Walt Moryn – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Walt Moryn, known as “Moose,” played as a professional baseball outfielder in Major League Baseball from 1954 to 1961.

He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, and swung left-handed at the plate. Before starting his baseball journey in 1948, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Moryn hung up his cleats in 1961 after eight seasons, wrapping up his career with the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Standing 6-foot-2, Moryn wore the uniforms of four different MLB teams: the Brooklyn Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and Pittsburgh Pirates.

He found his groove with the Chicago Cubs, spending four straight seasons as a regular outfielder from 1956 to 1960. Most of his power numbers came during this stretch, as he hit 82 of his career 101 home runs and snagged his only All-Star nod in 1958.

Moryn ended his career at 35 with a .266 batting average, 101 home runs, and 354 RBIs over 785 games.

Probably his most unforgettable moment happened on May 15, 1960, when he made a dramatic catch for the last out of Don Cardwell’s no-hitter with the Cubs.

After baseball, he ran a bar in the Chicago area until his death in 1996.

Early Life and Education

Walter Joseph Moryn was born April 12, 1926, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Edward and Sophie Moryn, who had Russian and Polish roots.

He grew up obsessed with baseball, a passion that pretty much set the course for his life. At Harding High School, he played several sports but found his way to professional baseball.

Childhood and Family Background

Walter grew up in a working-class immigrant family on St. Paul’s west side. His father Edward, born in 1899 to Russian immigrants, worked for the Omaha Railroad Company, even though he walked with a noticeable limp from a streetcar accident as a kid.

His mom, Sophie Dwuznik, was born in 1906 to Polish immigrants who settled in St. Paul. She worked in a meat-packing plant before marrying Edward in 1924.

When Walter was about five, the family moved to Dayton’s Bluff. They lived above Johnson’s Grocery Store at Earl Street and Hastings Avenue.

He had an older sister, Mary Jane, born in late 1924.

Baseball was everything for Walter as a kid. Mary Jane once said, “Baseball was his love. I would even play with them when they needed players. He’d sneak out of the house to play baseball.”

Walter spent his days playing ball from morning to night. That kind of early dedication really shaped his future.

Harding High School Years

Walter went to St. John’s grade school, then headed to Harding High School in St. Paul.

At Harding, he played football, basketball, and baseball, showing off his athletic versatility. Those years helped him build the skills and drive he’d need for pro baseball.

But honestly, he didn’t care much for schoolwork. Mary Jane remembered, “School didn’t interest him. When I was doing homework, he’s out playing baseball.”

Sports clearly meant more to him than homework. That focus on athletics over academics showed he was determined to make it more than just a pastime.

He graduated from Harding High in 1944, which surprised his sister considering how little he cared for school.

But with World War II raging, bigger things were ahead, and young men like Walter were being called to serve.

Path to Professional Baseball

After finishing at Harding High School, Walter joined the U.S. Navy before even getting his diploma.

He trained as a gunner’s mate and spent over two years on an ammunition ship in the South Pacific during the end of World War II. That experience matured him and gave him a discipline that would help him later.

When he got out of the Navy at 20, Walter wasn’t sure what to do next. He started learning the tool and die trade and played amateur baseball with the St. John’s church team in an industrial league.

He also played in a softball league, keeping his baseball skills sharp.

In August 1947, Walter caught a lucky break. He got invited to a Brooklyn Dodgers tryout camp in St. Paul. Gerry Flathman, a part-time Dodgers scout and city parks official, noticed his talent.

Andy High, another scout, ran the tryout and recommended that Brooklyn sign Walter. That moment set him on the path to professional baseball.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Walt Moryn spent eight seasons in Major League Baseball from 1954 to 1961, carving out a reputation as a dependable outfielder for four teams.

He started with the Brooklyn Dodgers and finished with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His best years, though, came during his four seasons with the Chicago Cubs.

MLB Debut with Brooklyn Dodgers

Walt made his MLB debut on June 29, 1954, with the Brooklyn Dodgers at 28.

He got a late start in the majors because he served in the Navy during World War II in the Pacific.

His pro baseball journey actually started in 1948 in the minors. He spent six seasons there, working on his game before getting the call.

Moryn stood 6-foot-2 and weighed 205 pounds. He hit left-handed and threw right-handed.

He stuck with the Dodgers through 1955, picking up experience in the National League before moving on.

Major League Teams Played For

Moryn played for four MLB teams. He started with the Brooklyn Dodgers (1954-1955), then moved to the Chicago Cubs for his most productive years from 1956 to 1960.

With the Cubs, he spent four straight seasons as a regular outfielder. He played right field in 1956-1957 and left field from 1958-1959.

During those years, he hit 82 of his 101 career home runs.

On May 15, 1960, he made a game-saving shoe-string catch for the final out of Don Cardwell’s no-hitter—Cardwell’s Cubs debut after a trade. That moment’s still talked about.

He got picked for the 1958 All-Star Game, though he didn’t see any action. About a month after that famous catch, the Cubs traded him to the St. Louis Cardinals at the 1960 deadline.

Retirement in 1961

Walt’s last MLB season came in 1961, split between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

He played his final big-league game on September 28, 1961, in a Pirates uniform.

At 35, Moryn wrapped up his eight-year career with a .266 batting average, 101 home runs, and 354 RBIs over 785 games.

He also put up solid minor league stats, playing 1,010 games in eight seasons with a .288 average and 140 home runs.

After baseball, he ran a bar around Chicago. He died of a heart attack on July 21, 1996, in Winfield, Illinois, at age 70.

Chicago Cubs Years

When Moryn got traded to Chicago in December 1955, he entered the best phase of his career. He averaged 20 home runs a season and made his only All-Star appearance.

That catch on May 15, 1960, at Wrigley Field, saving Don Cardwell’s no-hitter, still stands out as his signature moment.

Key Performances and Memorable Moments

From 1956 to 1960, Moryn hit his stride with the Cubs. The left-handed slugger put up power numbers and gave the team some much-needed offense, even if the Cubs weren’t winning much.

His most famous moment? May 15, 1960, at Wrigley Field, with over 33,000 fans watching, he made a clutch catch to seal Cardwell’s no-hitter. That play became legendary among Cubs fans.

During his time in Chicago, Moryn averaged 20 home runs a year. His power at the plate was a bright spot for fans during some tough years for the team.

His batting average with the Cubs sat around .285, showing he could hit consistently. Moryn’s RBI numbers stayed strong, as he drove in runs even without much help from the lineup.

All-Star Selection

Moryn earned his only All-Star selection in 1958 while with the Chicago Cubs.

That year was one of his best, and the selection finally gave him some national recognition as a reliable National League power hitter.

The All-Star nod was the high point of his career. It showed that his steady play in Chicago hadn’t gone unnoticed.

Even if he didn’t play in the game, just being picked was a big deal for both him and the Cubs during a rough patch.

Teammates and Clubhouse Reputation

Moryn shared the field with Hall of Famer Ernie Banks in Chicago, forming a key part of the team’s core.

Banks held down shortstop, while Moryn brought power from the outfield.

His teammates respected his work ethic and professionalism. The discipline he gained in the Navy stuck with him, and it showed in how he played and carried himself.

People called him “Moose” for his size and friendly personality. At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, he was hard to miss, but he got along well with everyone.

Moryn’s reputation went beyond stats. He helped out younger players and kept things steady in the clubhouse, which mattered during the Cubs’ rebuilding years.

Career Achievements and Statistics

Walt Moryn put up solid numbers in his eight MLB seasons, batting .266 with 101 home runs and 354 RBIs in 785 games.

His best years came as a regular outfielder for the Cubs from 1956-1960, where he showed off his power and played solid defense.

Batting Average and Hitting Records

Moryn kept a .266 career batting average from 1954 to 1961.

He collected 667 hits in 785 games, including 116 doubles and 16 triples.

His best hitting came during his four years as a Cubs regular, from 1956-1959.

The lefty drew 251 walks and struck out 393 times, ending up with a .335 on-base percentage.

He made his only All-Star Game in 1958 as a National League pick, though he didn’t get in the game.

Home Runs and RBI Totals

Walt Moryn’s Power Numbers:

• Career home runs: 101
• Career RBIs: 354
• Cubs years (1956-1959): 82 home runs

Moryn hit 82 of his 101 home runs in just four years with Chicago.

That run marked the peak of his power at the plate.

With 101 career home runs, he stood among the solid power hitters of his era. His 354 RBIs averaged out to about 44 per season over his eight-year career.

Defensive Strengths in the Outfield

Moryn played all three outfield positions during his career. That kind of defensive versatility doesn’t come easy.

He spent his first two seasons with the Cubs (1956-1957) as the team’s right fielder. The Cubs then moved him to left field for the 1958 and 1959 seasons.

This switch showed how much the team trusted his glove. It also proved he could adjust on the fly.

On May 15, 1960, he made a shoestring catch for the last out of Don Cardwell’s no-hitter. That catch saved Cardwell’s gem in what was the pitcher’s Cubs debut—talk about a dramatic moment.

Standing 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 205 pounds, Moryn had the build to cover a lot of ground out there. He batted left-handed, but threw with his right.

Life After Baseball

Walt Moryn left baseball and jumped into business ownership. He kept close ties to the Chicago area where he once played for the Cubs.

He stayed involved with the baseball community through charity events and golf tournaments right up until his death in 1996.

Business Ventures and Personal Life

After his baseball days, Moryn set up shop as a businessman in the Chicago suburbs. He ran a tavern in the area and later expanded to own both a tavern and liquor store in Cicero, Illinois.

His personal life changed a lot during this time. He and his first wife Ruth divorced in the late 1960s, ending a marriage that lasted through most of his playing career.

He eventually married Carolyn. They had a daughter, Kelly, in 1970, so he got to experience fatherhood a bit later in life.

Moryn stayed in the hospitality business until 1988, when he decided to retire from it all. After that, he spent much of his time golfing, which became a big part of his life.

Legacy in the Baseball Community

After stepping away from business, Moryn stayed active in Chicago’s baseball scene through charity work. He took part in charity golf events all over the Chicago area, using his Cubs connection to help local causes.

These events kept him in touch with fans and other former players. He really showed his commitment to giving back to the community that cheered him on.

He kept up with these activities until his health started to fail. Moryn passed away on July 21, 1996, at age 70, leaving behind memories of both his baseball highlights and his community involvement.

His legacy in Chicago stayed strong, especially among Cubs fans who remembered that famous catch that saved Don Cardwell’s no-hitter in 1960.

Death and Memorial

Walt Moryn died on July 21, 1996, in Winfield, Illinois, at 70. He was buried at Assumption Cemetery in nearby Wheaton, Illinois.

Final Years and Passing

After retiring from pro baseball in 1961, Walt Moryn stuck around the Chicago area, the place where he made his mark as a Cubs outfielder.

He divorced Ruth in the late 1960s and later married Carolyn. Together, they had a daughter named Kelly in 1970.

Moryn ran a tavern and liquor store in Cicero, Illinois, staying connected to the local community where plenty of folks still remembered his baseball days. He kept at it until his retirement in 1988.

During retirement, Moryn really got into golf. He spent a lot of his free time on the course and regularly joined charity golf events around Chicago.

Walter Joseph Moryn died on July 21, 1996, in Winfield, Illinois. He was 70 when he passed.

Burial and Cemetery Location

Walt Moryn is buried at Assumption Cemetery in Wheaton, Illinois. You’ll find this cemetery in DuPage County, just west of Chicago.

A lot of people from the western Chicago suburbs have family members resting at Assumption Cemetery. Moryn’s grave sits in Wheaton, which keeps him close to Chicago, the city where he played his most unforgettable baseball seasons.

This burial site ties Moryn to the area where Cubs fans called him “Moose.” His grave stands as a reminder of his baseball days and the life he built in the Chicago community after he hung up his glove.