Danny Walton – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Danny Walton’s name might not show up in baseball’s Hall of Fame, but his journey through Major League Baseball is a pretty compelling story about perseverance and raw talent during one of the sport’s most dynamic eras. The outfielder from Los Angeles managed to carve out a respectable nine-year career that stretched from 1968 to 1980, playing for seven different teams in both leagues.

Walton wrapped up his professional baseball career in 1980 after his final season with the Texas Rangers. By the end, he hit 28 home runs and drove in 107 runs across 297 games.

What makes Walton’s story stand out? He navigated the changing landscape of baseball in the 1970s, bouncing between franchises and even heading to Japan to play with the Yokohama Taiyo Whales. His career overlapped with some big shifts in the sport, from expansion teams like the Seattle Pilots to the early days of free agency.

He started as a promising prospect, drafted by the Houston Astros, and ended his journey more than a decade later. Walton experienced both the highs and the challenges that defined baseball during this transformative period.

Looking at Walton’s career, you see more than just stats and trades. His personal determination kept him competing at the highest level for over a decade. His story gives us a glimpse into what life was like for a journeyman player as baseball moved from the old reserve clause era into the modern game.

Early Life and Background

Daniel James Walton was born on July 14, 1947, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in Southern California during the 1950s and 1960s.

His family environment and a growing passion for baseball shaped his early years. Eventually, he landed at Bishop Amat Memorial High School, where he honed his skills as a standout player.

Family and Childhood

Daniel James Walton entered the world in Los Angeles on July 14, 1947. He spent his childhood in Southern California during the post-World War II boom years.

Growing up in Los Angeles gave Walton access to a vibrant baseball culture. The Dodgers had just moved from Brooklyn in 1958, and Walton was eleven at the time.

Not much is publicly known about Walton’s family background or what his parents did for work. Still, living in Los Angeles gave him year-round chances to play baseball.

The warm California climate helped Walton develop his skills all year. That was a big edge in his baseball development.

High School and Amateur Baseball

Walton attended Bishop Amat Memorial High School, a Catholic prep school in La Puente, California. The school featured a strong athletic program that helped him develop as a baseball player.

He played as an outfielder at Bishop Amat and showed off the skills that would catch the eyes of professional scouts. His high school performance made him a legit MLB draft candidate.

The Houston Astros picked Walton in the 10th round of the 1965 MLB draft, making him the 192nd overall pick. That came right after he graduated high school.

Getting drafted in the 10th round meant scouts saw Walton as a solid prospect with some upside. But it also meant he would need to prove himself in the minors before making it to the big leagues.

Professional Baseball Career

Danny Walton played nine seasons in Major League Baseball from 1968 to 1980, bouncing between eight different teams. He put together a .223 batting average with 28 home runs and 107 RBIs across 297 games, and he became known as a journeyman outfielder.

MLB Debut with Houston Astros

The Houston Astros picked Walton in the 10th round of the 1965 MLB draft. He was the 192nd overall pick after playing at Bishop Amat Memorial High School in Los Angeles.

He made his MLB debut on April 20, 1968, suiting up for the Houston Astros. During his playing days, he batted and threw right-handed, stood 6 feet tall, and weighed 200 pounds.

Walton’s first stint with Houston was brief in 1968. He later returned to the Astros organization in 1977 for another shot with his original team.

The young outfielder showed some promise early on. His time with Houston laid the groundwork for what would become a lengthy career across multiple franchises.

Seattle Pilots and Milwaukee Brewers Years

Walton’s career took a big turn on August 31, 1969. The Houston Astros traded him and Sandy Valdespino to the Seattle Pilots for Tommy Davis. That trade kicked off his most stable period in the majors.

When the Seattle Pilots moved and became the Milwaukee Brewers, Walton went along with the franchise. He played for Milwaukee from 1969 through 1971, which was his longest stint with any team.

During his Milwaukee days, Walton became pretty popular with fans in the left field bleachers at Milwaukee County Stadium. His connection with the fanbase made him a familiar face in the Brewers’ early years.

One performance stands out from the 1970 season. Walton hit a bases-loaded double that drove in three runs, helping the Brewers rally from a 3-0 deficit in the eighth inning to beat the Cleveland Indians 4-3.

New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins Stints

On June 7, 1971, the Milwaukee Brewers traded Walton to the New York Yankees for Bobby Mitchell and Frank Tepedino. His time in New York was pretty short.

Walton played out the 1971 season with the Yankees. The team then traded him to the Minnesota Twins on October 31, 1972, for Rick Dempsey.

He suited up for the Minnesota Twins during the 1973 and 1975 seasons. That meant Walton had more than one stint with the same franchise, which is a little unusual.

In Minnesota, Walton showed he could adapt to different teams. Even with gaps in his Twins tenure, he stayed a reliable outfield option.

Los Angeles Dodgers and Return to Houston Astros

Walton joined the Los Angeles Dodgers for the 1976 season, bringing him back to his California roots. That was another chapter in his long journey through several franchises.

After a year with the Dodgers, Walton returned to the Houston Astros in 1977. That homecoming let him play for his original team once more.

He then spent the 1978 season playing for the Yokohama Taiyo Whales in Japan. That international experience added another dimension to his baseball story.

Walton made his final MLB appearance on June 6, 1980, playing for the Texas Rangers. That marked the end of his nine-year major league career at age 33.

Final Playing Years and Retirement

Danny Walton finished his professional baseball career with a short stint on the Texas Rangers in 1980. That final season closed out a 12-year journey that started in 1968 with the Houston Astros.

Time with Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers signed Danny Walton on April 6, 1980. That gave the veteran outfielder one last shot in Major League Baseball.

Walton’s time with the Rangers was brief. He played his last big league game on June 6, 1980, wrapping up his MLB career after parts of nine seasons over 12 years.

The Rangers traded Walton and Greg Mahlberg to the Cincinnati Reds for Don Werner and Greg Hughes on December 15, 1980. By then, his playing days had already ended.

Minor League and Overseas Experiences

After leaving the majors, Walton didn’t spend much time in the minors or overseas. Public records don’t show much about any later playing experience.

He appeared in 297 major league games total. In those games, he hit 28 home runs and posted a .223 batting average with 107 RBIs.

By 1980, Walton shifted away from active playing. His career had spanned the move from the Seattle Pilots to the Milwaukee Brewers and included stops in Houston, New York, Minnesota, and Los Angeles.

Retirement from Professional Baseball

Danny Walton officially retired from pro baseball in 1980 at age 33. That wrapped up a career that began when the Houston Astros picked him in the 10th round of the 1965 MLB draft.

After retiring, Walton stepped away from the baseball spotlight. He eventually settled in Morgan, Utah, where he lived until his death on August 9, 2017, at age 70.

His post-baseball life stayed mostly private. Walton had been born in Los Angeles on July 14, 1947, and attended Bishop Amat Memorial High School before starting his pro career.

Playing Style and Achievements

Danny Walton earned a reputation as a power hitter with solid home run production throughout his 13-season career. His versatility in the outfield and as a designated hitter made him a useful piece for several teams from 1968 to 1980.

Batting Power and Home Runs

Walton’s biggest asset was his ability to hit for power, even though his batting average was on the lower side. He racked up 28 home runs over his 297-game Major League career while batting .223.

His power was even more obvious in the minor leagues. In 1969, he led the American Association with 25 home runs and 119 RBIs while playing for the Oklahoma City 89ers.

He had his best minor league season in 1977, dominating the Pacific Coast League. Walton led the league with 42 home runs, 122 RBIs, and 117 runs scored.

One of his top MLB moments came with the Milwaukee Brewers. Down 3-0 in the eighth inning against the Indians, Walton ripped a bases-loaded double to drive in three runs and help the Brewers win 4-3.

Defensive Positions Played

Walton played mostly as an outfielder during his career. He showed enough versatility to earn playing time with seven different Major League teams.

His defensive skills let him fit into different team needs. The Texas Rangers used him as a designated hitter in his final season in 1980.

Walton appeared in 10 games during that 1980 campaign with Texas. That flexibility helped him stick around the league for more than a decade.

His defense wasn’t spectacular, but it was good enough to keep him in pro baseball for 13 seasons. Teams valued his bat-first approach and decent fielding.

Awards and Honors

Walton’s biggest recognition came in 1969, when he earned Minor League Player of the Year honors. He picked up that award while playing for the Oklahoma City 89ers in the American Association.

That season, he led the league in several offensive categories. His 25 home runs and 119 RBIs turned him into a top prospect.

Even with his minor league success, Walton never made a Major League All-Star team. His career batting average and limited playing time kept him from reaching that level.

In 1979, he led the Pacific Coast League with 39 doubles, showing he could still produce in the minors late in his career.

Legacy and Impact

Danny Walton made his mark on baseball with his outstanding minor league achievements and some memorable major league moments. His 1969 Minor League Player of the Year award remains unmatched in Oklahoma City baseball history, and his clutch performances with teams like the Milwaukee Brewers created lasting memories for fans and teammates.

Minor League Legend Status

Walton’s greatest baseball achievement happened in 1969 when The Sporting News named him Minor League Player of the Year. Playing for the Oklahoma City 89ers, he posted impressive numbers with 25 home runs, a .332 batting average, and 119 RBIs.

That honor made him the only player in Oklahoma City’s long professional baseball history to win this prestigious award. His performance that season stood out among hundreds of minor league players across the country.

During his 16-year professional career, Walton hit 238 home runs in the minor leagues. That total shows just how much power he brought to the game, even when he wasn’t in the majors.

Major League Reputation

Walton played 297 major league games over nine seasons with seven different teams. He really made his mark with the Milwaukee Brewers, delivering a bases-loaded double that drove in three runs during a clutch comeback against the Cleveland Indians.

The Brewers trailed 3-0 in the eighth inning. Then, they rallied for four runs and pulled off a 4-3 win. Walton’s big hit sparked the turnaround and gave fans something to remember.

He finished his major league career with a .223 batting average, 28 home runs, and 107 RBIs. Honestly, those numbers show just how tough it can be to move up from minor league success to the majors.

Influence on Teammates and Fans

Walton moved through several organizations, like the Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers. By bouncing around, he influenced teammates in different clubhouses.

Younger players probably looked up to his story, especially those grinding away in the minors. I imagine Walton’s work ethic made an impression.

After he retired in 1980, Walton switched gears and became a welder. He took that same dedication from the diamond to his new career.

Fans who watched that Brewers comeback still talk about his clutch performance. Walton’s knack for delivering under pressure made him a solid teammate throughout his career.

Personal Life After Baseball

Daniel James Walton left professional baseball after his final season with the Texas Rangers in 1980. He eventually settled down in Morgan, Utah, where he lived until he passed away in 2017.

Post-Retirement Career and Family

Once he retired from Major League Baseball, Walton faded from the spotlight. He moved to Morgan, Utah, a small town up north.

Career Details:

• Final MLB appearance: June 6, 1980
• Retirement location: Morgan, Utah
• Career span: 1968-1980 (with breaks)

Not much public information is out there about Walton’s life after baseball or any business ventures he took on. Back then, plenty of former players went into coaching, business, or just regular jobs after their playing days ended.

Walton kept a pretty low profile during retirement. Unlike some guys who stuck around the game as coaches or broadcasters, he seemed to step away completely.

Details about his family, like whether he married or had kids, aren’t widely available. That kind of privacy was pretty normal for players from his era, who usually kept their personal lives out of the spotlight.

Later Years and Passing

Walton spent his last decades living quietly in Morgan, Utah. He settled there for good, far away from the big league cities where he once played.

The small Utah town became his home during retirement. He seemed to enjoy the slower pace and privacy.

Final Years:

• Birth date: July 14, 1947 (Los Angeles, California)
• Death date: August 9, 2017 (Morgan, Utah)
• Age at death: 70 years old

Daniel James Walton died on August 9, 2017, in Morgan, Utah. He was 70.

His death ended a journey that started in Los Angeles, ran through major league stadiums all over the country, and eventually led him to a quiet life in rural Utah.

People didn’t talk much about the circumstances of his passing. That kind of fit the private way he lived after baseball.

Baseball historians and fans noticed when he died. They remembered what he brought to the game in the late 1960s and 1970s.