Mother Watson

Walter L. Watson

• Bats Unknown, Throws Unknown
• Height 5' 9", Weight 145 lb.

• Debut May 19, 1887
• Final Game May 27, 1887
• Born January 27, 1865 in Middleport, OH USA
• Died November 23, 1898 in Middleport, OH USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Walter "Mother" Watson appeared in a couple major league games with the Cincinnati Red Stockings in 1887, on a team which went 81-54. Watson was 22 years old at the time. He pitched 14 innings, giving up 9 earned runs along with 9 unearned runs. He also played in the outfield but had no chances.

He is the only major leaguer named or nicknamed "Mother". A 1987 article in the New York Times said that he "was considered virtuous". However, that explanation of his nickname doesn't square with the fact that a "Mother Watson" was a character in Horatio Alger novels, and not a nice one. Perhaps, the fame of the novels made the name just too enticing for major leaguers of the time not to utilize when a man named Watson came along.

He is recorded as weighing only 145 pounds.

The Wheeling Daily Register, on March 30, 1887, reported that Watson was going to be given a trial by the Zanesville team, with expenses paid. While with Zanesville he beat the St. Louis Browns, which got him a shot at the majors.

One source thinks he belongs on the "All-Family Team" with Willie "Pops" Stargell, Grandma Murphy, and Uncle Robbie Robinson.

He died at age 33 after being shot.

Related Sites

• Mother Watson at the SABR Bio Project