Wally Kopf
Encyclopedia
Walter Henry "Wally" Kopf (July 10, 1899 – April 30, 1979) was a German American
professional baseball
player whose career spanned two seasons, which included one in Major League Baseball
(MLB) with the New York Giants
(1921). He played only two games, making his debut on October 1, 1921 and his final appearance the next day. In those games, he played third base
, compiling one hit
in three at bat
s. In 1922, he played in the minor leagues
with the Oakland Oaks
, Reading Aces, and the Newark Bears
. Before pro-baseball, Kopf attended Dartmouth College
(1919–21). He served in World War I
. After his baseball career was over, he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio
where he worked as a building contractor. He was the younger brother of professional baseball player Larry Kopf
.
to Lannie and Malone Kopf, who were both from Germany
. Wally Kopf had seven siblings; brothers Larry
, Otto, Herbert, and Frances; and sister Helen. His brother Larry was a professional baseball
player who played in Major League Baseball
(MLB) with the Cleveland Naps, Philadelphia Athletics, Cincinnati Reds
, and Boston Braves
for 10 seasons (1913–23). For three years, Wally Kopf attended Dartmouth College
(1919–1921). In 1918, after announcing he was enrolling in Dartmouth, The Washington Post
wrote that "Walter Kopf brother of the famous Benny [...] is said to be better than his big league brother". While college, he played basketball
and baseball
. In the latter sport, he played shortstop
. He served in the United States Armed Forces
during World War I
.
baseball with the Stamford, Connecticut
team in 1921. On September 12, 1921, he signed with the New York Giants
. He played two games that season, batting
.333 with one hit
, one base on balls
, and one strikeout
in three at bat
s. Defensively, he played third base
, turing one double play
in six total chances
. Although he didn't play, Kopf was a member of the Giants roster during the 1921 World Series
. He received part of the cash reward after the Giants won the World Series.
At the start of the 1922 season, Kopf was a member of the Giants second team
, which was compiled of players who were cut from New York's spring training
roster and and assigned to a team that played minor league
teams in Texas
. After his trial with the Giants second team, he was assigned to the Double-A Newark Bears
of the International League
. After a week with the Bears, Kopf was turned back to the Giants and manager
John McGraw
gave him an unconditional release. Later that year, he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Dodgers assigned Kopf to the Double-A Oakland Oaks
of the Pacific Coast League
. With the Oaks, he batted
.246 with 16 hits, and five doubles
in 20 games played. Brooklyn then assigned him to Newark Bears. Finally, the Dodgers sold Kopf to the Double-A Reading Aces of the International League. His combined totals in the International League that season was a batting average of .228 with 18 hits, three doubles, and two home runs in 23 games played.
Kopf played for a semi-professional
team in Upstate New York
after the 1922 season. He also played with a resort team in Vermont
. The Vancouver Sun
described Kopf as having a "football
throwing arm". In 1924, Kopf played for a semi-pro team named Simmons. In the mid-1920s, Kopf was a player-manager for the Ludlow, Kentucky
semi-pro baseball team. Kopf signed with the Class-A Little Rock Travelers
of the Southern Association
. With the Travelers, he batted .243 with 27 hits, four doubles, and three triples in 30 games played.
team in 1925. Walt Kopf was the head coach
of that team, which practiced at the YMCA
in the area. The two also played basketball in Cincinnati, Ohio
. Wally Kopf played the center
position.
. In 1965, he and his brother, Larry, attended an event put on by the Cincinnati Reds
called "Former Major Leaguers Day". He died on April 30, 1979 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was buried at the Calvary Cemetery in Cincinnati.
German American
German Americans are citizens of the United States of German ancestry and comprise about 51 million people, or 17% of the U.S. population, the country's largest self-reported ancestral group...
professional baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player whose career spanned two seasons, which included one in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
(MLB) with the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
(1921). He played only two games, making his debut on October 1, 1921 and his final appearance the next day. In those games, he played third base
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
, compiling one hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in three at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s. In 1922, he played in the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
with the Oakland Oaks
Oakland Oaks
Oakland Oaks may refer to:*Oakland Oaks , a minor league baseball team that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903 to 1955*Oakland Oaks , a professional ice hockey team that played in the Pacific Coast Hockey League from 1948 to 1949...
, Reading Aces, and the Newark Bears
Newark Bears
The Newark Bears are an American professional baseball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are a member of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 1999 season, the Bears have played their home games at Bears &...
. Before pro-baseball, Kopf attended Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
(1919–21). He served in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. After his baseball career was over, he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
where he worked as a building contractor. He was the younger brother of professional baseball player Larry Kopf
Larry Kopf
William Lorenz "Larry" Kopf , is a former professional baseball player who played infielder in the Major Leagues from to . He would play for the Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Athletics, Boston Braves and Cincinnati Reds.He was the brother of football coach Herbert M...
.
Early life
Kopf was born on July 10, 1899 in Stonington, ConnecticutStonington, Connecticut
The Town of Stonington is located in New London County, Connecticut, in the state's southeastern corner. It includes the borough of Stonington, the villages of Pawcatuck, Lords Point, Wequetequock, the eastern halves of the villages of Mystic and Old Mystic...
to Lannie and Malone Kopf, who were both from Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. Wally Kopf had seven siblings; brothers Larry
Larry Kopf
William Lorenz "Larry" Kopf , is a former professional baseball player who played infielder in the Major Leagues from to . He would play for the Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Athletics, Boston Braves and Cincinnati Reds.He was the brother of football coach Herbert M...
, Otto, Herbert, and Frances; and sister Helen. His brother Larry was a professional baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player who played in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
(MLB) with the Cleveland Naps, Philadelphia Athletics, Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, and Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for 10 seasons (1913–23). For three years, Wally Kopf attended Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
(1919–1921). In 1918, after announcing he was enrolling in Dartmouth, The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
wrote that "Walter Kopf brother of the famous Benny [...] is said to be better than his big league brother". While college, he played basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
and baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
. In the latter sport, he played shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
. He served in the United States Armed Forces
United States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Baseball career
Kopf played semi-professionalSemi-professional
A semi-professional athlete is one who is paid to play and thus is not an amateur, but for whom sport is not a full-time occupation, generally because the level of pay is too low to make a reasonable living based solely upon that source, thus making the athlete not a full professional...
baseball with the Stamford, Connecticut
Stamford, Connecticut
Stamford is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 122,643, making it the fourth largest city in the state and the eighth largest city in New England...
team in 1921. On September 12, 1921, he signed with the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. He played two games that season, batting
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.333 with one hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, one base on balls
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
, and one strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
in three at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s. Defensively, he played third base
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
, turing one double play
Double play
In baseball, a double play for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. In baseball slang, making a double play is referred to as "turning two"....
in six total chances
Total chances
In baseball statistics, total chances , also called chances offered, represents the number of plays in which a defensive player has participated. It is calculated as follows: Total Chances = assists + putouts + errors. Chances accepted refers to the total of putouts and assists only. Fielding...
. Although he didn't play, Kopf was a member of the Giants roster during the 1921 World Series
1921 World Series
In the 1921 World Series, the New York Giants beat the New York Yankees five games to three. This was the last of the experimental best-five-of-nine series....
. He received part of the cash reward after the Giants won the World Series.
At the start of the 1922 season, Kopf was a member of the Giants second team
Reserve team
Large professional sports clubs often have far more players under contract than could possibly play in a match. As a result, many of these clubs create second teams composed of players who need playing time, but have little hope of playing on the first team. The players on this second team are...
, which was compiled of players who were cut from New York's spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
roster and and assigned to a team that played minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
teams in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. After his trial with the Giants second team, he was assigned to the Double-A Newark Bears
Newark Bears
The Newark Bears are an American professional baseball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are a member of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 1999 season, the Bears have played their home games at Bears &...
of the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
. After a week with the Bears, Kopf was turned back to the Giants and manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
John McGraw
John McGraw
John McGraw may refer to:* John McGraw , , New York lumber tycoon, and one of the founding trustees of Cornell University* John McGraw , , Governor of Washington state from 1893–1897...
gave him an unconditional release. Later that year, he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Dodgers assigned Kopf to the Double-A Oakland Oaks
Oakland Oaks (PCL)
The Oakland Oaks were a minor league baseball team in Oakland, California that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903 through 1955, after which the club transferred to Vancouver, British Columbia...
of the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
. With the Oaks, he batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.246 with 16 hits, and five doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
in 20 games played. Brooklyn then assigned him to Newark Bears. Finally, the Dodgers sold Kopf to the Double-A Reading Aces of the International League. His combined totals in the International League that season was a batting average of .228 with 18 hits, three doubles, and two home runs in 23 games played.
Kopf played for a semi-professional
Semi-professional
A semi-professional athlete is one who is paid to play and thus is not an amateur, but for whom sport is not a full-time occupation, generally because the level of pay is too low to make a reasonable living based solely upon that source, thus making the athlete not a full professional...
team in Upstate New York
Upstate New York
Upstate New York is the region of the U.S. state of New York that is located north of the core of the New York metropolitan area.-Definition:There is no clear or official boundary between Upstate New York and Downstate New York...
after the 1922 season. He also played with a resort team in Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
. The Vancouver Sun
The Vancouver Sun
The Vancouver Sun is a daily newspaper first published in the Canadian province of British Columbia on February 12, 1912. The paper is currently published by the Pacific Newspaper Group, a division of Postmedia Network. It is published six days a week, Monday to Saturday...
described Kopf as having a "football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
throwing arm". In 1924, Kopf played for a semi-pro team named Simmons. In the mid-1920s, Kopf was a player-manager for the Ludlow, Kentucky
Ludlow, Kentucky
Ludlow is a city in Kenton County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 4,409 at the 2000 census. Ludlow is a suburb of Covington, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, Ohio, located on the Ohio River...
semi-pro baseball team. Kopf signed with the Class-A Little Rock Travelers
Little Rock Travelers
The Little Rock Travelers were an American minor league baseball team located in Little Rock, Arkansas and members of the Southern Association, which as a Class A, A1 or AA circuit was typically two rungs below Major League Baseball...
of the Southern Association
Southern Association
The Southern Association was a higher-level minor league in American organized baseball from 1901 through 1961. For most of its existence, the Southern Association was two steps below the Major Leagues; it was graded Class A , Class A1 and Class AA...
. With the Travelers, he batted .243 with 27 hits, four doubles, and three triples in 30 games played.
Basketball career
Kopf and his brother Larry played semi-professional basketball for the Coral Gables, FloridaCoral Gables, Florida
Coral Gables is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, southwest of Downtown Miami, in the United States. The city is home to the University of Miami....
team in 1925. Walt Kopf was the head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
of that team, which practiced at the YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
in the area. The two also played basketball in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
. Wally Kopf played the center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
position.
Later life
By 1930, Kopf lived in Cincinnati, Ohio with his wife, Virginia. He was working as a building contractor in Ohio after his playing career. On August 10, 1935, Kopf, who was the building contractor on a project in Cincinnati found a Muscogee people burial groundCemetery
A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...
. In 1965, he and his brother, Larry, attended an event put on by the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
called "Former Major Leaguers Day". He died on April 30, 1979 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was buried at the Calvary Cemetery in Cincinnati.