Walter "Biff" Schaller (1889-1939): MLB Player & Pacific Coast League Star

Biff Schaller

Plot 65 Grave 104

Walter "Biff" Schaller (September 23, 1889 – October 9, 1939) was an American professional baseball outfielder whose career spanned from 1910 to 1920. He played two seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Detroit Tigers in 1911 and the Chicago White Sox in 1913, and had a significant presence in the minor leagues, particularly in the Pacific Coast League (PCL).​

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Schaller began his professional baseball journey in 1910. His early career saw him playing for the Kansas City Blues of the American Association during the 1911 and 1912 seasons. His performance there paved the way for his entry into the major leagues.​

Schaller made his MLB debut with the Detroit Tigers on April 30, 1911. During his tenure with the Tigers, he played in various positions: seven games in left field, nine in center field, one at first base, and made 23 appearances as a pinch hitter. Over 60 at-bats, he recorded a batting average of .133. After one season, he was released from the Tigers.​

In 1913, Schaller joined the Chicago White Sox. He played 32 games in the outfield and had 96 at-bats, achieving a batting average of .219. His major league career concluded on July 21, 1913.​

Joe Berger (L) Walter "Biff" Schaller (center) & Kid Gleason (R) Chicago White Sox

Following his time in the majors, Schaller had a notable minor league career, especially in the PCL. He played for the San Francisco Seals from 1913 to 1917 and returned in 1919, also spending time with the Seattle Rainiers and Portland Beavers during the 1919 and 1920 seasons.​

Between 1914 and 1917, Schaller appeared in 807 games for the Seals and set a PCL record by playing in 642 consecutive games. In the 1915 season, he played 208 games, compiled a .301 batting average, and led the league with 20 home runs. Defensively, he recorded 441 putouts and 20 assists with a .957 fielding percentage.​

In the 1917 season, Schaller maintained a strong performance with a .314 batting average over 181 games, contributing significantly to the Seals' PCL pennant win that year.​

Schaller was known for his humorous misuse of the English language. During a batting slump, he reportedly said, "the high multitude of Salt Lake City bothers me." He also summarized his baseball philosophy by stating, "What's the use to get excited. It's either dis or dat."​

After retiring from baseball, Schaller settled in Emeryville, California, where he lived for the last 15 years of his life. He operated a bar in the Oakland area. Schaller and his wife, Lucille, had a daughter named Lorraine. On October 9, 1939, Schaller died of a heart attack at his home in Emeryville. He was laid to rest at Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland, California.​

Career Statistics

Major League Baseball:

• Batting Average: .186​

• Hits: 29​

• Home Runs: 1​

• Runs Batted In (RBIs): 11

• Stolen Bases: 6​

Pacific Coast League Highlights:

• 1915 Season: .301 batting average, 20 home runs, 208 games played.​

• 1917 Season: .314 batting average, contributing to the Seals' pennant win.​

Sources: Oakland Tribune, MLB, Wikipedia, Ancestry.com