Walt Lerian

From BR Bullpen

Walter Irvin Lerian (Peck)

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 5' 11", Weight 170 lb.

Debut April 16, 1928
Final Game October 5, 1929
Born February 10, 1903 in Baltimore, MD USA
Died October 22, 1929 in Baltimore, MD USA

Walt "Peck" Lerian was a product of the Baltimore sandlots and played briefly for the Baltimore Orioles during Spring Training 1921. Baltimore owner/manager Jack Dunn farmed Lerian out to the Waynesboro Villagers of the Blue Ridge League for the 1921 season where he led the league's catchers in fielding percentage and was named to the post-season All-Star team with honorable mention.

Still under contract with Dunn's Orioles, Lerian was not satisfied with the terms offered for the 1922 season. Due to the reserve clause then in effect he was unable to refuse Dunn's terms without leaving organized baseball for a full year. Lerian sat out the season, earning his independence.

During his 1922 holdout he played for the newly formed, then quickly dissolved Ephrata (PA) semi-pro team. After Ephrata disbanded he moved to York (PA) to play for the local Acco club, also a semi-pro outfit.

While in the minor leagues Lerian also played professional basketball during the off-season. He starred on the highly regarded Hagerstown Elks club, at the time regarded as one of the top teams in the nation, and also played for the Baltimore city professional team.

In 1923 York joined the New York-Penn League with Lerian as their catcher. After two years as a fan favorite in York he was sold to Birmingham Barons in the Southern Association, where he started the 1925 season. When the Barons acquired former Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Cliff Knox, Lerian's services were no longer required. In May, 1925 he was sold to George Weiss's New Haven Profs, where he starred through 1927.

In an effort to raise capital, Weiss sold off many of the players from his 1927 Profs squad during Spring Training 1928, including Lerian. New Philadelphia Phillies manager Burt Shotton acquired Lerian to back up star catcher Jimmy Wilson in Philadelphia. Shortly after the 1928 season began Wilson was dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals and Lerian became the Phillies primary catcher, a position he held for two years. His standout play earned him a place on the 1928 Sporting News All-Rookie Team.

Just days after the conclusion of the 1929 season he was hit by a runaway truck while standing on a Baltimore street corner after attending Mass at St. Martin's Parish. The force of the collision knocked him into a brick wall, where he was pinned for hours before he could be rescued. His popularity and standing in the community prompted 50 men from St. Martin's to volunteer to donate blood to be given to Lerian in a transfusion (a very risky procedure at the time). One man was chosen and the transfusion performed, but Lerian died hours later.

The driver of the truck that hit Lerian was convicted of manslaughter and the company he was working for was ordered to pay Lerian's widowed mother $22,500. At the time of his death John McGraw was negotiating to bring Lerian to the New York Giants for the 1930 season. Lerian was eulogized as the "perfect Catholic gentleman" by his peers.