Walla Walla, Washington, may be best known for its wine and wine culture, but did you know that this town in Southeast Washington has also produced a few professional baseball players, including a ballplayer turned Hollywood star?

History of Baseball in Walla Walla

Walla Walla, Washington, has a baseball history dating back to the late 1960s. This town, nestled in Washington's wine country, has hosted several amateur and minor professional baseball clubs. The Sweets, a team in a collegiate summer league, proudly call the city home.

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Walla Walla's Borleske Stadium (Photo: Sweets Baseball)
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Kurt Russell (Actor)

Before pursuing an acting career, Kurt Russell played second base for the Walla Walla Islanders in 1972. Russell continued playing minor league baseball until 1977 when he concluded his career with the Portland Mavericks, the famous independent team featured in the Netflix documentary "The Battered Bastards of Baseball."

2019 10th Annual TCM Classic Film Festival - Saturday
Russell attends the screening of 'Escape from New York' at the 2019 TCM 10th Annual Classic Film Festival on April 13, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for TCM)
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Russell on the Portland Mavericks after playing in Walla Walla
Russell on the Portland Mavericks after playing in Walla Walla (Ebay)
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Russell's Baseball card with stats from the Walla Walla Islanders
Russell's Baseball card with stats from the Walla Walla Islanders (Ebay)
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Tony Gwynn Jr. (MLB Hall of Famer)

"Mr. Padre" led the Northwest League with a .331 batting average and added 12 homers and 17 stolen bases in just 42 games with the Padres in Walla Walla in 1981, earning him the league's Most Valuable Player award.

Tony Gwynn Bobblehead with the Walla Walla Padres
Tony Gwynn Bobblehead with the Walla Walla Padres (Photo: Ebay)
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Ebay
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Ozzie Smith (MLB Hall of Famer)

Before starting his storied career with the St. Louis Cardinals, Ozzie Smith played with the Walla Walla Padres in 1977, where he batted .303.

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Ebay
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Ebay
Smith's card with Walla Walla stats Ebay
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John Kruk (former MLB All-Star)

The former 3-time All-Star, most notably with the Philadelphia Phillies, spent time with the Walla Walla Padres after being drafted by San Diego in 1981. Kruk played 63 games and hit just under .250. He is now well-known for his baseball broadcasting work.

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Kruk's card with Walla Walla Stats Ebay
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Ebay
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Major League Baseball Players who served in the military

MLB has seen many players who also served in the military, here are a few.

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