University Southern California Trojans
Walt Peterson, USC All-American Pitcher Who Won 1963 College World Series Final, Dies
October 16, 2019 | Baseball, Features
LOS ANGELES--Walt Peterson, an All-American pitcher at USC who pitched a 9-strikeout complete game to lead the Trojans to a 5-2 victory over Arizona in the championship contest of the 1963 College World Series, died after a battle with lung cancer on Oct. 1 in Newport Beach, Calif. He was 76.
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A funeral service will be held on Oct. 23 at 10 a.m. at St. Simon & Jude Church, 20444 Magnolia St., Huntington Beach, Calif. 92646.
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The right-handed Peterson was a 2-year (1963-64) letterman at USC. He went 13-4 with a 2.27 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 1963 to earn All-American second team honors, then was an All-American first teamer in 1964 behind a 17-3 record with a 1.54 ERA and a then-school record 116 strikeouts. His 288 career strikeouts was a USC record, as was his 1.92 career ERA.Â
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He earned All-Conference and All-District first team honors both seasons at USC. He also made the All-College World Series team in 1963. USC also advanced to the College World Series in 1964 but lost a pair of 1-run games to be eliminated.
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After the 1964 season, he was a member of the USA baseball team that competed in an exhibition game at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics (baseball was a demonstration sport), posting a 6-2 victory over Japan.
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He spent the 1965 and 1966 seasons pitching in the minor leagues for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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Following his baseball career, Peterson worked for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance.
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He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sylvia, daughters Wendy (Kirk) Peterson Hayhurst and Susie Johnson, son Mike Johnson, 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, plus brother Keller Peterson and sister Lynn Zion.
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A funeral service will be held on Oct. 23 at 10 a.m. at St. Simon & Jude Church, 20444 Magnolia St., Huntington Beach, Calif. 92646.
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The right-handed Peterson was a 2-year (1963-64) letterman at USC. He went 13-4 with a 2.27 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 1963 to earn All-American second team honors, then was an All-American first teamer in 1964 behind a 17-3 record with a 1.54 ERA and a then-school record 116 strikeouts. His 288 career strikeouts was a USC record, as was his 1.92 career ERA.Â
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He earned All-Conference and All-District first team honors both seasons at USC. He also made the All-College World Series team in 1963. USC also advanced to the College World Series in 1964 but lost a pair of 1-run games to be eliminated.
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After the 1964 season, he was a member of the USA baseball team that competed in an exhibition game at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics (baseball was a demonstration sport), posting a 6-2 victory over Japan.
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He spent the 1965 and 1966 seasons pitching in the minor leagues for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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Following his baseball career, Peterson worked for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance.
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He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sylvia, daughters Wendy (Kirk) Peterson Hayhurst and Susie Johnson, son Mike Johnson, 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, plus brother Keller Peterson and sister Lynn Zion.
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