Walter Henry McCredie (November 9, 1876 – July 29, 1934) was an American professional baseball outfielder and manager.
He earned a law degree in 1900, intending to transition into a career as a lawyer, but chose to continue in baseball instead.
[1] McCredie made his professional baseball debut with the Des Moines Prohibitionists of the Western Association in 1896.
McCredie played for the Youngstown Little Giants of the Interstate League in 1899,[3] but broke his leg sliding into a base, which ended his season.
[1] McCredie began the 1900 season with the New Castle Quakers of the Interstate League[4] and also played for the Sioux City Cornhuskers of the Western Association.
[1][2] As manager, McCredie was credited with the development of Dave Bancroft, Roger Peckinpaugh, Charlie Hollocher, Lu Blue, Billy Southworth, and Babe Pinelli.
Also, Judge McCredie established the Portland Colts, a Class B Northwestern League that operated as a Beavers farm team.
McCredie released Akana after a few weeks,[1][14] but told The Oregonian that "I don't think the color of skin ought to be a barrier in baseball ...
Here in the Pacific Coast League we have a Mexican and a Hawaiian and yet the laws of baseball bar Negroes from organized diamonds ...
Due to the mobilization of the United States home front during World War I, the PCL played a shortened schedule for the 1918 season and dropped Portland from the league for the year.
[27] McCredie resigned from Mission in May 1926 due to poor health,[28][29] but he continued to scout for the Tigers.
[31] He was limited by his poor health and was fired at the end of April, with George Burns taking his place as manager.
Vean Gregg, Irv Higginbotham, Gus Fisher, Carl Mays, and other players set up a benefit game for McCredie.