Walter McCoy

Walter Loreo McCoy (February 20, 1920 – November 10, 2015) was an American Negro league baseball and Minor League Baseball pitcher. Listed at , , he batted and threw right handed.

Born in Leavenworth, Kansas, McCoy grew up in San Diego, California where he was a sandlot ball star before pitching in the Negro leagues in the mid-1940s. In between, he entered military service in 1942 and earned an MVP Award while pitching on the U.S. Army special services team.

Following his discharge in 1945, McCoy played for the Chicago American Giants and Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro leagues in a four-season span from 1945 to 1948. ending his playing days with the Tecolotes de Nuevo Laredo of the Mexican League late in 1955.

After retiring, McCoy worked as a building contractor for more than 40 years. In his spare time, he coached his grandson's Little League Baseball team, while his daughter served as an assistant coach. From 1996 to 1997, McCoy played on a 30-year and older baseball team with his sons and was chosen for the All-Star team. He continued coaching his grandson through 1999. The idea of the special draft was conceived by Hall of Famer Dave Winfield, well known for his exceptional community service through the years. As a result, McCoy was drafted as a pitcher by the San Diego Padres.