Fred Walters
Fred Walters | |
---|---|
Catcher | |
Born: Laurel, Mississippi | September 4, 1912|
Died: February 1, 1980 Laurel, Mississippi | (aged 67)|
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 runs | 0 |
Runs batted in | 5 |
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
- ^ a b Nowlin, Bill. "Fred Walters". Society for American Baseball Research Biography Project. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
External links
- 1912 births
- 1980 deaths
- Baseball players from Mississippi
- Birmingham Barons managers
- Birmingham Barons players
- Boston Red Sox players
- Chattanooga Lookouts managers
- Chattanooga Lookouts players
- Little Rock Travelers players
- Louisville Colonels (minor league) managers
- Louisville Colonels (minor league) players
- Major League Baseball catchers
- Mississippi State Bulldogs baseball players
- Montreal Royals players
- New Orleans Pelicans (baseball) players
- People from Laurel, Mississippi
- Rocky Mount Red Sox players
- San Antonio Missions players
- Scranton Red Sox players
- American baseball catcher, 1910s birth stubs