This morning I read Art Audley’s This Date in Washington Senators History. At first I thought not much happening on this date. Then I read that Walt Herrell, who was born today in 1889, was given only one shot in the major’s back in 1911. For some reason when I see a player that only got that one sip of coffee in the big league I start to do a little more research on the player.
The first bit of interesting information I found about Walt Herrell is that he is local boy from Rockville, Maryland. Next I noticed even though things didn’t work out for Walt with the Washington Senators in 1911 he did have a very a good season in the minors.
Before the 22-year-old lefty was called up by the Senators, Walt was pitching for the Johnson City Soldiers of the Class D Appalalachian League. Actually at Johnson City in 1911 the lefty pitched in 17 games, he won 10 and lost 5. What I did notice is that Walt seemed like he had decent control during the 1911 season as he only gave up 144 hits and walks combined in 138 innings for the Soldiers.
Walt Herrell will go onto play off and on in the minor’s until 1925. Over his career in the minor’s he pitched in 81 games, he won 34 and loss 36. Walt Herrell lived in Front Royal, Virginia until he passed away on January 23, 1949. He was buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery Suitland, Maryland.
