A 1960 graduate of Deshler High School, Leon lettered in four sports. He was the MVP of the basketball team, All-District in basketball, All-TVC in basketball and played in the East-West All-Star baseball game his senior year. A gifted athlete in all sports baseball was the sport in which he excelled. He turned down football and basketball scholarship offers to sign a contract with the Los Angeles Dodger organization to play baseball. After playing 10 years in both the Dodgers and White Sox minor league chains he retired in 1969 from the AAA Columbus Triplets.