TTM Stats
- Sent: 5/17/2022 | Received: 8/4/2022 | 77 Days
- ’85 Fleer Update, ’87 Topps, ’89 Donruss Traded, ’90 Topps, ’93 Topps Stadium Club
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
- Sent: 12/19/2022 | Received: 1/31/2023 | 42 Days
- ’85 Topps, ’88 Fleer, ’90 Topps, ’92 Donruss, ’92 Fleer, ’92 Pinnacle
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
- Sent: 7/26/2023 | Received: 8/8/2023 | 12 Days
- ’85 Topps, ’88 Fleer, ’88 Topps, ’89 Donruss, ’89 Topps (2)
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
- Sent: 1/23/2024 | Received: 3/4/2024 | 41 Days
- ’84 Topps, ’85 Topps, ’89 Bowman, ’89 Fleer, ’89 Upper Deck
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
- Sent: 2/25/2025 | Received: 3/22/2025 | 27 Days
- ’87 Topps, ’89 Score, ’90 Donruss, ’90 Score, ’91 Topps
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
In the ever-changing world of Major League Baseball, consistency is a trait that often goes underappreciated. Walt Terrell, a durable and dependable starting pitcher through the 1980s and early ’90s, epitomized the blue-collar ethos of the game. Though he never reached ace status, Terrell built a solid career on resilience, toughness, and a competitive edge that helped him log over a decade of service in the big leagues.
Charles Walter Terrell was born on May 11, 1958, in Jeffersonville, Indiana. A standout athlete in high school, he went on to pitch for Morehead State, where he became a key contributor to the Longhorns’ highly regarded baseball program. His performance in college drew the attention of Major League scouts, and in 1980, Terrell was drafted in the 33rd round by the Texas Rangers. He would move quickly through the minors and make his MLB debut just two years later.
Big League Debut with the Mets
Terrell made his debut for the New York Mets on September 18, 1982, and by 1983, he was a full-time member of the rotation. In 1984, after a solid year in Queens, he became part of a pivotal trade that helped shape two franchises. The Mets dealt Terrell to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Howard Johnson, a trade that worked out well for both sides—Johnson became a power-hitting staple in New York, while Terrell became a reliable starter for a Detroit team that was just entering a golden era.
Terrell’s best years came in Detroit, where he played from 1985 to 1988. Though he narrowly missed being part of the 1984 World Series championship team (he arrived in December that offseason), he helped keep the Tigers competitive throughout the mid-to-late ’80s.
He won 15 games in both 1985 and 1986, and in 1987, he played a key role in helping the Tigers win the AL East, going 17–10 with a 4.05 ERA. That season, he also started Game 2 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) against the Minnesota Twins.
While Terrell never had overpowering stuff, he knew how to pitch. He featured a solid fastball, a sharp breaking ball, and great control, often pitching deep into games. In fact, he logged over 200 innings in seven different seasons, a testament to his durability and value to the teams he played for.
After his run in Detroit, Terrell bounced around the league, pitching for the San Diego Padres (1989), returning briefly to New York with the Yankees, then finishing his career with stints on the Pirates and a second go-round with the Tigers, who brought him back in 1990.
He wrapped up his MLB career in 1992, finishing with a record of 111–124, a 4.22 ERA, and 929 strikeouts in 1,986.2 innings pitched. While he never made an All-Star team, Terrell was often the kind of pitcher every team needs. Someone who could take the ball every fifth day and give his team a chance to win.
Though known for his pitching, Terrell made an unforgettable mark at the plate on August 20, 1983, while still with the Mets. Facing Cubs pitcher Fergie Jenkins, Terrell hit two home runs in one game — a rare feat for a pitcher and the only two homers of his entire MLB career. That moment remains a quirky and beloved footnote in his baseball story.
After retiring, Terrell largely stayed out of the public baseball spotlight, though he has made occasional appearances at old-timer’s events and Tigers alumni gatherings. Known for his sense of humor and affable personality, he’s remembered fondly by teammates and fans alike.
Walt Terrell may not be a name that headlines highlight reels, but he represents the kind of steady, durable, team-first pitcher who helped define baseball in the 1980s. In an era before pitch counts and strict bullpen usage, Terrell was the kind of starter who would grind through seven innings no matter the score, a manager’s dream and a clubhouse favorite.
From his dependable years in Detroit to his memorable home run exploits, Terrell carved out a meaningful and respected place in baseball history. For fans who appreciate the game’s grinders and unsung heroes, Walt Terrell is the perfect example of what it means to show up, compete, and leave it all on the field.
The Score on Walt Terrell – 7.0
Walt Terrell is one of my favorite TTM signers. There’s several reasons for that, but it probably starts with the consistency of his returns and the quality of his signature. Of course it doesn’t hurt that he was a Met! He’s got a good size to his signature and it always seems like he signs in a way to not get his autograph mixed up into the image at all.
Thanks Mr. Terrell! I’m giving these returns a 7 overall.
These are not the first returns that I’ve received from him. To see the other successful returns, check out these posts:
>>> READ MORE ABOUT MY AUTOGRAPH SCORING SYSTEM <<<
Thanks for visiting BravestarrCards.com: Card Collecting and TTM Autographs.
Information gathered using Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.