Walter French
Career information
Position(s)	Halfback
College	Army Rutgers
Career history
As player
1923	Rochester Jeffersons
1925	Pottsville Maroons
Career highlights and awards
Collyers Eye Mag.: 1st team all-NFL (1925) NFL champion (1925) -Disputed by the NFL
Military career
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	U.S. Army (1942–1946) U.S. Air Force (1947–1959)
Years of service	1942–1959
Rank	Lieutenant colonel
Battles/wars	World War II

Walter Edward French (born July 12, 1899 – May 13, 1984), was a professional baseball player who played outfielder in the Major Leagues, for the Philadelphia Athletics, from 1923 to 1929. He won the 1929 World Series with the Athletics.

Aside from baseball, he also played football for the Rochester Jeffersons and the Pottsville Maroons of the National Football League. French was instrumental in helping the Maroons win the 1925 NFL Championship, before it was stripped from the team due to a rules violation.

From 1920-21, French attended the United States Military Academy and lettered in baseball and basketball. He also won All-American football honors during his time at the Academy. However, he did not graduate from West Point and left the Academy in the fall of 1922.

The spring of 1923, French signed with the Philadelphia Athletics, managed by Connie Mack. He was first sent down to the minor leagues to gain some professional baseball experience, however he was called up that fall and played 6 years with the Athletics as a substitute outfielder and pinch hitter. He had a .303 career batting average in the majors and made a brief appearance in the 1929 World Series against the Chicago Cubs. In 1925 he batted .370 in 67 games for the Athletics and was the top pinch hitter in the majors. Throughout his career, French also played baseball several years in the high minors, leading the Southern Association three years in hits, 1931-33. He was a good bunter and a very fast runner.

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