Appleton was an accomplished pianist and band leader but opted for a baseball career after graduating from University of Michigan. After being named the Triple-A best pitcher while playing for the Montreal Royals in 1935, he pitched for six major league clubs, including two stints with Washington Senators, from 1927 through 1945. His most productive season came in 1936 with Washington, when he posted career highs in wins (14), strikeouts (77), earned run average (3.53), starts (20), and innings pitched (201.2). Appleton died in Trenton, New Jersey, at the age of 69.