Jump to content

Fred Walters

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Lepricavark (talk | contribs) at 01:37, 18 July 2023 (top: added dates to short description). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Fred Walters
Catcher
Born: (1912-09-04)September 4, 1912
Laurel, Mississippi
Died: February 1, 1980(1980-02-01) (aged 67)
Laurel, Mississippi
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 17, 1945, for the Boston Red Sox
Last MLB appearance
August 9, 1945, for the Boston Red Sox
MLB statistics
Batting average.172
Home runs0
Runs batted in5
Teams

Fred James Walters (September 4, 1912 – February 1, 1980) was a backup catcher in Major League Baseball who played briefly for the Boston Red Sox during the 1945 season. Listed at 6 feet (1.8 m) and 210 pounds (95 kg)—and nicknamed "Whale"—Walters batted and threw right-handed. He was signed by the Red Sox in 1937 out of Mississippi State University.

A native of Laurel, Mississippi, Walters was one of many players who only appeared in the majors during World War II. He was a .172 hitter (16-for-93) with two runs, two doubles, one stolen base, and five RBI without home runs in 40 games. In 38 catching appearances he posted a .993 fielding percentage (one error in 144 chances). His professional playing career extended for 11 seasons (1938–42; 1944–49). In June 1946, he abruptly became the player-manager of the Triple-A Louisville Colonels during the six-week suspension of skipper Nemo Leibold and led the squad to a sparkling 34–12 record.[1] The following season, he piloted the Double-A Birmingham Barons to the Southern Association championship.

Walters left baseball after the 1950 season, which he spent as manager of the Chattanooga Lookouts, eventually became a sheriff in Mississippi,.[1] and died in his hometown of Laurel at the age of 67.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Nowlin, Bill. "Fred Walters". Society for American Baseball Research Biography Project. Retrieved 20 January 2018.