Walt French
Born: 7/12/1899 in Moorestown, NJ, USA
Died: 5/13/1984 in Mountain Home, AR, USA
MLB Debut: 1923-09-15 | Final Game: 1929-10-06
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 5'7" | Weight: 155 lbs
Full name: Walter Edward French
Biography
Walt French was a professional baseball player born in 1899, who played primarily in the Major Leagues from 1923 to 1929. During his career, he appeared in 397 games, establishing himself as a reliable position player known for his strong batting abilities. French finished his career with a commendable batting average of .303, a testament to his offensive prowess during an era that was transitioning away from the deadball style of play. He accumulated a total of 297 hits, including 2 home runs and 109 RBIs, while also showcasing his speed on the bases with 13 stolen bases.
French's contributions to his teams were significant, as he played in a time when the game was evolving. His ability to hit for average made him a valuable asset in the lineup, and his style of play reflected the shifting dynamics of baseball in the 1920s. Although not widely recognized in the annals of baseball history, Walt French's performance remains an important part of the narrative of the game during this transformative period. His impact on the field, characterized by solid hitting and base running, contributed to the rich tapestry of early 20th-century baseball.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 397 | 981 | 142 | 297 | 45 | 12 | 2 | 109 | 13 | 44 | 62 | 0.303 | 0.336 | 0.379 | 0.715 | -516.1 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1923 | PHA | AL | 16 | 39 | 7 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 0.231 | 0.0 |
| 1925 | PHA | AL | 67 | 100 | 20 | 37 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0.370 | 149.8 |
| 1926 | PHA | AL | 112 | 397 | 51 | 121 | 18 | 7 | 1 | 36 | 2 | 18 | 24 | 0.305 | -82.6 |
| 1927 | PHA | AL | 109 | 326 | 48 | 99 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 41 | 9 | 16 | 14 | 0.304 | -322.1 |
| 1928 | PHA | AL | 48 | 74 | 9 | 19 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0.257 | -261.2 |
| 1929 | PHA | AL | 45 | 45 | 7 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0.267 | 0.0 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.000 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1929 | WS | PHA | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.000 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 251 | 0 | 465 | 23 | 16 | 9 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1923 | PHA | OF | 10 | 0 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1925 | PHA | OF | 19 | 0 | 31 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1926 | PHA | OF | 99 | 0 | 186 | 12 | 6 | 7 |
| 1927 | PHA | OF | 94 | 0 | 190 | 6 | 9 | 2 |
| 1928 | PHA | OF | 19 | 0 | 33 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1929 | PHA | OF | 10 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 23 |
| Center Field | 18 |
| Right Field | 210 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States Military Academy | West Point | NY | 1921, 1922 |
| Rutgers - the State University of New Jersey | New Brunswick | NJ | 1920 |