The Leader Barons were once a baseball powerhouse and team member Randy Trautwein of Leader will be inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame, Individual Category, as a Player, on Saturday, Aug. 18 in Battleford.
Trautwein was born in Leader on July 12, 1954. He moved through the minor baseball ranks under the guidance and coaching of Ken Frey, who was instrumental in the development of Trautwein as a fine young baseball player.
At the tender young age of 15, Trautwein cracked one of the most elite lineups in the history of the SaskAlta League, the Leader Barons, a baseball powerhouse in the 1960s, ‘70s and into the ‘80s.
Possessing a strong arm, Trautwein was a gifted left-handed pitcher who gained respect for his pitching prowess.
He also played first base and was a natural outfielder.
He had a smooth, natural swing as a right-handed batter and when it came to turning leads, it was Trautwein’s ability to hit home runs and line drives that would gap the outfield. These were his trade mark.
He rounded out his career with a .370 batting average and 71 home runs.
Being an all around athlete, Trautwein was also active in hockey as a goaltender. From hockey, he quickly gained notoriety as a formidable curling competitor.
Trautwein and Patty, who continue to call Leader their home, have two daughters and are proud grandparents of four grandchildren.
