on hard turf had taken a toll on his body.

The Royals became his sixth and last MLB team. He played multiple outfield spots during his time there, but his role shifted more toward veteran leadership and occasional starts.

After the 1984 season, Roberts officially retired. He finished with an 11-year MLB career—.267 average, 78 homers, and 328 RBIs in 901 games. All those years on artificial turf really did a number on his knees, back, and ankles.

Minor League and Managerial Roles

Once Roberts retired as a player, he moved into coaching and managing. He started out managing in the Detroit Tigers’ minor league system in the mid-1980s. His first gigs included managing the Tigers’ Triple-A teams in Nashville (1986) and Toledo (1987).

Roberts drew on his playing background to help develop young talent. He spent several years working in Detroit’s farm system, sharing his know-how on hitting and outfield play.

The Senior Professional Baseball League later brought Roberts in as a player-manager. He made around $7,000-8,000 a month during those two years. That league gave former big leaguers a chance to keep playing competitively.

Eventually, Roberts became a hitting coach for the Fresno Grizzlies, the Houston Astros’ top minor league affiliate. His coaching career stretched across decades, letting him pass along his experience to new generations of players.

Trades Involving Cecil Fielder and Career Legacy

Leon Roberts’ last major trade in 1983 sent him to Kansas City in exchange for a young prospect named Cecil Fielder, which ended up being one of baseball’s most lopsided deals. That trade shaped both players’ legacies in completely different ways.

Cecil Fielder Trade

On February 5, 1983, the Kansas City Royals sent Cecil Fielder to the Toronto Blue Jays for Leon Roberts. At that point, Fielder was just a minor league prospect who’d hit .322 with 20 home runs in 69 Pioneer League games the previous year.

The deal looked routine for Kansas City. They got an experienced outfielder in Roberts to fill an immediate roster need, while Fielder stayed buried in Toronto’s minor league system.

Roberts played his last season with the Royals in 1984. He spent most of that year on the disabled list with a lower back strain, then got released on October 10, 1984.

Meanwhile, Fielder’s career exploded after he played in Japan’s Central League. He came back to MLB with Detroit and turned into one of the American League’s top power hitters. Fielder led the AL in home runs twice and even topped 50 homers, making the trade one of Kansas City’s biggest blunders.

Impact on Future Players

The Roberts-Fielder trade turned into a cautionary tale about evaluating young talent. Roberts gave Kansas City very little production during his short stint, playing just 56 games because of injuries.

Fielder’s rise showed why teams should be patient with prospects. His transformation from struggling minor leaguer to elite slugger proved that some guys just bloom late.

This trade ranks among the worst in Royals history, often mentioned alongside other moves like trading David Cone for Ed Hearn. Baseball writers still bring it up when talking about trades involving unproven prospects.

The deal also showed how teams sometimes use veteran players as quick fixes, only to lose future stars in the process. Roberts’ back problems limited what he could offer, which made the trade sting even more for Kansas City.

Post-retirement Coaching Career

After he retired in 1984, Roberts stepped away from professional baseball. He didn’t follow the usual route that many former players take, like coaching or joining a front office.

Roberts spent 11 years in the MLB, bouncing between six different teams. With all that experience, you’d think he might have ended up as a coach or instructor somewhere.

But honestly, there’s not much out there about Roberts holding any formal coaching jobs at the pro level. Kind of surprising, isn’t it?

Other players from Roberts’ era often found success in coaching, especially those who could play multiple outfield positions like he did. His understanding of different teams and systems probably would’ve helped a lot of younger guys.

It’s interesting how Roberts lived a pretty quiet life after baseball, while Fielder stayed in the spotlight through his son, Prince Fielder. That 1983 trade really kept having ripple effects, didn’t it?