The Hard Throwing Sailor

Bill Walsh

In 1955, the Sacramento Solons, piloted by local pitching legend Tony Freitas, packed up and traveled to Yuma, Arizona for spring training. One of the most intriguing rookies in camp was a 6-6, 230 pound former sailor from Watertown, South Dakota by the name of Bill Walsh.

The 22-year old chucker made quite an impression on the Sacramento Union’s sports editor Bill Conlin, who immediately labeled the young man: “Big” Bill Walsh. The rival Sacramento Bee sent a photographer down and later ran a picture on the front page of the sports section of Bill holding two of his, seemingly, diminutive teammates, Richie Myers and Lenny Attyd, in his outstretched arms.

The youngster pitched well in his first spring training camp, but was farmed out to Salem in the Northwest League. His manager was the venerable Hal Luby, a 24-year veteran of the Pacific Coast League. Bill’s teammates included Sacramento natives Tommy Agosta and Ronnie King. In his first year of professional baseball, Bill compiled a record of 10 and 8.

In 1956, Bill was once again invited to the Solons’ spring training, this time in Pasadena, along with Tommy Agosta and a plucky young catcher named John McNamara. Bill once again exhibited his blazing fast ball, but new manager Tommy Heath thought he needed another year on Salem. Once again, Bill had another fine year, compiling an 11 and 5 record with a 4.20 era.

Bill was very sought out by the competitive winter league teams in Sacramento, and he was an important part of the historic Julius team of 1956. Nearly every member of that undefeated team went on to play ball.

The following year, he pitched for Eddie Bockman’s Amarillo Gold Sox where he notched an 8 and 8 record. Although the team had a great year, winning 97 games, Bill’s powerful right arm began to tire.

In 1957 while playing in the Class C, Arizona-Mexico League, Bill coaxed a 14 and 8 record out of his sore arm, under the helpful supervision of manager and Sacramento native, Harry Dunlop.

The following year, he retired, leaving behind a lifetime record of 43 and 29. Bill returned to Sacramento, raised his family, and became the assistant plant manager at the sprawling Campbell’s Soup plant in South Sacramento. No matter how busy he was, Bill always found the time to visit daily and say hello to the mother of his former manager Harry Dunlop, who also worked there.

Bill’s passion for baseball, and all sports lives on in his son Pat, the KFBK Sports Guy.

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