Johnnie Lee LeMaster (born June 19, 1954) is an American former Major League Baseballinfielder. He played for four teams over a 12 year (1975–1985 and 1987) MLB career, including 10 seasons with the San Francisco Giants. He batted and threw right-handed.
Professional career
On September 2, 1975, LeMaster became the third player in major league history to hit an inside-the-park home run in his first at bat, during a 7–3 win over the Dodgers. LeMaster hit only 21 home runs during the rest of his career (3,191 at bats).
LeMaster at bat for Pittsburgh at Shea Stadium on September 21, 1985
LeMaster is remembered for a game in July 1979, when he took the field wearing the phrase on his back that Giants fans often welcomed him with; in place of his last name was the word "BOO".[1]
In 1983, LeMaster amassed over 100 hits for the only time in his career, batting .240 and finishing seventh in the National League with 39 stolen bases while finishing third in the National League with 19 times caught stealing.
During the 1985 season, he played for three teams: the San Francisco Giants, the Cleveland Indians, and the Pittsburgh Pirates; all three teams ended up in last place in their respective divisions.[2] After retirement, in 1988, he played one season with the Senior Professional Baseball Association, on the Fort Myers Sun Sox. [3]
LeMaster was a career .222 hitter with 22 home runs and 229 runs batted in in 1039 games.
Personal life
LeMaster resides in Paintsville, Kentucky. He is a devout Christian.[citation needed] After his professional baseball career, Johnnie ran Johnnie LeMaster's Sports Center, an athletic store in Paintsville. The store has since been bought and replaced by Hibbett Sports.[citation needed]
LeMaster is a distant cousin of Frank LeMaster, who played football for the University of Kentucky and the Philadelphia Eagles.[citation needed]
