Ty Waller – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Elliott Tyrone Waller, or just Ty Waller as most people know him, made a short but memorable run in Major League Baseball during the 1980s. This third baseman from Fresno, California, stepped onto the big league stage with the St. Louis Cardinals on September 6, 1980. He played his last game with the Houston Astros on May 13, 1987.

Waller spent seven years bouncing between three MLB teams, putting together a .236 batting average, 3 home runs, and 14 RBIs in just 11 games at the top level. His major league stats weren’t flashy, but his story really captures what a lot of players go through—chasing baseball dreams through trades and tough stretches in the minors.

After he stopped playing, Waller moved into coaching and player development. He spent almost 20 years with the San Diego Padres before joining the Oakland Athletics’ coaching staff from 2006 to 2015.

His second act in baseball shows how former players can keep shaping the game, even after their playing days are done.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Elliott Tyrone Waller was born in Fresno, California, on March 14, 1957. He started building his baseball skills at Herbert Hoover High School in San Diego.

His amateur career got the attention of MLB scouts, which led to him being drafted by two different teams.

Birthplace and Family Background

Elliott Tyrone Waller arrived in Fresno, California, on March 14, 1957. Even though Fresno was his birthplace, his family later moved to San Diego.

People started calling him “Ty,” a nickname that stuck with him throughout his baseball journey. Official records still show his full name, Elliott Tyrone Waller.

Moving to San Diego turned out to be a big deal for his baseball future. Southern California’s weather meant he could play all year, and the area had some strong high school programs.

High School and Early Baseball Success

Waller went to Herbert Hoover High School in San Diego. The baseball team there gave him a real shot to show off in front of scouts.

During high school, he became a pretty versatile player. He played multiple positions, which later helped him in the pros.

His time at Hoover High School really put him on the radar for MLB scouts.

The tough baseball scene in San Diego’s high schools got him ready for the next step. Coaches and teammates at Hoover watched him grow into a stronger player.

MLB Draft Selections

The San Francisco Giants picked Waller in the 33rd round of the June 1975 MLB Amateur Draft. He didn’t sign, choosing instead to keep playing as an amateur.

Two years later, the St. Louis Cardinals picked him in the 4th round of the January 1977 MLB Draft. This time, he signed with the Cardinals on May 11, 1977.

Getting picked in a higher round probably made it easier to go pro. The time between those drafts let him improve a lot, going from a late pick to a much earlier one.

Major League Career Overview

Ty Waller played in the majors from 1980 to 1987, mostly as a third baseman for three different teams. He started with the St. Louis Cardinals, then moved to the Chicago Cubs, and ended with the Houston Astros.

MLB Debut and First Season

Waller made his major league debut on September 6, 1980, with the St. Louis Cardinals at age 23. He stepped in against the Houston Astros and got one hit in two at-bats during his first game.

The Cardinals had drafted him in the 4th round of the 1977 January draft, after he’d already been picked by the Giants in 1975 but turned them down. He spent three years working through the Cardinals’ minor league system before finally getting his shot.

His first season in the majors was short. He joined the Cardinals in September, right at the end of the 1980 season. That short stint gave him a quick taste of MLB life before heading back to the minors for more work.

Teams Played for During Career

Waller’s MLB career took him through three teams over seven seasons. After his first year with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1980, the team traded him to the Chicago Cubs. That deal sent Leon Durham and Ken Reitz to Chicago, with Bruce Sutter going to St. Louis.

He played for the Chicago Cubs from 1981 to 1982. There, he got his most consistent big league playing time. He worked as a utility infielder, mostly at third base, but filled in at other spots too.

After 1982, the Cubs traded him to the Chicago White Sox for Reggie Patterson, but he never actually played a game for the Sox. Later, he signed with the Houston Astros as a free agent after the 1983 season.

Final MLB Game and Retirement

Waller played his last MLB game on May 13, 1987, for the Houston Astros against the New York Mets. He didn’t get an at-bat that night, and that ended up being his final big league appearance.

His career stats show a .236 batting average, 3 home runs, and 14 RBIs over seven years. While those numbers aren’t eye-popping, he had a better run in the minors, batting .269 with 60 home runs and 510 RBIs over 1,138 games.

After hanging up his glove in 1987, Waller moved into coaching and front office work. He passed rookie limits during the 1987 season, which officially marked the end of his days as a prospect. He wrapped up his playing career at age 30.

Performance and Notable Achievements

Ty Waller played seven seasons in the majors and put up solid, if not spectacular, numbers for three different teams. His .236 career batting average tells you how tough it is to stick as a utility player at the top level.

Batting Statistics and Highlights

Waller finished with a .236 batting average over 63 major league games. He hit 3 home runs and drove in 14 runs while with the Cardinals, Cubs, and Astros.

His best season came in 1987 with the Houston Astros. That year, he played 11 games and managed a .333 batting average on the road. Away from home, he got 1 hit in 3 at-bats—a double.

1987 Road Performance:

• Games: 6
• At-bats: 3
• Hits: 1 (1 double)
• Batting Average: .333
• On-base Percentage: .333
• Slugging Average: .666

At home in 1987, things didn’t go as well. He played 5 games, had 3 at-bats, and struck out twice without a hit.

Key Games in the 1987 Season

Waller’s final big league season in 1987 had a few memorable moments. He played his last game on May 13, 1987, against the Mets, just after turning 30.

The 1987 game logs show he appeared in 11 games that year. His performance was a bit of a mixed bag—he only got a hit on the road.

He went over rookie limits that season, even though he’d played earlier with the Cardinals and Cubs.

That last game? No at-bats, no hits, no home runs, and no RBIs. Not the flashiest ending, but it closed out a career that started back in 1980.

Career Home Runs and Runs

Waller never put up big power numbers. He hit just 3 home runs in his seven years in the majors.

He didn’t get a ton of runs either. In 1987, he scored once on the road but not at home.

Career Power Stats:

• Home Runs: 3
• RBIs: 14
• Doubles: At least one in 1987
• Triples: Not much info out there

His lower power stats fit his role as a utility guy, not a big bat in the lineup. Teams valued him more for his defensive versatility than his offense.

Defensive Contributions and Positions Played

Waller played all over the diamond during his career. He mainly worked as a third baseman but also spent time in center field and at second base.

That defensive flexibility made him useful as a utility player. Managers could plug him in wherever they needed.

Positions Played:

• Third baseman (mainly)
• Center fielder
• Second baseman

After he stopped playing, Waller jumped into coaching. He worked as a coach for the Oakland Athletics from 2007 to 2015, sharing his defensive know-how with younger players.

His coaching career actually lasted longer than his time as a player. That switch showed he still had plenty to offer the game.

Career Stats and Advanced Metrics

Ty Waller’s short MLB career from 1980 to 1987 added up to limited stats in 63 games with three teams. Looking at his advanced numbers, you can see he had a tough time finding steady offense in the majors.

WAR and Value Over Replacement

Waller’s WAR (Wins Above Replacement) tells the story of a player who didn’t have much impact during his four seasons in the big leagues. He played just 63 games over seven years, so his total WAR stayed well below replacement level.

He just didn’t get enough playing time to rack up positive value. The short stints with the Cardinals, Cubs, and Astros meant he never got a real foothold.

Key WAR Factors:

• Offense: Negative, thanks to that .236 average
• Defense: Hard to judge with so few games and so many positions
• Playing time: Not enough to make much of a mark

Baseball Reference shows Waller’s replacement-level numbers came from not being able to hold down a regular roster spot.

rOBA and Offensive Output

Waller’s advanced stats paint a pretty clear picture—he struggled at the plate. That .236 batting average led to below-average numbers in just about every category.

He hit 3 home runs in 63 games, and his 14 RBIs and 18 runs scored show he didn’t have a lot of chances to drive in runs.

Offensive Stats:

• Batting Average: .236
• Home Runs: 3
• RBIs: 14
• Runs Scored: 18

With only 26 hits over four seasons, he had a hard time making contact against major league pitching.

Comparisons to MLB Averages

Waller’s .236 average was well below what most MLB hitters managed in the 1980s. League averages back then usually sat around .255 to .265, so he was off by 20-30 points.

His power numbers were even further behind the curve. Three home runs in 63 games was way under the average rate for most position players.

Performance vs. League:

• Batting: 20-30 points below average
• Power: Far below typical home run rates
• Overall: Replacement level or lower

Retrosheet data shows Waller struggled against both righties and lefties.

Team Transitions and Trades

Ty Waller’s baseball career saw plenty of team changes that shaped his time in the majors. He moved from the St. Louis Cardinals organization to the Chicago Cubs and eventually landed with the Houston Astros.

Trade History and Player Movements

Waller kicked off his professional career when the St. Louis Cardinals picked him in the 4th round of the 1977 MLB January Draft. He signed with them on May 11, 1977. Before that, the San Francisco Giants had drafted him in 1975, but he decided not to sign.

The biggest trade of Waller’s career happened on December 22, 1980. The Cardinals sent him to the Chicago Cubs in a deal that also included Leon Durham and Ken Reitz heading to Chicago. That trade actually wrapped up an earlier agreement between the two teams.

After his stint with the Cubs, Waller joined the Houston Astros as a free agent. That move gave him his last shot in the Majors before he retired from pro baseball in 1987.

Role with St. Louis Cardinals

Waller spent his early years working his way through the Cardinals’ minor league system. He played for teams like the Calgary Cardinals and St. Petersburg Cardinals. During that time, he tried to prove himself as a reliable infielder.

The Cardinals saw Waller as a utility guy who could cover multiple spots. He mainly played third base, but he filled in at second and even center field when needed.

From 1977 to the end of 1980, he stuck with the Cardinals system. Those years gave him a chance to sharpen his skills and aim for a Major League debut.

Time with Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros

Waller played in 47 games for the Cubs during the 1981 and 1982 seasons. He didn’t make a big impact at the plate and struggled to carve out a regular spot in the lineup.

The Cubs mostly used him as a backup infielder and occasional starter. His ability to play different positions helped when the team needed coverage for injured or resting players.

After leaving Chicago, Waller signed on with the Houston Astros as a free agent. He played just 11 games for Houston in 1987. That short run marked his last appearance in the Majors before he stepped away from pro baseball.

Post-Playing Career and Legacy

When Waller retired from playing in 1987, he dove right into coaching and front office work, and honestly, he stuck with it for nearly thirty years. He spent a lot of time with the San Diego Padres organization and took on coaching roles that helped shape plenty of young players. His family’s baseball ties turned into a pretty impressive legacy too.

Coaching and Baseball Executive Roles

Waller started out after his playing days by moving into coaching and management with the Padres. In 1994, he managed in the minors, then became the team’s bullpen coach in 1995.

He shifted into player development and made a real difference there. Between 1997 and 1999, he worked as the Padres’ coordinator of minor league instruction. After that, he served as director of player development from 2000 to 2005.

In 2006, Waller went back to field coaching as the Padres’ first base coach. He made it back to the big leagues as a coach with the Oakland Athletics from 2007 through 2015.

He ended up spending 19 years with the Padres in various roles. Waller coached, managed, and worked as a roving instructor, always focused on helping young talent grow.

Family Legacy in Baseball

The Waller family really made a mark in pro baseball, not just Ty. His brother Reggie Waller got into baseball as an executive, so the family had front office ties too.

Kevin Waller, another brother, played in the minors, keeping the family’s connection on the field. The next generation got involved as well, with Ty’s nephews getting into the game.

Both Gerric and Derric Waller played professionally in the minors. The family’s involvement across generations shows just how deep their love for baseball runs.

The Wallers have contributed to baseball as players, coaches, and executives. Their story stretches across decades, and honestly, that’s pretty rare in the sport.

Recognition in Statistical Archives

Major baseball databases preserve Waller’s career stats and achievements. Baseball Reference keeps thorough records of his playing and coaching career, covering everything from 1977 through 2015.

You’ll find Baseball Almanac lists detailed biographical info and stats. They note his debut on September 6, 1980, when the St. Louis Cardinals called him up at just 23.

Retrosheet tracks his game-by-game performances from his time in the majors. Thanks to these archives, researchers and fans can still dig into his impact on baseball history.

ESPN highlights his move from player to coach in their biographical section. The stats there show Elliott Tyrone Waller’s full journey, from minor league hopeful to major league coach.