They called Denny Walling “Good Wood” because he was, well, “Good Wood” coming off the bench in clutch situations, one of the best pinch-hitters all time, with 108 pinch hits in 18 big-league seasons. But Walling is getting the start on Opening Night this year when the Waynesboro Generals take on the Staunton Braves at Fishburne Military School Park at Kate Collins Field.
The Generals legend and Waynesboro resident will be on hand for the 2009 season opener tonight at The Fish to meet and greet Generals fans at the start of the 87th season of Generals baseball in the River City.
Walling played for the Generals in 1975, the same year he was drafted by the Oakland A’s, and the year that he made his Major League debut in September not having played a single minor-league game.
He was best-known as a member of the Houston Astros in the 1980s, where he hit .312 with 13 home runs in 422 plate appearances in 1986. He also played with St. Louis and Texas, and hit .271 for his career with 49 homers and 380s runs batted in.
But he made his name as a super sub, hitting .270 as a pinch-hitter with seven home runs off the bench in late-game, clutch situations.
Walling now serves as a roving hitting instructor for the Baltimore Orioles, and will be coming down from an assignment in Frederick, Md., to take part in tonight’s Opening Night festivities.
First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.
– Story by Chris Graham
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