He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1903 to 1919 for the New York Giants, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, and Philadelphia Phillies.

Born in Warren, Ohio, Ames was a third or fourth starter for the New York Giants during their early period of dominance under John McGraw.

He made his debut on September 14, 1903, pitching an abbreviated five-inning no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals (the game was called due to darkness),[1] but was not in the rotation full-time until 1905, when his 22 wins and 2.74 ERA helped the Giants to their first twentieth-century world championship.

This was by far his best season; although the Giants were perennial contenders during this time, injury and wildness kept him from becoming a star even though he was the Opening Day pitcher three years running.

His son, Leon Kessling "Red" Ames Jr., played for Ohio State in 1927 and then in the farm system of the Pittsburgh Pirates for several years.