Walter Balash

Walter Balash

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 180 lb.

• Born December 1, 1918 in Auburn, NY USA
• Died September 23, 1977 in Auburn, NY USA

BR minors page

Biographical Information

Walter Balash pitched in the minor leagues from 1938 to 1950, missing 1943-1945 due to military service. He played in the Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Athletics, and Boston Red Sox systems.

Balash split his first season between the Auburn Bouleys and Ottawa Braves, going a combined 1-1 with a 5.45 ERA. In 1939, he was 14-10 with a 4.81 ERA for the Niagara Falls Rainbows. He tied for 4th in the PONY League in wins and led the league in hits allowed (216), runs (130) and earned runs (102). The next year, he was 6-10 with a 5.08 ERA for the Rainbows/Jamestown Falcons. With Jamestown in '41, he posted a 12-10, 4.34 record, tying for 6th in the PONY League in wins. During 1942, the right-hander improved to 15-8, 2.70 for the Hagerstown Suns, with only 45 walks in 203 innings. He was among the Interstate League leaders in wins (tied for 5th with John Burrows).

Returning to Hagerstown after the War, he struggled at 2-6, 4.98 in 1946. 1947 was no better, as he had a 8-16, 4.15 record for the Moline A's. He led the Central Association in several negative departments: defeats, hits allowed (254) and runs allowed (131). In 1948, he was back where he began, splitting time between Auburn and Ottawa (a combined 10-11, 4.14). During '49, the veteran turned in a last big year, going 18-8 with a 2.70 ERA for the Ottawa Senators. He was second in the Border League in wins (two behind Donald Bryant) and was 4th in ERA. He ended up in '50 with the Ottawa Nationals and Watertown Athletics, going 8-10 with a 4.07 ERA for the year.

Overall, Balash went 94-90 with a 4.01 ERA in 233 minor league games, also hitting .215.