Wally Bunker

Wallace Edward Bunker

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 197 lb.
• High School Capuchino High School
• Debut September 29, 1963
• Final Game May 26, 1971
• Born January 25, 1945 in Seattle, WA USA

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Biographical Information

“One day you’re skipping school to watch the Giants play in the ’62 Series against the Yankees... (Two years later), you’re pitching against Mickey Mantle.” - Wally Bunker, to Jeff Faraudo, March 5, 2008

Pitcher Wally Bunker pitched nine seasons in the majors and is best remembered for his very successful rookie campaign.

Signed by the Baltimore Orioles out of high school, Bunker made his pro debut in 1963 with the Stockton Ports, going 10-1 with a 2.55 ERA in 14 starts. That earned him a September call up to the majors, and he made one start, giving up 6 earned runs in 4 innings against the Detroit Tigers on September 29th, taking the loss. As a 19-year-old, he earned a spot in the O's rotation in 1964 and, in his first outing that year, on May 5th, he threw a one-hitter against the Washington Senators. He won his first 6 starts and, overall, he went 19-5 with a 2.69 ERA for Baltimore. He finished second in American League Rookie of the Year voting to Tony Oliva. Bunker won 10 games in both 1965 and 1966 and hurled a shutout in Game 3 of the 1966 World Series, as the Orioles swept the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, he won only 5 games over the next two seasons before being taken by the Kansas City Royals in the 1968 expansion draft. He won a dozen games in the team's inaugural season, leading the pitching staff, but only recorded 4 more big league wins after that. He was out of baseball before his 28th birthday.

Notable Achievements

• 1964 Topps All-Star Rookie Team
• AL Winning Percentage Leader (1964)
• 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (1964)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 2 (1964 & 1969)
• Won a World Series with the Baltimore Orioles in 1966

Related Sites

• Wally Bunker at the SABR Bio Project