Walter Fiala

Walter Anthony Fiala (Butsy)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 9", Weight 170 lb.

• Born September 24, 1924
• Died November 5, 1988 in West Springfield, MA USA

BR register page

Biographical Information

After serving in the Marine Corps during World War II, infielder Walter Fiala played for a decade in the Brooklyn Dodgers farm system. While with the Thomasville Dodgers in 1946, he led the North Carolina State League with a .352 batting average. After spending the next three summers with the Fort Worth Cats, he played several years with the Montreal Royals, where his roommate was Tommy Lasorda. Overall, he spent 4 1/2 years at AAA but his road to the majors was blocked by players such as Jackie Robinson, Gil Hodges and Pee Wee Reese.

Following his baseball career, Fiala worked in law enforcement. He died at age 64.