John Waltman
Class of 2016
John Waltman began his baseball career back in the Cumberland Maryland Midget League in the early 1940s, and he went on to be a star pitcher for the great Hyndman baseball teams of the post-World War II years.
Johnny Maher, a top major league scout for the St. Louis Browns (later bought out “lock, stock, and barrel” by the Baltimore Orioles), signed Waltman after a try-out in 1948
The Ellerslie native went onto pitch for the Browns’ affiliates at Pittsburg, Kansas; Anderson, South Carolina; York, Pennsylvania; and San Antonio, Texas (Class AA), which was the last stop to the majors for the lanky, fire-balling right-hander.
As a 22-year old, John made a strong impression on the Browns that they had considered moving him up to their major league roster. A brilliant relief stint in an exhibition game against the major league St. Louis club convinced the Browns’ “Big Brass” that Waltman was ready to be called up. He allowed only one hit in five innings and entered the game from the bullpen with the bases loaded and no outs. He got out of the jam unscathed. He fanned four of the starters for the Browns in that five-inning stretch.
But “Uncle Sam” pulled rank on the St. Louis Browns. He was already written up and photographed for Street and Smith’s Baseball Annual as one of the top right-handed pitching prospects, Waltman remained in Army khakis instead of Major League flannels.
When John was called into military service, he began pitching for the Brooke Medical Center team of Fort Sam Houston. He helped pitch that team to the semi-pro Southern Division title in Texas. Brooke won the event in three games with Waltman pitching two complete game wins including a no-hitter.
He later got a teaching job at Bedford High School and was a baseball coach for the Bisons.
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Johnny Maher, a top major league scout for the St. Louis Browns (later bought out “lock, stock, and barrel” by the Baltimore Orioles), signed Waltman after a try-out in 1948
The Ellerslie native went onto pitch for the Browns’ affiliates at Pittsburg, Kansas; Anderson, South Carolina; York, Pennsylvania; and San Antonio, Texas (Class AA), which was the last stop to the majors for the lanky, fire-balling right-hander.
As a 22-year old, John made a strong impression on the Browns that they had considered moving him up to their major league roster. A brilliant relief stint in an exhibition game against the major league St. Louis club convinced the Browns’ “Big Brass” that Waltman was ready to be called up. He allowed only one hit in five innings and entered the game from the bullpen with the bases loaded and no outs. He got out of the jam unscathed. He fanned four of the starters for the Browns in that five-inning stretch.
But “Uncle Sam” pulled rank on the St. Louis Browns. He was already written up and photographed for Street and Smith’s Baseball Annual as one of the top right-handed pitching prospects, Waltman remained in Army khakis instead of Major League flannels.
When John was called into military service, he began pitching for the Brooke Medical Center team of Fort Sam Houston. He helped pitch that team to the semi-pro Southern Division title in Texas. Brooke won the event in three games with Waltman pitching two complete game wins including a no-hitter.
He later got a teaching job at Bedford High School and was a baseball coach for the Bisons.
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Bedford County Sports Hall of Fame
Bedford County, Pennsylvania
Bedford County, Pennsylvania
Bedford County Sports
Hall of Fame
Class of 2016