Walter Thornton

Born: 2/18/1875 in Peoria, IL, USA

Died: 7/14/1960 in Los Angeles, CA, USA

MLB Debut: 1895-07-01 | Final Game: 1898-10-08

Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 180 lbs

Full name: Walter Miller Thornton

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Biography

Walter Thornton, born in 1875, was a professional baseball pitcher whose career spanned from 1895 to 1907. He made his mark in a time when baseball was evolving, transitioning from the rough-and-tumble days of the deadball era to a more organized and strategic game. Over his career, Thornton compiled a record of 23 wins and 18 losses, with an earned run average (ERA) of 4.18. His ability to strike out batters was notable, as he recorded 134 strikeouts, showcasing his skill in overpowering hitters. Additionally, he recorded one save, highlighting his versatility and capability to close out games when called upon. Thornton's playing style was characterized by a strong competitive spirit and a dedication to the craft of pitching. His contributions to the teams he played for during the late 19th century reflected the growing emphasis on pitching acumen and strategy that would come to define the game in the years following his retirement. Though his career was relatively brief, ending in 1908, Thornton remains a part of baseball history, representing a pivotal era in the sport's development.

Career Pitching Statistics

W	L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO	ERA	Pitcher PIV
23	18	56	48	40	2	1	409.3	478	190	12	151	134	4.18	0

Career ERA 4.18 vs. league average 4.23 across their career seasons — near league average.

Season-by-Season Pitching

Year	Team	Lg	W	L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	IP	H	ER	BB	SO	ERA	Lg ERA	Pitcher PIV
1895	CHC	NL	2	0	7	2	2	0	1	40.0	58	27	31	13	6.08	4.77 (-27%)	-
1896	CHC	NL	2	1	5	5	2	0	0	23.7	30	15	13	10	5.70	4.36 (-31%)	-
1897	CHC	NL	6	7	16	16	15	0	0	130.3	164	68	51	55	4.70	4.30 (-9%)	-
1898	CHC	NL	13	10	28	25	21	2	0	215.3	226	80	56	56	3.34	3.59 (+7%)	-

Career Batting Statistics

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	PIV
154	519	83	162	15	9	1	77	23	60	33	0.312	0.390	0.382	0.771	660.9

Career AVG .312 vs. league average .287 across their career seasons — +8.8% above league average.

Career OBP .390 vs. league average .350 across their career seasons — +11.2% above league average.

Career SLG .382 vs. league average .379 across their career seasons — near league average.

Career OPS 0.771 vs. league average 0.730 across their career seasons — +5.7% above league average.

Season-by-Season Batting

Year	Team	Lg	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	AVG	Lg AVG	Lg OBP	Lg SLG	Lg OPS	PIV
1895	CHC	NL	8	22	4	7	1	0	1	7	0	3	1	0.318	—	—	—	—	0.0
1896	CHC	NL	9	22	6	8	0	1	0	1	2	5	2	0.364	—	—	—	—	0.0
1897	CHC	NL	75	265	39	85	9	6	0	55	13	30	16	0.321	.291 (+10%)	.354 (+13%)	.387 (+3%)	.741 (+8%)	510.6
1898	CHC	NL	62	210	34	62	5	2	0	14	8	22	14	0.295	.270 (+9%)	.333 (+8%)	.347 (-3%)	.680 (+3%)	150.3