Walter Owens facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Walter Owens |
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| Pitcher / Outfielder | |||
| Born: August 19, 1933 Cleveland, Ohio |
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| Died: September 20, 2020 (aged 87) | |||
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Walter Owens (born August 19, 1933 – died September 20, 2020) was an amazing baseball player. He was a pitcher and an outfielder in the Negro Leagues. He batted and threw with his right hand.
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Walter's Early Life and College
Walter was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He grew up in Detroit. In high school, he helped his baseball team win three city championships. This earned him a scholarship to Western Michigan University. While at college, he also played basketball and ran track and field.
Playing in the Negro Leagues
During his college summers, Walter played for the Detroit Stars. This team was part of the Negro American League. He played for three seasons, from 1953 to 1955. To keep his college scholarship, he had to use a different name.
In one game, Walter faced the famous pitcher Satchel Paige. Walter got a single hit and also struck out in his two turns at bat. Even though Walter was a great player, a former Negro Leagues star named Turkey Stearnes told him to stay in school.
Becoming "Coach O"
Walter listened to the advice and earned two degrees from Western Michigan University. After college, he was offered a chance to play for the Indianapolis Clowns. But he decided to become a teacher instead.
Later, Walter became the baseball coach at Northwestern High School in Detroit. His players loved him and called him 'Coach O'. This nickname stayed with him his whole life. He was like a father figure to many of his players. He even helped future MLB All-Stars Willie Horton and Alex Johnson when they were young.
Walter kept playing softball in the DeKalb area until 2007. He was 76 years old when a stroke stopped him from playing.
A Lifetime of Coaching and Achievements
Walter Owens coached baseball and basketball for 54 years! He spent 34 of those years at Northern Illinois University. He retired in May 2007.
He achieved many great things:
- He coached three high school baseball championship teams.
- He coached four National Amateur baseball championship teams.
- He played against the Canadian Olympic basketball team.
- He also played against the famous Harlem Globetrotters.
- In 1955, he was part of a record-setting relay team in track and field.
- He helped start the National Congress of Black Faculty.
- In 1957, Walter helped break down racial barriers in Detroit baseball. He joined the all-white Detroit Pepsi-Cola team.
Honored by Major League Baseball
In 2008, Major League Baseball held a special draft. This draft honored the surviving Negro League players. These players were not allowed to play in the major leagues because of their race. Each MLB team chose a former Negro League player. Walter Owens was picked by the Chicago Cubs.
Awards and Recognition
In 2011, Walter received the E.B. Henderson Award. He was a professor at Northern Illinois University. This award honors people who have made big contributions to their community. Walter received it for fighting against racial discrimination in his job and in society. The award was given to him in San Diego, California.
