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.
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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