Wally Roettger

Walter Henry Roettger (August 28, 1902 – September 14, 1951) was a professional baseball player who was an outfielder in the major leagues from  to . He played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, New York Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates, being a member of the 1931 World Series champion Cardinals.

In 599 games played, Roettger batted .285 (556-1949) with 192 runs scored, 19 home runs and 245 RBI in eight major league seasons. In the 1931 World Series, he hit .286 (4-14). His career fielding percentage was .986 at all three outfield positions.

Biography
Roettger attended the University of Illinois, graduating in 1924.  While at Illinois, he played basketball and baseball. In 1931 while playing for the Cardinals, he got the first hit (off Lefty Grove) and scored the first run in the 1931 World Series.

He became the head coach for baseball at the University of Illinois from 1935 to 1951 and an assistant coach for basketball from 1936 to 1949.

Roettger committed suicide in Champaign, Illinois.

Roettger had two brothers who were involved in Major League Baseball. Hal Roettger served as an assistant to baseball executive Branch Rickey for nearly 20 years until he died unexpectedly in the swimming pool of a Florida motel in 1955. Oscar Roettger was a major league pitcher and first baseman who later coached minor league baseball.

References

External links
, or Retrosheet
 

Category:1902 births
Category:1951 deaths
Category:American men's basketball players
Category:Major League Baseball outfielders
Category:Cincinnati Reds players
Category:New York Giants (NL) players
Category:Pittsburgh Pirates players
Category:St. Louis Cardinals players
Category:Illinois Fighting Illini baseball coaches
Category:Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball coaches
Category:Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball players
Category:Illinois Wesleyan Titans men's basketball coaches
Category:Sportspeople from St. Louis
Category:Baseball players from Missouri
Category:American people of German descent
Category:Baseball players who committed suicide
Category:Male suicides
Category:Suicides by sharp instrument in the United States
Category:Suicides in Illinois
Category:Forwards (basketball)