Fred Walters
Fred James Walters was a backup catcher in Major League Baseball who played briefly for the Boston Red Sox during the season. Listed at and —and nicknamed "Whale"—Walters batted and threw right-handed. He was signed by the Red Sox in 1937 out of Mississippi State University.
A native of Laurel, Mississippi, Walters was one of many players who only appeared in the majors during World War II. He was a.172 hitter with two runs, two doubles, one stolen base, and five RBI without home runs in 40 games. In 38 catching appearances he posted a.993 fielding percentage. His professional playing career extended for 11 seasons. In June 1946, he abruptly became the player-manager of the Triple-A Louisville Colonels during the six-week suspension of skipper Nemo Leibold and led the squad to a sparkling 34–12 record. The following season, he piloted the Double-A Birmingham Barons to the Southern Association championship.
Walters left baseball after the 1950 season, which he spent as manager of the Chattanooga Lookouts, eventually became a sheriff in Mississippi,. and died in his hometown of Laurel at the age of 67.
