May 14, 1881

Edward Augustine Walsh was born in Pennsylvania to a family of Irish immigrants. At age 12, he began working in the coal fields. He grew to be 6′.1″ and at 193 lbs became known at “Big Ed.” In 1902, urged on by a friend, he tried out for the Wilkes-Barre baseball team. He joined the Chicago White Sox in 1904, becoming one of the top pitchers in the American league. Walsh is known for his spitball, which is now illegal. After his career ended, he coached the White Sox for several years and then coached baseball at Notre Dame University. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946. Walsh died on May 26, 1959. His son, Ed Walsh, also had a career with the White Sox.