Walt Slagle

Walter Jennings Slagle

• Bats Both, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 165 lb.

• Debut May 4, 1910
• Final Game May 4, 1910
• Born December 15, 1878 in Kenton, OH USA
• Died June 17, 1974 in San Gabriel, CA USA

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Biographical Information

Walt Slagle's only major league game was attended by President William Howard Taft, although Taft didn't stay for the entire game. Walt was 31 years old when he got to the big leagues, and pitched one inning. Although he gave up no hits, he did allow three walks and had one hit-batsman. His game was for the Cincinnati Reds against the St. Louis Cardinals, on May 4, 1910, in St. Louis. In order not to offend either club in St. Louis that day, President taft attended both the Cardinals' game at Robison Field and the one between the St. Louis Browns and Cleveland Naps at Sportsman's Park. The President's desire to be present at both games explains why he only saw part of them.

Walt's minor league career ran from at least 1898 to 1917. Among other stops, he had three seasons with the St. Paul Saints, parts of four with the Indianapolis Indians, and a couple with the minor league Los Angeles Angels. He won in double figures at least nine times, notching 20 victories in 1908.

He is apparently not related to Jimmy Slagle, whose major league career had ended a couple years before Walt came to the majors.

He came down with the Spanish Flu in 1918 but survived. [1]