Walter Blair
Born: 10/13/1883 in Landrus, PA, USA
Died: 8/20/1948 in Lewisburg, PA, USA
MLB Debut: 1907-09-17 | Final Game: 1915-09-29
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 185 lbs
Full name: Walter Allen Blair
Biography
Walter Blair, born in 1883, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1907 to 1915. As a position player, Blair participated in 442 games throughout his career, showcasing his skills primarily in the infield and outfield. He recorded a total of 272 hits, contributed 106 RBIs, and hit 3 home runs, finishing his career with a batting average of .217. Known for his speed on the base paths, Blair successfully stole 18 bases, reflecting the aggressive style of play that characterized the early 20th century.
Blair played during a transformative era in baseball, a time when the game was evolving with the introduction of new strategies and the increasing importance of speed and defense. While he may not have been a household name, his contributions to the teams he played for—primarily the Chicago Cubs and the Philadelphia Phillies—were significant in the context of the game’s history. Blair’s career spanned the final years of the deadball era, a time when pitchers dominated and offensive statistics were often lower than in later decades. His tenacity on the field and commitment to the game left a lasting impact, adding to the rich tapestry of early baseball history.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 442 | 1255 | 80 | 272 | 42 | 11 | 3 | 106 | 18 | 86 | 152 | 0.217 | 0.272 | 0.275 | 0.547 | -3316.1 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1907 | NYY | AL | 7 | 22 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0.182 | 0.0 |
| 1908 | NYY | AL | 76 | 211 | 9 | 40 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 4 | 11 | 31 | 0.190 | -715.9 |
| 1909 | NYY | AL | 42 | 110 | 5 | 23 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 7 | 17 | 0.209 | -234.2 |
| 1910 | NYY | AL | 6 | 22 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.227 | 0.0 |
| 1911 | NYY | AL | 85 | 222 | 18 | 43 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 26 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 0.194 | -1095.8 |
| 1914 | BUF | FL | 128 | 378 | 22 | 92 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 33 | 6 | 32 | 64 | 0.243 | -727.0 |
| 1915 | BUF | FL | 98 | 290 | 23 | 65 | 15 | 3 | 2 | 20 | 4 | 18 | 32 | 0.224 | -543.3 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 4 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| C | 424 | 90 | 1821 | 561 | 64 | 52 |
| OF | 9 | 11 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1907 | NYA | C | 7 | 6 | 36 | 11 | 4 | 0 |
| 1908 | NYA | C | 60 | 49 | 225 | 58 | 13 | 4 |
| 1908 | NYA | 1B | 3 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1908 | NYA | OF | 9 | 11 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 1909 | NYA | C | 42 | 29 | 151 | 37 | 7 | 2 |
| 1910 | NYA | C | 6 | 6 | 22 | 10 | 1 | 2 |
| 1911 | NYA | C | 84 | 0 | 379 | 101 | 15 | 12 |
| 1911 | NYA | 1B | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1914 | BUF | C | 128 | 0 | 604 | 194 | 13 | 17 |
| 1915 | BUF | C | 97 | 0 | 404 | 150 | 11 | 15 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 423 |
| First Base | 4 |
| Left Field | 2 |
| Right Field | 9 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bucknell University | Lewisburg | PA | 1904 |