Bucky Walters | |||
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Pitcher / Third baseman / Manager | |||
Born: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
April 19, 1909|||
Died: April 20, 1991 Abington, Pennsylvania |
(aged 82)|||
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MLB debut | |||
September 18, 1931, for the Boston Braves | |||
Last MLB appearance | |||
July 23, 1950, for the Boston Braves | |||
MLB statistics | |||
Win–loss record | 198–160 | ||
Earned run average | 3.30 | ||
Strikeouts | 1,107 | ||
Batting average | .243 | ||
Home runs | 23 | ||
Runs batted in | 234 | ||
Teams | |||
As player
As manager |
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Career highlights and awards | |||
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As player
As manager
William Henry "Bucky" Walters (April 19, 1909 – April 20, 1991) was an American Major League Baseball All-Star pitcher and the 1939 National League MVP. A native of Philadelphia, Walters played for the Boston Braves (1931–32, 1950), Boston Red Sox (1933–1934), Philadelphia Phillies (1934–1938) and Cincinnati Reds (1938–1948). He batted and threw right-handed.
In a 16-season career, Walters posted a 198–160 record with 1107 strikeouts and a 3.30 ERA in 3104.2 innings.
Walters started his career as a third baseman for the Boston Braves in 1931. After two seasons, he failed with the Braves but hit .376 in the Pacific Coast League to earn a shot with the Boston Red Sox in 1933.
It wasn't until Walters was purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies from the Red Sox in the 1934 midseason that he converted to pitching. Walters developed as a sinker-ball specialist, and after winning 14 games and led the National League with 34 starts in 1937, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in the 1938 midseason.
From 1939 to 1940, Walters helped the Reds to win two straight pennants, leading in each season the NL pitchers in wins, ERA, complete games and innings pitched. His most productive season came in 1939, when he won the Triple Crown with 27 victories, a 2.29 ERA, and 137 strikeouts (tied with Claude Passeau). For his performance, Walters garnered Most Valuable Player honors, the second of three straight Cincinnati players to win the award (Ernie Lombardi and Frank McCormick were the others). In 1940, Walters won 22 games and posted a 2.48 ERA.