P. J. Walters
Encyclopedia
Phillip DeWayne "P. J." Walters (born March 12, 1985) is an American
professional baseball
pitcher
who is a free agent.
. He is married to Brittney.
Walter's daughter, Annabelle, was born on February 10, 2010, about 14 weeks premature. She had several complications related to her premature birth, and Walters was back and forth from spring training to be with his wife, including their daughter's surgery. On April 3, 2010, Annabelle Walters died at the hospital in Mobile, Alabama.
(346th overall) from the University of South Alabama
following his junior year, in which he had a 2-1 record, with eight saves and a 3.56 ERA.
Walters climbed three levels in , and spent most of in Triple-A Memphis
. He went 9-4 for the Cardinals' top affiliate, with a 4.87 ERA over 122 innings.
Walters made his major league debut on April 17, , as the starting pitcher against the Chicago Cubs
. He had been called up when Chris Carpenter
was placed on the 15-day disabled list
. He became the first Cardinals rookie to make his first major-league start at Wrigley Field
in nearly three decades. On September 15, 1980, Andy Rincon
debuted for the Cardinals against the rival Cubs.
He pitched 4.0 innings, leading 4-3 in the game before replaced, pitching against veteran Carlos Zambrano
, giving up 6 hits (one hit was a double), 3 runs (all earned), walked 2, struck out 7, and has a 6.75 ERA. He faced 19 batters, threw 98 pitches (59 for strikes), with 4 groundouts and 1 fly out.
On July 7, 2011, Walters had his contract purchased by St. Louis.
On July 25, 2011, Walters gave up a grand slam
to Houston Astros
outfielder Carlos Lee
. This made Walters and Lee the first pair of players in MLB history in which the batter (Lee) hit grand slams in each of his only two at bats against the pitcher (Walters).
along with Colby Rasmus
, Brian Tallet
and Trever Miller
for Edwin Jackson
, Octavio Dotel
, Marc Rzepczynski
and Corey Patterson
. He pitched 1 inning for the Blue Jays (giving up an earned run) before being demoted to the minor leagues. In the remaining months of 2011, he went 1-3 with an 8.38 ERA in Triple-A, and was not called back to the Blue Jays that year. After the 2011 season, he elected for free agency.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional 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...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who is a free agent.
Personal life
Walters was born March 12, 1985, in Dothan, AlabamaDothan, Alabama
Dothan is a city located in the southeastern corner of the US state of Alabama, situated approximately west of the Georgia state line and north of Florida. It is the seat of Houston County, with portions extending into nearby Dale County and Henry County...
. He is married to Brittney.
Walter's daughter, Annabelle, was born on February 10, 2010, about 14 weeks premature. She had several complications related to her premature birth, and Walters was back and forth from spring training to be with his wife, including their daughter's surgery. On April 3, 2010, Annabelle Walters died at the hospital in Mobile, Alabama.
St. Louis Cardinals
Walters was drafted by the Cardinals in the 11th round of the 2006 player draft2006 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2006 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 6 and 7. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.-First Round Selections:...
(346th overall) from the University of South Alabama
University of South Alabama
The University of South Alabama is a public, doctoral-level university in Mobile, Alabama, USA. It was created by the Alabama Legislature in 1963, and replaced existing extension programs operated in Mobile by the University of Alabama. No other areas of the state were willing to support such a...
following his junior year, in which he had a 2-1 record, with eight saves and a 3.56 ERA.
Walters climbed three levels in , and spent most of in Triple-A Memphis
Memphis Redbirds
The Memphis Redbirds are the Triple-A minor league baseball affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They play their home games at AutoZone Park in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. The stadium's capacity is 14,320. They entered the Pacific Coast League as an expansion team in 1998, and were owned as a...
. He went 9-4 for the Cardinals' top affiliate, with a 4.87 ERA over 122 innings.
Walters made his major league debut on April 17, , as the starting pitcher against the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. He had been called up when Chris Carpenter
Chris Carpenter
Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the...
was placed on the 15-day disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
. He became the first Cardinals rookie to make his first major-league start at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
in nearly three decades. On September 15, 1980, Andy Rincon
Andy Rincon
Andrew John Rincon is a former Major League Baseball pitcher born in Monterey Park, California on March 5, 1959. He was drafted out of St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs California by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 5th round of the 1977 Major League Baseball Draft. He was a "September...
debuted for the Cardinals against the rival Cubs.
He pitched 4.0 innings, leading 4-3 in the game before replaced, pitching against veteran Carlos Zambrano
Carlos Zambrano
Carlos Alberto Zambrano is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher with the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball. Zambrano, who stands 6' 5" and weighs 260 pounds, was signed by the Cubs as a free agent in 1997 and made his debut in 2001...
, giving up 6 hits (one hit was a double), 3 runs (all earned), walked 2, struck out 7, and has a 6.75 ERA. He faced 19 batters, threw 98 pitches (59 for strikes), with 4 groundouts and 1 fly out.
On July 7, 2011, Walters had his contract purchased by St. Louis.
On July 25, 2011, Walters gave up a grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
to Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
outfielder Carlos Lee
Carlos Lee
Carlos Noriel Lee is a first basemen in Major League Baseball who plays for the Houston Astros. He bats and throws right-handed....
. This made Walters and Lee the first pair of players in MLB history in which the batter (Lee) hit grand slams in each of his only two at bats against the pitcher (Walters).
Toronto Blue Jays
On July 27, 2011, he was traded to the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
along with Colby Rasmus
Colby Rasmus
Colby Ryan Rasmus is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.-Early years:...
, Brian Tallet
Brian Tallet
Brian Curtis Tallet is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He stands 6' 6" in height. Brian Tallet pitched for the LSU Tigers and won a national championship in 2000....
and Trever Miller
Trever Miller
Trever Douglas Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-High school:...
for Edwin Jackson
Edwin Jackson
Edwin Jackson is an American professional baseball pitcher.-Early life:Jackson's father, Edwin Jackson, Sr., a military cook, was stationed in Germany at the time of his birth. Jackson is one of 27 major league players who were born in Germany...
, Octavio Dotel
Octavio Dotel
Octavio Eduardo Dotel is a Domincan professional baseball pitcher who is currently a Free Agent....
, Marc Rzepczynski
Marc Rzepczynski
Marc Walter Rzepczynski is an American professional baseball left-handed pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.The Toronto Blue Jays blogosphere gave Rzepczynski the nickname "Scrabble".-Amateur career:...
and Corey Patterson
Corey Patterson
Donald Corey Patterson is an American professional baseball free agent outfielder in Major League Baseball. He is the older brother of outfielder Eric Patterson.-Amateur career:...
. He pitched 1 inning for the Blue Jays (giving up an earned run) before being demoted to the minor leagues. In the remaining months of 2011, he went 1-3 with an 8.38 ERA in Triple-A, and was not called back to the Blue Jays that year. After the 2011 season, he elected for free agency.