Don Leppert, who spent more than 40 years in baseball as a player and coach, notably with the Pittsburgh Pirates, died April 13 in Ohio. He was 91.
“We are deeply saddened to hear the news on the passing of Don Leppert,” Pirates president Travis Williams said in a statement Monday. “He touched many lives during his more than 40 years in baseball and was a valuable part of the Pirates coaching staff during the 1971 World Series winning season. Our hearts go out to his wife, Daphine, and the entire Leppert family.”
Leppert played four MLB seasons, and while he had a career batting average of .229 and only 122 career hits, he enjoyed some huge achievements. He debuted in June 1961 with the Pirates and homered on the first MLB pitch he ever saw, against the St. Louis Cardinals. After one more season in Pittsburgh, he went to the Washington Senators, where he’s best remembered for hitting three home runs in a game against the Boston Red Sox in April 1963.
The catcher made the All-Star team that season, but fell out of the majors after 1964. After a couple of years in the minors, he became a manager in Pittsburgh’s’ minor league system, then joined the Pirates staff in 1968.
Leppert served as first-base coach for the 1971 World Series champion Pirates. When star outfielder Roberto Clemente collected his 3,000th career hit in 1972, Leppert carried the ball around in his back pocket after the play.
In 1977, Leppert moved on to coach several seasons with the new Toronto Blue Jays. He then spent six seasons as a coach for the Houston Astros, before finishing his career as a minor league coordinator and coach for the Minnesota Twins.
In addition to his wife of 65 years, Leppert is survived by five children, nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
Pirates fans paid tribute to Leppert.
The last remaining member of the '71 WS Champ coaching staff – RIP
— Alan Simon (@AlanSimonWriter) April 17, 2023
@WabashCollege ⚾️RIP Don Leppert, Wabash alum from the 1950s who passed away on Thursday. In his 1st major league at bat he hit a home run off perennial all-star Curt Simmons and later in that game picked Tim McCarver off 1B. He was an MLB coach for TOR, HOU, PIT@WabashBaseball
— Emmett McAuliffe (@McLff) April 17, 2023
Saddened by the passing of Don Leppert!! Who played and was a first base coach for the Bucs!! https://t.co/GUSM9j7LWr
— George Von Benko (@VonBenko) April 17, 2023
What a life he lived. I did not know he hit a HR in his first MLB at bat!
— Brian Lewis (@BRILEWIS) April 16, 2023
[Pittsburgh Tribune; Photo credit: Snyder Funeral Homes]
