Leonard Eugene Alley (born July 10, 1940) is an American former professional baseball player.

[2] Alley had hoped to receive a basketball scholarship to attend the University of Virginia, but the sum offered was insufficient.

[3][1] Alley was a modest hitter, with some strong years, but an exceptionally steady shortstop with good range and an accurate throwing arm.

He had a .287 batting average (his highest in the minor leagues) with 15 home runs, and a .922 fielding percentage at shortstop, his principal position with Dubuque.

[9] The Pirates as a team turned 215 double plays, the second most in baseball history after the record 217 set by the 1949 Philadelphia Athletics (as of 2023).

They also joined a select list of eight shortstop-second baseman duos to each win a Gold Glove the same season more than once while playing together.

Alley developed a sore throwing arm shortly before the 1967 All-Star Game that never fully healed.

[1] He originally injured his knee in 1969 when he suffered a collision on a play while covering first base in a game against the Houston Astros, leading to multiple surgeries.

[3] A knee injury suffered late in the 1971 season subsequently required surgery, and limited his participation in the 1971 postseason playoffs and World Series.

With the bases loaded, facing Carl Morton, Alley hit a line drive which landed in front of center fielder Boots Day, who slipped on the wet grass.