Leroy “Pro” Nelson
2000
All Around
West Reading High School graduate (1947). Earned 16 varsity letters in football, basketball, swimming, and track. Named top Berks High School athlete (1947). Played Legion baseball for Laureldale. Signed professional contract with the Cleveland Indians. West Reading football team was 7-1, losing the last game to North Coventry, 26-19, when Nelson was sidelined due to a broken nose suffered in 33-0 Cowboy win over Wyomissing (1946). Stricken with MS at age 23, a number of benefits were held to help defray his medical costs. West Reading athletic director John Shaner noted at the time, “Nelson was an outstanding, clean-cut athlete. It is a shame his career was cut short by illness.” He once pitched a no-hitter for Clover Farms in the City Industrial League, blanking the 18th Ward Democrats 8-0.
Deceased
Inducted Posthumously