Walt Lanfranconi

Who was Walt Lanfranconi?

Walter Oswald Lanfranconi was a Major League Baseball pitcher. The 155 lb. right-hander played for the Chicago Cubs and Boston Braves. His career was unusual in that he went almost six years between major league appearances.

Lanfranconi made his major league debut in relief against the Philadelphia Phillies at Wrigley Field. Twelve days later he started and lost 2–0 to All-Star Bucky Walters and the Cincinnati Reds. Then, as a 30-year-old in 1947, he went 4–4 with one save as a starter and reliever for the Braves. In one of his best games, he defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 7–1 in the nightcap of a 4th of July double-header at Shibe Park with 28,580 fans in attendance.

Career totals include a record of 4–5 in 38 games, 70 innings pitched, 19 strikeouts, and an ERA of 2.96.

Lanfranconi died in his hometown of Barre, Vermont at the age of 69.