Leap Year Day Players

The greatest ballplayer born on February 29th called Cleveland home. Al Rosen was the star 3rd baseman of the great Indians teams of the '50s. The 1953 AL MVP drove in 100 or more runs five straight years, was a four-time All-Star, and won two home run and two RBI titles. Injuries cut short a career that appeared to be on a Hall of Fame track.

But of the 15 major leaguers born on this rarest of dates, Rosen was the best of the bunch. Not far behind was a beloved Cardinal from its Gas House Gang era. Pepper Martin was the speedster atop the 1930s St. Louis batting order, three times scoring over a hundred runs, and a three-time NL leader in stolen bases. Much like Rosen, a very good player, and still beloved in his team's lore.

Yankee and Met fans, you have a name on this list as well -- and he's the same guy. Terrence Long began his major league career with the Mets and ended it with the Yankees. Probably a little hard to remember him sporting an NY on his cap -- he appeared in just three games with the '99 Mets and just a dozen with the 2006 Yankees. His best days came with the Oakland A's, where after being traded by the Amazin's for Kenny Rogers, he was the runner up for the 2000 American League Rookie of the Year.

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