Bucky Walters - Making his pitch

Written by: Craig Muder

Bucky Walters didn’t become a full-time big league pitcher until he was 27 years old. But he quickly made up for the lost time.

Now, Walters could take his place with baseball’s all-time greats at the Hall of Fame.

Walters is one of 10 finalists on this year’s Pre-Integration Committee ballot at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The Pre-Integration Committee will vote on Dec. 7 at baseball’s Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tenn.

The 10 candidates on the Pre-Integration Committee ballot are: Doc Adams, Sam Breadon, Bill Dahlen, Wes Ferrell, August (Garry) Herrmann, Marty Marion, Frank McCormick, Harry Stovey, Chris von der Ahe and Walters. Any candidate who receives at least 75 percent of all ballots cast will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2016.

Born April 19, 1909, Walters was an All-Star pitcher who played for the Boston Braves (1931-32, 1950), Boston Red Sox (1933-1934), Philadelphia Phillies (1934-1938) and Cincinnati Reds (1938-1948). Known for his durability and good hitting, Walters spent five years as an infielder before making the transition to the mound.

A sample 1946 Cincinnati Reds road jersey. “Bucky Walters” is sewn on the front shirt tail. B-16.90 (Milo Stewart, Jr. / National Baseball Hall of Fame Library)

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Cincinnati Red Bucky Walters played 11 years with the club before being traded to the Boston Braves. BL-3865.68WT1q (National Baseball Hall of Fame Library)

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Bucky Walters featured on the front cover of May 1941 issue of "Baseball Magazine". BL-1265.87 (National Baseball Hall of Fame Library)

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The September 1940 issue of "The Hurling Star," the official publication of the Buck Walters Fan Club. BL-167.67a (National Baseball Hall of Fame Library)

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William “Bucky” Walters throwing a ball around. BL-231.54.14 (Look Magazine / National Baseball Hall of Fame Library)

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Walters was a six-time All-Star, and the 1939 National League MVP and Triple Crown Winner. During that season, he led the National League with 27 wins, a 2.29 ERA and 137 strikeouts.

Walters pitched 300 innings three years in a row (1939-41) and pitched in 39 games in back-to-back seasons in 1938 and 1939. He also led the league in complete games and innings pitched from 1939-1941.

Walters was the workhorse for two pennant-winning Reds teams in 1939 and 1940. In the 1940 World Series, Walters threw two complete games in two appearances with a 1.50 ERA, including a shutout in Game 6 to force a Game 7. The Reds beat the Tigers for the World Series Championship.

Walters finished his career with a 198-160 record and an ERA of 3.30. He started 398 games and had 242 complete games. He threw 3,104.2 innings in 16 seasons. He maintained a career batting average of .243.

Walters passed away on April 20, 1991.

Craig Muder is the director of communications for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

2016 Pre-Integration Committee Ballot

Doc Adams helped shape baseball’s earliest days

Pioneer player, executive one of 10 finalists for Pre-Integration Committee consideration at Baseball Hall of Fame

Sam Breadon - Cardinal Rule

Breadon helped create St. Louis dynasty

Bill Dahlen stands test of time

Shortstop one of 10 finalists for Pre-Integration Committee consideration at Baseball Hall of Fame

Ferrell remembered for pitching, hitting skill

Former All-Star one of 10 finalists on Pre-Integration Committee Hall of Fame ballot

Gary Herrmann - A King in Queen City

Longtime Reds owner, league chairman August Herrmann a Pre-Integration Committee Finalist at Hall of Fame

Marty Marion - No shortage of talent

Marty Marion turned defensive wizardry at shortstop into spot on Hall of Fame ballot

Reds slugger Frank McCormick

Frank McCormick of Cincinnati Reds fame is one of ten candidates on the Pre-Integration Committee ballot

19th century star Harry Stovey

The powerful and speedy Harry Stovey is one of ten finalists to be considered by the Pre-Integration Committee

Chris von der Ahe - A Magnate for Success

19th Century owner Chris von der Ahe a Pre-Integration Committee Finalist at Hall of Fame

2016 Pre-Integration Committee Candidates

10-name Pre-Integration Era ballot to be reviewed and voted upon Dec. 7.

Past Inductions

A look at each induction class.