WALT KELLNER DIES AT 77

by Max Silberman

Walt Kellner died in Tucson, AZ on June 19, 2006 at the age of 77. Walt and brother Alex were one of three brother combinations to play for the A's in the latter years of that organization. The Kells (George and Skeeter) and the Shantz Brothers ( Bobby and Billy) were the other two.

Walt Kellner pitched briefly for the Athletics in 1952 and 1953. Unlike Alex who was a southpaw, Walt was a right hander. Alex had been a 20 game winner in his rookie season of 1949 (although he made a few appearances in 1948).

The brothers were very close and both resided on a tract of land Alex had purchased with his bonus money. Alex passed away in 1996 but Walt was able to attend a reunion of the Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society in the late 1990s and had a great time with the fans and team mates.

At 77, Walt Kellner was one of the younger members of the alumni club. There are 71 remaining A's. The youngest is 73 and the oldest is 98.

Such news is always sent to our members with a heavy heart. When the player has been to our reunions, the sense of loss is magnified. The Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society mourns the loss of Walt Kellner and extends deepest sympathy to his family.