Background
Matthews was born in Ashdown, Arkansas.
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Walt Matthews
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Career
A first baseman and outfielder, he began his professional career in the Saint Louis Cardinals organization in 1956 and remained in their system through 1959. He played for the Triple-A Omaha Cardinals in 1959. He joined the Milwaukee Braves system in 1960 (and played briefly at Triple-A again) before signing on with the Jacksonville Jets of the Houston Colt.45s system in 1961.
He remained in the Colt.45s/Astros system through 1967—mostly playing at Single A ball—hitting 30 home runs for the Durham Bulls in 1963 (then a club record.
In 1966, he managed the Salisbury Astros. In 1967, he skippered the Cocoa Astros.
His playing career ended after 1967. Overall, he batted.272 with 137 home runs a 1,134 hits in 1,230 games.
Following his playing and manager career, he became a scout for Houston, signing numerous players including Bill Doran, Johnny Ray and Robbie Wine.
He retired in 2012. He died on April 28, 2014 in Ashdown, Arkansas.
