By Taylor J. Hale

Walt Wilmot.

Reporter

PLOVER — Few towns have a sports legend buried deep in their history books. Plover’s very own Walter Robert Wilmot made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut on April 20, 1888, at age 24, and helped pave a path for future Wisconsin athletes.

“Walt was a borderline superstar,” wrote a visual storyteller on social media. “1889: His 19 triples led the National League. 1890: His 13 home runs, in the dead ball era, for the Chicago Cubs led the National League. Walt also led the league in most games played in 1890.”

The accolades of the Portage County baseball veteran go on. Wilmot’s 10 season MLB career- saw him playing with the Washington Nationals, Chicago Colts, and New York Giants. The Chicago Colts are now the Cubs, a name switch gradually occurred around 1902, when “Cubs” first ran in print.

Wilmot still holds the Cubs single-game record for most bases on balls, achieved in 1891. He was also one of only two professional players to be hit twice with a batted ball in the history of the game, the other being Ernest Short, who was a pitcher. It is assumed his skills and dedication inspired many legendary players.

“Walt’s baseball playing career was from 1888-1898,” wrote the social media storyteller. “Babe Ruth was 3-years-old when Wilmot hung up his spikes. At one time, Wilmot was the highest-paid player in the major leagues.”

The athlete’s tremendous zeal for the sport was remarkable. He primarily was featured as an outfielder and batter. He has an impressive career wins above replacement (WAR) of 14.3, and he carries a runs batted in (RBI) of 594. The last season he played was in 1898 with the Giants.

Photo: Taylor Hale.

Wilmot died in Chicago on Feb. 1, 1929, at the age of 65. The baseball star is now resting in the Plover Cemetary in a family plot. Portage County will not soon forget his enormous accomplishments.

To read the original social media post visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/39940799653/permalink/10156825365024654/.

For sources and additional info visit:

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=wilmowa01

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wilmowa01.shtml#all_transactions_other