About Wally Moon A Message from the Moon Children: Wally Joe, Zola, Elizabeth, Mary and LaRhesa If you came of age during the "Golden Era" of major league baseball, sometime during the decade between the early 1950's and 1960's, then there is a good chance you remember the name Wally Moon. From 1954 to 1965, Moon's plate discipline and sound fundamentals made him one of the game's steadiest producers. But, if you only knew Wally Moon from the numbers on the back of his bubblegum card, then you didn't know the man's whole story, our father's story. Our grandfather, a proud man himself who lived in relatively meager circumstances, kept his youngest son focused on academic achievement first and foremost. So, despite significant athletic ability and the lure of professional baseball, Dad left the cotton fields of far northeastern Arkansas, not for the bright lights of the big leagues, at least not yet, but for the education available at Texas A&M University. Our father finally signed his pro baseball contract in 1950. He then spent four years in the minors before finally making the St. Louis Cardinals' big-league roster and starting lineup in 1954. He stayed a fixture in St. Louis until injuries curtailed his numbers during the 1958 season. Never one to make excuses, Dad was traded at the end of that year to the Los Angeles Dodgers and vowed to make an impact with his new team. And what an impact he did make. Dad helped the Dodgers became a powerhouse, and the team won three World Series titles from 1959 to 1965. Los Angeles was fertile soil for our family in other ways, too. For one thing, our numbers, his children, grew to five. With baseball salaries nowhere near what they are today, Dad held a great off-season job as an executive with a boat-building company. And, much to our delight, Dad even made time for a guest spot on one of our favorite television series, "Wagon Train". We don't think it would be too much of a stretch to suggest that our father was a baseball renaissance man, and, arguably, he proved that after retiring as a player to become a coach and teacher for the next 30 years. He and Mom, Bettye, were great parents, too. We think we've all turned out pretty well, thanks to the values instilled in us by our parents. With a keen understanding of baseball, a savvy business mind, and an unyielding spiritual faith, our Dad, Wally Moon, continues to leave a lasting legacy. While this Web site focuses on his numerous baseball achievements, we want you also to understand that we're proud of everything he has accomplished in life, win or lose, on the field or off, and that, as a man--husband, father and grandfather--we think he would be deserving of this kind of recognition even if he'd never picked up a baseball bat.   Looking Back Bettye Moon Bettye Moon remembers her husband, Wally, making his first major league roster with the St. Louis Cardinals on the eve of the 1954 season. The Redbirds made room for Moon by trading fan favorite--and future Hall-of Famer--Enos Slaughter, igniting a groundswell of criticism against Bettye's then 24-year-old husband. Wally Joe Moon Kingsville, Texas The eldest of Wally Moon's five children and the only son, Wally Joe Moon, was born at the outset of Wally's big-league baseball career. Later, son had the privilege of playing for his father during Wally's tenure as head baseball coach and athletic director at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Zola Moon Fayetteville, Arkansas Wally's oldest daughter, Zola, remembers her parents' strict rule never to talk to strangers--or anyone else--about conversations involving her parents at home. Mary Sherrer San Antonio, TX Too young at the time to remember Wally's final seasons with the Dodgers, daughter Mary has many fond and memorable recollections of her "famous" father's interactions with baseball fans through the years. LaRhesa Moon Pollock San Antonio, Texas Wally's youngest daughter was born in southern California, but grew up in Arkansas as her father guided the baseball fortunes at John Brown University. Later, the Moon family moved to San Antonio as Wally purchased controlling interest in that city's Texas League franchise.