Zebadiah Griffin Walker, born October 19th, 1924 in Trout, LA,1
2
was a professional baseball player from 1952-1954.
Biography
Walker was the son of Wesley E. Walker and Vinnetta (nee Holly) Walker. He grew up in rural Louisiana before moving to Dermott, AR as a youth.3
Walker, a small4 left-handed pitcher, played professionally with the Kansas City Royals negro team team around 1951,5 and also perhaps in Canada.6 He debuted in minor league baseball in early 1952 with the Tuscon Cowboys of the Arizona-Texas League.7 He was also briefly signed by the Yuma Panthers in the Southwest International League.8 The following year, he played with Victoria in the Western International League. His final appearance in professional baseball was in 1954 with the Visalia Cubs of California League.
Walker died on September 29th, 1993 in Los Angeles, CA.9
Excerpts
"The first two Negroes on the roster of the Tucson (Southwest International) club have been signed by Manager Don Jameson. They are catcher Leroy Pettus, who played in Canada, and Zeb Walker, who was with the Kansas City Royals last season."10
Stats
Statistics at Baseball-Reference.com.
Biography
Walker was the son of Wesley E. Walker and Vinnetta (nee Holly) Walker. He grew up in rural Louisiana before moving to Dermott, AR as a youth.3
Walker, a small4 left-handed pitcher, played professionally with the Kansas City Royals negro team team around 1951,5 and also perhaps in Canada.6 He debuted in minor league baseball in early 1952 with the Tuscon Cowboys of the Arizona-Texas League.7 He was also briefly signed by the Yuma Panthers in the Southwest International League.8 The following year, he played with Victoria in the Western International League. His final appearance in professional baseball was in 1954 with the Visalia Cubs of California League.
Walker died on September 29th, 1993 in Los Angeles, CA.9
Excerpts
"The first two Negroes on the roster of the Tucson (Southwest International) club have been signed by Manager Don Jameson. They are catcher Leroy Pettus, who played in Canada, and Zeb Walker, who was with the Kansas City Royals last season."10
Stats
Statistics at Baseball-Reference.com.
1
Walker's WWII draft card (accessed at Fold3.com). Walker's The Sporting News contract card gives his birth as 10/19/1929 in Dermott, AR.
4
Walker's WWII draft card lists his height at 5'8 and weight as 144. Alternatively, his The Sporting News contract card lists him as 6'0 170 lbs.
10
The Sporting News, 1/30/1952