Walter Thornton
Born: 2/18/1875 in Peoria, IL, USA
Died: 7/14/1960 in Los Angeles, CA, USA
MLB Debut: 1895-07-01 | Final Game: 1898-10-08
Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 180 lbs
Full name: Walter Miller Thornton
Biography
Walter Thornton, born in 1875, was a professional baseball pitcher whose career spanned from 1895 to 1907. He made his mark in a time when baseball was evolving, transitioning from the rough-and-tumble days of the deadball era to a more organized and strategic game. Over his career, Thornton compiled a record of 23 wins and 18 losses, with an earned run average (ERA) of 4.18. His ability to strike out batters was notable, as he recorded 134 strikeouts, showcasing his skill in overpowering hitters. Additionally, he recorded one save, highlighting his versatility and capability to close out games when called upon.
Thornton's playing style was characterized by a strong competitive spirit and a dedication to the craft of pitching. His contributions to the teams he played for during the late 19th century reflected the growing emphasis on pitching acumen and strategy that would come to define the game in the years following his retirement. Though his career was relatively brief, ending in 1908, Thornton remains a part of baseball history, representing a pivotal era in the sport's development.
Career Pitching Statistics
| W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | HR | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | 18 | 56 | 48 | 40 | 2 | 1 | 409.3 | 478 | 190 | 12 | 151 | 134 | 4.18 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Pitching
| Year | Team | Lg | W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1895 | CHC | NL | 2 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 40.0 | 58 | 27 | 31 | 13 | 6.08 | - |
| 1896 | CHC | NL | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 23.7 | 30 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 5.70 | - |
| 1897 | CHC | NL | 6 | 7 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 130.3 | 164 | 68 | 51 | 55 | 4.70 | - |
| 1898 | CHC | NL | 13 | 10 | 28 | 25 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 215.3 | 226 | 80 | 56 | 56 | 3.34 | - |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 154 | 519 | 83 | 162 | 15 | 9 | 1 | 77 | 23 | 60 | 33 | 0.312 | 0.390 | 0.382 | 0.771 | 668.1 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1895 | CHC | NL | 8 | 22 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0.318 | 0.0 |
| 1896 | CHC | NL | 9 | 22 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 0.364 | 0.0 |
| 1897 | CHC | NL | 75 | 265 | 39 | 85 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 55 | 13 | 30 | 16 | 0.321 | 518.3 |
| 1898 | CHC | NL | 62 | 210 | 34 | 62 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 8 | 22 | 14 | 0.295 | 149.8 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| OF | 96 | 0 | 147 | 13 | 35 | 2 |
| P | 56 | 0 | 24 | 81 | 10 | 4 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1895 | CHN | P | 7 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 1895 | CHN | 1B | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1896 | CHN | P | 5 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1896 | CHN | OF | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1897 | CHN | P | 16 | 0 | 11 | 25 | 1 | 1 |
| 1897 | CHN | OF | 59 | 0 | 74 | 8 | 23 | 0 |
| 1898 | CHN | P | 28 | 0 | 8 | 48 | 7 | 3 |
| 1898 | CHN | OF | 34 | 0 | 66 | 5 | 10 | 2 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | 56 |
| First Base | 1 |
| Left Field | 50 |
| Center Field | 36 |
| Right Field | 10 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornell College | Mount Vernon | IA | 1895 |