Walt Bond facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Walt Bond |
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| Outfielder/First baseman | |||
| Born: October 19, 1937 Denmark, Tennessee |
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| Died: September 14, 1967 (aged 29) Houston, Texas |
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| debut | |||
| April 19, 1960, for the Cleveland Indians | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| May 7, 1967, for the Minnesota Twins | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .256 | ||
| Home runs | 41 | ||
| Runs batted in | 179 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Walter Franklin Bond (born October 19, 1937 – died September 14, 1967) was an American professional baseball player. He played in 365 games over six seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Walt played for the Cleveland Indians, Houston Colt .45s/Astros, and Minnesota Twins between 1960 and 1967.
He was an outfielder and first baseman. Walt played the last five years of his 11-year career after being diagnosed with a serious illness in 1962. He showed amazing courage and strength during this time. He passed away in 1967, still a member of the Twins team.
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Walt Bond's Early Life and Baseball Start
Walt Bond was born in Denmark, Tennessee. He went to Lane College. He was a very tall player, standing 6 feet 7 inches (201 cm) and weighing 228 pounds (103 kg). He threw the ball with his right hand but batted with his left hand.
Because of his large size, Walt was known as a powerful hitter. He also had a good batting average of .299 during his time in the minor leagues. He even played briefly in the Negro leagues for the Kansas City Monarchs.
Rising Through the Ranks
In 1962, the same year he received his diagnosis, Walt had a fantastic season. He played for the Salt Lake City Bees in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. He batted .320 in 132 games, showing his skill.
Later that year, he joined the Cleveland Indians for 12 games in September. He hit six home runs in just 50 at bats. He also brought in 17 runs for his team. His batting average was .380, and his slugging percentage was an impressive .800. Even with these great numbers, he spent the next year, 1963, back in Triple-A.
Playing for the Houston Colt .45s
On December 19, 1963, Walt Bond was traded to the Houston Colt .45s. The team's manager, Paul Richards, knew about Walt's illness. However, the team doctor checked Walt and found that his condition was stable.
Walt then had his best Major League season in 1964. He became the starting first baseman for the Colt .45s. He led the team in home runs with 20 and runs batted in with 85. He played in 148 games that year.
Challenges and Courage
In 1965, Walt continued as a starter, but his performance dropped. This happened when the team moved into the new Astrodome. Some of his teammates later thought that his health might have been affecting his play that season.
Before the 1966 season, Walt was sent to the Minnesota Twins. He returned to Triple-A and played for the Denver Bears. He batted .316 and hit 18 home runs in 122 games. This strong performance earned him a chance to try out for the Twins again in 1967.
Final Season and Legacy
Walt Bond made the Minnesota Twins team in 1967. He batted .313 while playing part-time during the first month of the season. One of his five hits was a two-run pinch-hit home run. He hit it off Earl Wilson of the Detroit Tigers on April 23.
However, the Twins released him on May 15. Walt then joined the Triple-A Jacksonville Suns. But his health continued to decline, and he had to stop playing after only three games. He went into a hospital in Houston, Texas for treatment.
Walt Bond passed away at age 29 on September 14, 1967. His doctor, Dr. Hatch Cummings, spoke about Walt's amazing spirit. He said, "He showed the strength of character and will that only champions possess. It was an exhibition of courage, and in the best tradition of baseball."
Career Highlights
During his time in the big leagues, Walt Bond had 307 hits. These included 40 doubles, 11 triples, and 41 home runs. He also had 179 runs batted in. Walt Bond is remembered for his powerful hitting and his incredible bravery.
See also
- List of baseball players who died during their careers
