| Wade Lefler | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born:(1896-06-05)June 5, 1896 Cooleemee, North Carolina | |
| Died: March 6, 1981(1981-03-06) (aged 84) Hickory, North Carolina | |
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 16, 1924, for the Boston Braves | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 30, 1924, for the Washington Senators | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .556 |
| Slugging average | .889 |
| Runs batted in | 4 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
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Wade Hampton Lefler was aMajor League Baseball player. He played in six games for two different major league teams in1924, mostly as apinch hitter. He also played in one game as aright fielder. He was the first player to make the major leagues after attendingDuke University.[1]
After playing several years in theminor leagues, most recently for theWorcester Panthers in1923, Lefler made his debut for theBoston Braves on April 16, 1924, the second game of the season for the Braves. His stint with the Braves lasted just a singleplate appearance, in which hestruck out while pinch hitting for pitcherRube Marquard.[2] After the game, he returned to the Panthers, where he played most of the rest of 1924, batting .370 with 14home runs.
Wade Lavender Lefler returned to the majors with theWashington Senators on September 18. He appeared four more times as a pinch hitter, once pinch hitting forWalter Johnson.[3] In those four opportunities, hehit safely three times, including twodoubles. On September 30, he started his first game, playing right field and battingcleanup. In fourat bats, he had two more hits, including another double.[4] This turned out to be Lefler's last appearance in the majors, leaving him with a careerbatting average of .556, and a careerslugging average of .889.
After his brief major league career, Lefler played one more season in the minor leagues with theMemphis Chickasaws before retiring. He went on to become an attorney, serving as the city attorney forNewton, North Carolina. He died in 1981 at the age of 84.[5]
