Murray Wall – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Murray Wall walked away from professional baseball in 1959, ending a nearly decade-long run in the majors. He started out as a college star and found his way onto three big league teams.

A right-handed pitcher from Dallas, Wall carved out a solid spot as a dependable middle reliever. He pitched for the Boston Braves, Boston Red Sox, and Washington Senators.

Wall finished with a career record of 13 wins and 14 losses, and a 4.20 ERA in 91 major league games. He took the mound in relief for all but one of those games. People still remember his college days at the University of Texas, where he helped the Longhorns win back-to-back College World Series championships in 1949 and 1950.

From his early days as a top college recruit to his final season in 1959, Wall’s journey shows both the struggles and the good moments of pro baseball in the 1950s. He got caught up in notable trades, built relationships with teammates, and showed the kind of dedication it took to stick around in the majors when relief pitching was still a new thing.

Early Life and Education

Murray Wesley Wall was born September 19, 1926, in Dallas, Texas, to George Wesley Wall and Mary Mae Havens. He started out playing Texas high school baseball and then moved up to college stardom, which set the stage for his pro career.

Family Background

Murray grew up in a working-class Dallas family during the Great Depression. His dad, George Wesley Wall, worked as a motorman for the Dallas streetcars and later became a bus driver.

The family included Murray and his brother Wallace. By 1940, his mom Mary was listed as the head of the household, working in the advertising department of a paper bag company.

The 1940 census shows that George Wall had left the family by then. He remarried later, to a woman named Ernestine, and passed away in 1981.

Woodrow Wilson High School Experience

Wall went to Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, though his baseball career there started off slow. He didn’t make much of an impact on the team during his first two years.

“I was just an ordinary pitcher in high school my first two years,” Wall once said. “In fact, I didn’t win my letter until I was a senior.”

His senior year really changed things for him. He finally earned his varsity letter and started to show the kind of potential that would catch the eyes of college scouts.

Military Service in the Navy

After high school, Wall enlisted in the United States Navy in October 1944. He served for almost two years during the last stretch of World War II.

Wall’s time in the Navy lasted until June 1946. That experience gave him discipline and maturity, which later helped him on the baseball field.

He returned to civilian life just as many young men were using the G.I. Bill to go to college.

University of Texas Baseball Career

Wall started at the University of Texas at Austin on a baseball scholarship after leaving the Navy. He studied business administration and pitched for coach Bibb Falk.

Wall always credited Falk as a big influence on his growth as a pitcher. He also trained as an accountant during his college years.

His college career peaked in 1949 and 1950. Wall made the All-America team both years, helping Texas win two straight College World Series titles.

The Longhorns beat Wake Forest in 1949 and Washington State in 1950. Wall’s record in Southwest Conference play in 1950 was eye-popping: 21-3 with a 2.02 ERA.

Wall tried basketball at Texas for a bit, but he broke his jaw in two places during a rebound. That injury, which needed 16 stitches, convinced him to stick with baseball.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Murray Wall’s pro baseball career lasted almost a decade and took him through several levels of organized ball. He went straight from a major league debut with the Boston Braves in 1950 to plenty of minor league time before coming back to the majors with the Boston Red Sox in 1957.

Major League Baseball Debut with Boston Braves

Wall signed with the Boston Braves in June 1950, right after winning the College World Series with Texas. The Braves gave him a direct shot at the majors, which sounded a lot better than working his way up through the minors.

He made his debut on July 4, 1950, at Philadelphia’s Shibe Park. Wall came into the game in the fifth inning with the Braves already down 9-0. He gave up five runs in four innings, but still managed to impress the coaches.

Manager Billy Southworth said after the game:

• “You bet he did all right. I liked his poise but most of all his control.”
• “He’s getting the ball in there and that’s what counts.”

Henry McKenna of The Boston Herald pointed out Wall’s calmness for a rookie with no minor league experience. Wall stayed with the Braves for two more weeks before they sent him to their Triple-A team in Milwaukee on July 19.

Minor League Development with Milwaukee Brewers

Wall started his minor league career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1950. He pitched in 13 games and went 2-5 with a 3.91 ERA. That performance earned him a spot on championship teams for two straight seasons.

He really broke out in 1951 and 1952 with the Brewers. Wall put up records of 15-5 (4.30 ERA) and 16-10 (4.08 ERA). The Brewers won the American Association pennant both years, though they lost late in the playoffs.

Wall played winter ball in Puerto Rico between seasons, the only non-Latino on the Santurce club. When the Braves moved to Milwaukee in 1953, Wall spent time with Toledo and Atlanta in their farm system.

Key Minor League Stats:

• 1951-1952: Combined 31-15 record with Milwaukee
• 1955: 12-14 with Atlanta Crackers (243 innings pitched)
• 1956-1957: 16-7 with Dallas Eagles both years

Return to Major Leagues with Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox bought Wall’s contract from the Dallas Eagles on August 1, 1957, for about $25,000. He’d just finished a great season, posting a 1.79 ERA and throwing nine no-hit innings in July.

Wall showed up at Boston’s Hotel Kenmore and made it to Fenway Park just in time to see a Red Sox win. He got his first chance to pitch on August 4 against the Chicago White Sox, but struggled in that outing.

He found his footing quickly with the Red Sox. Wall picked up his first major league win on September 2 against Washington and ended the 1957 season 3-0 with a 3.33 ERA in 11 games.

In 1958, Wall pitched in 52 games and posted a 3.62 ERA, which was better than the team’s average. He made his only major league start on June 11 in a doubleheader against Detroit, but took the loss that day.

Trade and Short Stint with Washington Senators

Wall’s 1959 season started off rough with the Red Sox. He had a 5.40 ERA in his first 15 games. On June 11, Boston traded him to the Washington Senators along with infielder Billy Consolo for pitcher Dick Hyde and second baseman Herb Plews.

He barely spent any time with Washington. Wall pitched just 1⅓ innings on June 13 before the trade fell apart on June 14. The Red Sox found out Hyde had a sore arm, so both teams took their players back.

Final MLB Stats:

• Games: 91 (90 in relief, 1 start)
• Record: 13-14 with 4.20 ERA
• Strikeouts: 82 in 193 innings
• Saves: 13

Wall finished 1959 with Boston before heading to Minneapolis. He wrapped up his major league career with a 5.54 ERA that last season, calling it quits at age 32.

Major League Performance and Key Statistics

Murray Wall played four years in the majors between 1950 and 1959 and finished with a 13-14 record and a 4.20 ERA in 91 games. His best stretch came in 1958 when he became a steady relief pitcher for the Red Sox, notching 13 saves in 52 games.

Win-Loss Record and ERA

Wall ended his MLB career with a 13-14 record and a 4.20 ERA over 193 innings. In 1958, he posted an 8-9 record and a 3.62 ERA in 52 games for Boston.

He really found his groove as a reliever in 1957, going 3-0 with a 3.33 ERA in 11 games. That year, he improved his strikeout-to-walk ratio to 6.50.

Things got tougher in 1959. Wall battled command problems and wound up with a 5.54 ERA for Boston and Washington. His WHIP jumped to 1.709, way above his career average of 1.342.

Relief Pitching Role and Saves

Wall worked almost exclusively out of the bullpen, pitching in relief in 90 of his 91 career games. He picked up 13 saves, with nine coming in his strong 1958 season as a key part of Boston’s bullpen.

He did his best work in middle relief. Wall came in as the last pitcher in 54 games, showing he could finish things off when needed. The Red Sox called on him a lot at Fenway Park, where he got used to the park’s quirks.

In 1958, Wall threw 114.1 innings, his heaviest workload. He struck out 53 and walked 33, showing better control than in other seasons. Keeping walks down really helped him succeed in relief.

Notable Games and Appearances

Wall made his big league debut on July 4, 1950, against the Phillies for the Braves. He pitched four innings, gave up six hits and four earned runs. That was his only game in the majors for seven years.

His best run came in 1958 with Boston. Wall appeared in 52 games, his career high, and got his first major league win on May 15 against the White Sox. He pitched 2.1 scoreless innings in relief to get the victory.

Wall’s last big league appearance came on July 25, 1959, against the Kansas City Athletics. He faced two batters, gave up a hit and a walk, then left the game. That short outing closed the book on his four-year major league career at age 32.

Trades, Teammates, and Noteworthy Transactions

Murray Wall’s 1959 season included a weird trade that sent him from Boston to Washington and back again in just a few days. He got caught up in a four-player deal with Dick Hyde, Billy Consolo, and Herb Plews—definitely one of the more memorable moves of that year.

1959 Boston Red Sox-Washington Senators Trade

On June 11, 1959, the Red Sox traded Wall and Billy Consolo to the Washington Senators. In return, Boston picked up pitcher Dick Hyde and infielder Herb Plews.

Wall had been having a decent year for the Red Sox before the trade. In 1958, he was at his busiest, winning eight games and saving ten for Boston.

The trade looked simple at first. Wall was supposed to shore up Washington’s bullpen, while Boston hoped Hyde would help their pitching staff. But things got complicated pretty quickly.

Exchanges Involving Dick Hyde and Billy Consolo

The June 11 trade made for an odd situation in baseball. Billy Consolo went with Wall to Washington from Boston.

Dick Hyde was the main guy Boston wanted in return. The Red Sox hoped he’d fill the same kind of pitching role Wall had.

Within just three days, both Wall and Hyde went back to their original teams. On June 14, 1959, the trade was reversed—a rare move that made this one of the shortest-lived trades ever.

The quick swap-back hinted at problems found during physicals or other issues that made the deal fall apart.

Interactions with Herb Plews and Billy Martin

Herb Plews came over to the Red Sox in the June 11 trade with Hyde. He was an infielder who’d spent his earlier years with the Senators.

Plews, unlike Wall and Hyde, actually stayed with Boston when the trade got partially reversed. The complications that sent the pitchers back didn’t touch his status at all.

Billy Martin wasn’t directly in the middle of this trade, but he was a well-known American League infielder around this time. Martin’s career and Wall’s overlapped in the majors, though they played for different teams.

Because of the trade mess, Wall ended up finishing his career with the Red Sox. That’s the team where he’d found his best form before that short Washington detour.

Minor League Contributions and Later Career

Wall put up steady numbers in the minors, showing what he could do at several levels. He had especially good runs in the Texas League and American Association.

He bounced through the farm systems of three major league clubs. That journey really showed his determination and pitching chops.

Stints with Dallas Eagles and Texas League

Wall landed with the Dallas Eagles in 1956 after the New York Giants grabbed him. Playing for his hometown team in the Texas League turned out to be a career-defining period.

In 1956, Wall went 16-7 with a 3.59 ERA for Dallas. He managed to repeat that 16-7 record in 1957, which is pretty wild.

That 1957 season had Wall’s most memorable minor league outing. On July 1, he tossed nine no-hit innings against Fort Worth. The game dragged into 13 innings, and Wall only gave up a single hit until the last frame, losing 1-0 after two late hits.

Wall’s dominance in 1957 stood out—he had a 1.79 ERA when the Boston Red Sox bought his contract on August 1. That year, he led the Texas League in ERA.

The Dallas Eagles finished first while Wall was there. His Texas League success brought him right back to the majors after those years in the minors.

Performance in the American Association

Wall started his American Association career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1950. After his short major league debut for the Boston Braves, they sent him down to Triple-A.

In 1951, his first full minor league season, Wall went 15-5 with a 4.30 ERA for Milwaukee. The Brewers took both the American Association pennant and league championship that year.

He kept pitching well in 1952, putting up a 16-10 record with a 4.08 ERA. The Brewers finished first again, but they lost in the final round of the playoffs.

When the Braves moved to Milwaukee in 1953, Wall landed with the Toledo Sox. He put together a 10-8 record with a 3.04 ERA as Toledo finished atop the American Association.

His 1954 season with Toledo didn’t go as well. He went 11-14 with a 4.79 ERA, and that pretty much ended his time in the American Association. After that, he dropped to Double-A.

Return to Minor Leagues After MLB

After his big league run ended in 1959, Wall came back to the minors for two more seasons. That short-lived trade to Washington and quick return to Boston kicked off his final years in pro ball.

He joined the Minneapolis Millers in 1959, pitching in 18 games. Wall posted a 3-1 record with a 3.67 ERA in that partial season.

In 1960, he stayed with Minneapolis, now in Double-A. He only appeared in 12 games, with a 1-1 record and a 3.27 ERA over 22 innings.

On May 19, 1960, Wall got sold to the Seattle Rainiers. Seattle didn’t work out—he went 0-3 across 45 innings in 20 games.

Wall really wanted to finish up back home in Dallas. He even offered to chip in $2,500 toward the $5,000 it would take for the Dallas-Fort Worth Rangers to buy his contract from Minneapolis.

Retirement from Professional Baseball

Wall finally got his wish and played for his hometown team in 1961. The Dallas-Fort Worth Rangers, who were a California Angels affiliate, picked up his contract on February 11.

Besides pitching, Wall acted as a special representative for the Rangers. He made public appearances all over Dallas.

His last pro season was short and, honestly, not great. Wall only pitched three innings across three games, gave up four runs, and finished 0-1.

After eleven seasons from 1950 to 1961, Wall called it a career. His minor league stats? 102-76 record in 289 appearances with a 3.71 ERA.

He moved on to First Federal Savings and Loan after baseball. Eventually, he worked his way up to vice president at the Dallas-based institution.

Personal Life, Legacy, and Death

Murray Wall left baseball behind and built a solid banking career. He’d earned recognition for his college days, but his life ended tragically in 1971.

His story really shows the tough road a lot of ex-athletes face, and how mental health struggles can stick around.

Post-Baseball Career and Net Worth

After he retired from baseball in 1959, Wall jumped into finance. He worked at First Federal Savings and Loan in Dallas and eventually became a vice president there.

Wall stayed involved in Dallas business circles. He also served as a special representative for the Dallas-Fort Worth Rangers during his last playing season in 1961, making appearances for the team.

His University of Texas business administration degree definitely helped him in his post-baseball career. He’d trained as an accountant, which gave him a good foundation for banking.

Nobody’s ever published Wall’s exact net worth at the time of his death. But considering he was a bank vice president, it’s fair to guess he found some financial stability after leaving baseball.

Honors and Recognition

Wall earned plenty of recognition for his University of Texas baseball achievements. The school inducted him into its Hall of Honor in 1978, seven years after he died.

He was an All-American in both 1949 and 1950. Wall played a huge part in Texas winning back-to-back College World Series titles, beating Wake Forest in 1949 and Washington State in 1950.

In 1980, his son Scott Wall accepted the honor when Murray was posthumously inducted into the Ex-Pro Baseball Players Hall of Fame in Dallas. That award recognized his impact on pro baseball, even if his major league career wasn’t all that long.

Wall’s college stats still look impressive—he went 21-3 with a 2.02 ERA in Southwest Conference play during his last season at Texas in 1950.

Circumstances of Death and Lasting Impact

Murray Wall died by suicide on October 8, 1971, in Rains County, Texas. He was 45.

He used a self-inflicted gunshot. That made him the 40th known former major league player to die this way.

Wall’s death really put a spotlight on the mental health struggles that former professional athletes can face. Since then, ten more major league players have died in similar circumstances, which keeps showing there’s an ongoing crisis in baseball.

Wall was buried at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas, Texas. His tragic death happened just over 12 years after his last major league game with the Boston Red Sox.

People still don’t know much about what led to his decision, as those details remain private. Still, his story nudged more people to pay attention to the psychological challenges retired athletes deal with.