Bucky Walters – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

William Henry “Bucky” Walters built one of baseball’s most unusual careers. He started out as a struggling third baseman, then reinvented himself as one of the National League’s top pitchers before hanging up his cleats in 1950. His journey from Philadelphia sandlots during the Great Depression to becoming a six-time All-Star and National League MVP is honestly a wild story about adaptation and grit in pro baseball.

Walters did what very few players ever manage—he excelled at more than one position and became the best pitcher in baseball during his peak years, especially from 1939 to 1940. He broke into the majors in 1931 as a position player and got into 184 games at third base before switching to the mound, which would end up defining his career. Managers noticed his strong arm and versatility, thinking he could offer more than just what he showed at the plate.

His career story covers early struggles in Boston, a big change to pitching in Philadelphia, and his rise to stardom with the Cincinnati Reds. He helped the Reds win their first World Series championship since that infamous 1919 series. Walters’ path through baseball in the 1930s and 1940s gives you a look at how players adapted just to survive and, sometimes, thrive in a tough era for the sport.

Early Life and Entry Into Baseball

William Henry “Bucky” Walters Jr. was born in Philadelphia on April 19, 1909, into a baseball-loving family. His dad’s involvement in company baseball sparked an early love for the game. Walters’ journey from dropping out of high school to professional baseball started with sandlot games and a lucky meeting with a scout who saw something in him.

Childhood and Family Background

Bucky Walters grew up in the Mount Airy section of Germantown, Philadelphia. He was the oldest of seven kids born to Mildred and William Henry Walters Sr.

His family had deep Pennsylvania roots. Walters’ ancestors arrived in the Philadelphia area not long after William Penn founded the colony. The family name actually used to be “Walter” before they added the “s.”

His dad, also called “Bucky,” worked for Bell Telephone Company and played on the company baseball team. Young Bucky started out as the team mascot and swung a bat for the first time at age six.

Baseball ran through the family. His brother Jack played in the Cincinnati organization and made it to Tulsa in the Texas League, but military service during the Korean War cut that career short.

Amateur and Minor League Beginnings

Walters left Germantown High School in his sophomore year to become an electrician. He didn’t finish school, but baseball was just getting started for him.

He caught a break during a sandlot game, when a scout—either Roy Ellum or Howard Lohr, depending on who you ask—approached him about playing professionally.

The scout asked if he wanted to play pro baseball. Walters later said he gave “the quickest ‘Yes sir’ anybody ever heard.” He only had enough cash for a one-way ticket to Montgomery, Alabama.

His grandmother chipped in for his dream. She “dug up $10 from somewhere” so he could buy his first suitcase. That little bit of help turned out to be crucial for his future.

Transition to Professional Baseball

Montgomery never actually offered him a contract. Instead, he ended up in High Point, North Carolina, in the Piedmont League in 1929. That’s where his pro career really began.

At High Point, he played both pitcher and infielder. His bat looked better than his pitching arm—he hit .300 but finished with a 5-6 record and a 5.29 ERA.

In 1930, Walters bounced around three different teams in three leagues. He started with Providence in the Eastern League, then moved to Portland in the New England League. When that league folded, he landed with Williamsport in the New York-Pennsylvania League.

His 1931 season at Williamsport got him noticed. He batted .326 and led all third basemen in putouts, assists, and errors. That performance earned him promotions to Nashville in the Southern League and then a spot with the Boston Braves.

Influence of Early Managers

Walters made his major league debut with the Boston Braves on September 18, 1931, at just 22 years old. He struggled at first, hitting .211 in 9 games and then .187 in 22 games the next season.

After things didn’t work out with the Braves, he was sold to the San Francisco Missions in 1933. There, he found his swing, batting .376 in 91 games and making just 8 errors at third base.

His switch from third base to pitcher happened later, with the Philadelphia Phillies. Manager Jimmy Wilson and coaches Hans Lobert and Dick Spalding pushed him toward pitching during spring training in 1935. Walters admitted he was hesitant—”I liked to play every day,” he said—but their advice changed his future.

The coaches saw something special in him as a pitcher. Walters finally agreed to give pitching a real shot, and that decision set him up for his eventual dominance in the National League.

Position Changes and Versatility

Bucky Walters pulled off one of baseball’s wildest transformations, going from third baseman to pitcher in the middle of his career. He played all over the infield and even tried the outfield before he found his real place on the mound. Not many players have shown that kind of athletic flexibility.

Third Baseman to Pitcher

Walters started his MLB career in 1931 as a third baseman for the Boston Braves. He had trouble hitting in those early years, with batting averages that made his future in the majors look shaky.

His move to pitching started slowly in 1934 with the Philadelphia Phillies. The team liked his strong arm and encouraged him to work on his pitching while still playing infield.

By 1935, Walters went all-in on pitching. After joining the Cincinnati Reds in 1938, he posted an 11-6 record with a 4.07 ERA.

The switch paid off. In 1939, he took home the National League MVP award with a 27-11 record and a 2.29 ERA. That career change put him among the league’s best pitchers.

Roles in the Infield and Outfield

Before he became known for pitching, Walters played all over the field. He showed up in 184 games as a third baseman, starting 177 of those.

He also spent time at second base and sometimes in the outfield, including left field and center field. His defensive flexibility made him valuable to teams that needed players who could move around.

His infield experience helped him as a pitcher. Knowing how hitters think from different spots on the field made him smarter about pitch selection and strategy.

Both the Phillies and the Boston Red Sox used him in different positions. That kind of flexibility was more common back in the 1930s when teams had smaller rosters.

Notable Batting and Fielding Achievements

Even after he became a pitcher, Walters could still swing the bat. He collected a bunch of doubles and had more power than most pitchers.

His fielding as a third baseman was solid, if not exactly gold-glove level. He had reliable hands and decent range at third during his infield days.

When he pitched, Walters sometimes came through with the bat in big moments. His background as a hitter gave him an edge over most pitchers at the plate.

He finished his career with a 198-160 pitching record, which kind of overshadowed his early position-player stats. Still, his versatility definitely helped his baseball smarts and success on the mound.

Major League Career Highlights

Bucky Walters played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1931 to 1950. He started out as a third baseman, then turned into one of the era’s most dominant pitchers. He played for three teams, but his best years came after a big trade to Cincinnati.

Boston Red Sox Years

Walters actually started his pro career with the Boston Braves in 1931, not the Red Sox. He debuted on September 17, 1931, at age 22.

From 1931 to 1934, he mostly played third base in Boston. He appeared in 184 games as a position player, starting 177 of them at third.

He showed some promise but had trouble finding his groove. His hitting and defense were okay, but nothing special.

Boston didn’t use Walters much as a pitcher in those early days. They liked his arm but hadn’t decided to make him a full-time pitcher yet.

His time in Boston set the stage for what came next. Playing all those different positions helped him later in his career.

Philadelphia Phillies Tenure

The Phillies picked up Walters in 1934, and he spent four seasons there until 1938. During part of that time, the Phillies played home games at Baker Bowl.

In Philadelphia, Walters kept splitting time between third base and pitching. The Phillies gave him more chances to pitch than Boston ever did.

He really started to develop as a pitcher in Philly. Walters worked on his curveball and got much better at controlling his pitches.

Manager Jimmy Wilson played a big part in that. Wilson saw the potential in Walters’ arm and encouraged him to focus on pitching.

By 1937, Walters made his first All-Star team. He led the league in complete game shutouts that year, even though he also led in losses.

Trade to Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds traded for Walters in June 1938, a move that would change his career. The deal sent Al Hollingsworth and Johnny Vergez, among others, the other way.

Walters joined a rotation with Paul Derringer. Together, they became one of baseball’s best pitching duos.

His first full year in Cincinnati (1939) was incredible. Walters won the National League MVP Award and took the pitching triple crown with 27 wins, a 2.29 ERA, and 137 strikeouts.

That same year, Walters also hit .325, making him one of the rare pitchers to win 20 games and hit .300 in a season. He was named The Sporting News All-Around Player.

Walters led the Reds to the World Series in 1939 and 1940. Cincinnati won its first championship since 1919 in 1940, and Walters pitched two complete games—including a shutout.

From 1939 to 1944, his MVP vote totals put him third behind Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams. He won 121 games in that stretch, twenty more than any other pitcher.

Peak Performance and Achievements

Bucky Walters hit his peak in the late 1930s and early 1940s, becoming one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. His 1939 season really stands out—a true masterpiece that earned him the pitching Triple Crown and National League MVP.

1939 Season and Pitching Triple Crown

Walters’ 1939 season is honestly one of the best pitching years ever. He won the pitching Triple Crown by leading the National League in three big categories.

Triple Crown Statistics:

• Wins: 27
• ERA: 2.29
• Strikeouts: 137 (tied with Claude Passeau)

With 27 wins, Walters was the ace of a Reds team that won 97 games. His 2.29 ERA was almost a full run better than the league average.

He also led the league in complete games and innings pitched that year. Walters threw 319 innings over 36 starts, which is just wild by today’s standards.

That Triple Crown put Walters in a pretty exclusive club. Not many pitchers have pulled that off in MLB history.

National League Dominance

From 1939 through 1944, Walters just dominated National League hitters. He led the league in wins three times during that stretch.

Here’s what he did in his peak years:

• 1939: 27 wins, 2.29 ERA
• 1940: 22 wins, 2.48 ERA
• 1944: 23 wins, 2.40 ERA

He helped the Reds win back-to-back NL pennants in 1939 and 1940. In those two seasons, Walters went 49-21 with a 2.38 ERA.

The 1940 World Series was a showcase for Walters. He won two games against the Detroit Tigers, including a shutout in Game 6 that basically sealed the championship for Cincinnati.

All-Star Selections and MVP Voting

Walters picked up six All-Star selections over his career, showing up in the midsummer classic in 1937, then again from 1939 to 1942, and once more in 1944.

People recognized his steady excellence, and he stood out as one of the National League’s best pitchers.

He took home the 1939 MVP award, making him the second in a run of three straight Cincinnati players to win it.

Ernie Lombardi grabbed the honor in 1938, then Walters in 1939, and Frank McCormick followed in 1940.

Walters landed third in MVP voting in 1940, even though he had a strong season.

His 22 wins and 2.48 ERA played a big part in helping the Reds win their second straight pennant.

Back then, pitchers almost never won the MVP award, so Walters’ recognition really meant something.

People saw his selection as proof of his impact on the Reds and his place among baseball’s top players.

World Series Appearances and Legacy

Bucky Walters pitched in two World Series with the Cincinnati Reds.

He put together a 2-2 record and a 2.79 ERA across four appearances.

His best moment came in 1940 when he helped bring Cincinnati its first championship in 21 years.

1939 World Series vs. New York Yankees

The Cincinnati Reds made it to the 1939 World Series thanks in large part to Walters’ 27-11 record and 2.29 ERA.

He faced a powerhouse Yankees team with Joe DiMaggio and a roster that had already taken three straight championships.

Walters started Game 2 at Yankee Stadium, but he struggled against their loaded lineup.

The Yankees jumped on him early, and he took the loss in a 4-0 game.

New York swept Cincinnati in four games, ending the series quickly.

Even though the finish was rough, Walters’ regular season showed he belonged among the game’s best pitchers.

His World Series debut gave him experience that would matter a lot the next year.

1940 World Series Victory

Walters took over in the 1940 World Series against the Detroit Tigers, throwing two complete games with a 1.50 ERA.

He won Game 3 with a solid outing at Tiger Stadium.

His biggest moment came in Game 6 at Cincinnati’s Crosley Field.

With the Reds on the brink, Walters pitched a complete game shutout and forced a Game 7.

Game	Result	IP	H	ER	ERA
Game 3	W, 4-2	9.0	8	2	2.00
Game 6	W, 4-0	9.0	5	0	0.00

The Reds took the series in seven games and finally grabbed their first championship since 1919.

Walters’ clutch pitching in those do-or-die games made all the difference.

Postseason Contributions

Walters finished his World Series run with 18 innings pitched and 12 strikeouts over both appearances.

His 2.79 ERA showed he could handle the pressure against top teams.

Beyond the numbers, Walters led Cincinnati’s pitching staff through both championship runs.

He had played as both a position player and a pitcher, and that experience gave him insights that helped his teammates.

The 1940 championship became the high point of Walters’ career and locked him in as a Reds legend.

His performance in that series still stands out as one of the best by any Cincinnati pitcher in the postseason.

Walters’ World Series story really shows how he went from a struggling infielder to one of the most dependable pitchers of his era.

Recognition, Later Life, and Retirement

Bucky Walters spent his final years in Major League Baseball dealing with a drop in performance.

Still, people kept recognizing his earlier achievements.

His post-playing career stayed tied to baseball, and even decades later, folks would talk about him for the sport’s highest honors.

Final Years in Major League Baseball

Walters started winding down his career in the late 1940s as age caught up with him.

By 1949, at 40 years old, he had 198 career wins but just couldn’t hit the 200-win milestone.

He tried seven times in 1949 and once more in 1950, but those last two wins never came.

His last game happened on July 23, 1950, when he pitched four innings in relief for the Boston Braves against St. Louis at age 41.

Walters made a comeback attempt with the Boston Braves in 1950.

He only managed one game in relief before calling it quits from Major League Baseball.

His final stats showed a 198-160 record, a 3.30 ERA, and 42 shutouts over 16 seasons.

If you count his two World Series wins in 1940, Walters technically reached 200 career victories.

Consideration for Baseball Hall of Fame

Walters’ impressive career kept him in the conversation for baseball’s highest honor at Cooperstown.

His grandson, Jeffrey Walters, started advocating for his Hall of Fame case in the early 2000s.

Walters made the list as one of 10 finalists on the Pre-Integration Committee ballot at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

He had a strong case, thanks in part to three hypothetical Cy Young Awards for the 1939, 1940, and 1944 seasons.

Total Baseball points out that every retired pitcher with three or more official Cy Young Awards has made the Hall of Fame.

Walters’ peak from 1939 to 1940 established him as “the premier pitcher in baseball” at that time.

His six All-Star nods and the 1939 National League MVP award add to his resume.

From 1939 to 1944, his MVP voting put him first among pitchers and third overall, just behind Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams.

Life After Playing Career

Walters stayed deeply involved in baseball after he hung up his cleats. From 1949 through 1958, he took on roles as a major league manager, a minor league manager, and a coach.

He stepped away from active baseball roles in 1958, but honestly, he never really left the game behind. In the 1960s, Walters worked as a supervisor and scout for the Philadelphia Phillies Farm System.

He really just couldn’t shake his dedication to baseball. Walters once admitted, “My only regret was not playing every day,” which says a lot about how much he loved the game.

Later in life, Walters got involved in promoting baseball and pushing for better player representation. He played a big part in launching the first pension plan for players, and he helped start the Major League Baseball Players Association.