Birthdate: Jan. 30, 1923. From Moosup, CT. Attended Plainfield HS ('39) and led them to the state football championship his senior year. Known as "The Moose From Moosup".
Played baseball (first base), basketball and football (tight end and defensive end) at UConn. Hit over .400 in his final year of baseball. Served in Army during WW II for two years in the middle of his UConn career, seeing combat duty in Italy, France and Germany, and participated in the dangerous crossing of the Rhine.
Highest career scoring average for a freshman (21.7) and 2nd highest career scoring average (20.7) behind Wes Bialosuknia (23.6). 7th best single-season scoring average (21.7 in '42-43).
Drafted by the Providence Steamrollers with their first pick, #4 overall, in the 1947 NBA Draft. There is some confusion as to whether he was drafted by the Boston Celtics or if they just acquired his rights, but he definitely was drafted by the Chicago Bears football team and turned both the Bears and the Celtics down to play first base for the Boston Red Sox and received a $15,000 signing bonus.
Had one of the greatest rookie seasons in history in 1950 when he hit .322 with 34 home runs and led the American League with 144 RBI. Was named the American League Rookie-of-the-Year in 1950 while playing for the Red Sox (the Yankees' Whitey Ford also received votes). Never hit 30 or more home runs, drove in 100 or more RBI, or batted over .300 any season after that. Linked with Liz Renay during his playing days. Also played for the Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds, before finishing his career with the Baltimore Orioles. Played 13 major league seasons, finishing with a lifetime .270 average, 152 homers, and 704 RBI. "He was a gentle giant and a great pull hitter who was a lot better fielder than people might think."' -- former Red Sox teammate Johnny Pesky.
Co-holder of the major league record for consecutive hits without making an out (12). Is co-holder of the American League record for total hits in 4 consecutive games (15). Was co-holder of the American League record for total hits in 3 consecutive games (13 hits in 14 at-bats) until Mike Benjamin (SF Giants) broke the record (14 hits in 18 at-bats) in 1995. Was playing first base for Boston when they defeated
the St. Louis Browns, 29-4, in 1950, and for the Chicago White Sox when they defeated Kansas City, 29-6, in 1955 -- the two times in MLB history that a team has scored 29 runs in a game (the record for runs in a game by a team).
His brothers Milt (older) and George (younger) also attended UConn and the Dropos are considered the First Family of UConn Athletics. Milt was a center on the UConn football team. A knee injury prevented him from signing with the Red Sox. A three-sport star at UConn, many thought Milt would have been more successful than Walt if he hadn't torn up a knee playing football. Milt won a Bronze Star in WW II.
George played baseball for three years at UConn. He co-captained the UConn baseball team to the 1955 Yankee Conference title. Played six minor league seasons in the White Sox organization. George was also a respected high school and college basketball and baseball official for 25 years. He refereed the first Big East basketball game ever played. Was on the search committee that selected Jim Calhoun as head basketball coach.
The Dropos made large contributions for Gampel Pavilion and the Alumni House. The Dropos established the first full endowment in school history.
Walt's daughters Carla and Christina were swimmers at UConn. After he retired from baseball, Walt entered the insurance and investment business in Boston. Later, he worked in Milt's fireworks and import business, Washington Fireworks Co. Currently living near Boston, MA.
Named to the University of Connecticut's 100th Anniversary All-Time Football Team. Named #8 on the Hartford Courant's "Connecticut's Best Of The Century" list. Voted #3 in WVIT Ch. 30's Connecticut's Athletes of the Century poll. Ranked #26 on Sports Illustrated's Connecticut's 50 Greatest Sports Figures list.
Walt Dropo (#9), Connecticut, 6-5, 220, C(?)
G GS MIN MPG FG FGA Pct FT FTA Pct
42-43 UConn 15 .. ... ... ... ... .... ... ... ....
43-44 Did Not Play
44-45 Did Not Play
45-46 UConn 8 .. ... ... 72 ... .... 24 ... ....
46-47 UConn 18 .. ... ... 134 ... .... 87 ... ....
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TOTALS 41 .. ... ... ... ... .... ... ... ....
REB Avg PF AST TO BLK STL PTS Avg
42-43 UConn ... ... .. ... ... ... ... 325 21.7
43-44 Did Not Play
44-45 Did Not Play
45-46 UConn ... ... .. ... ... ... ... 168 21.0
46-47 UConn ... ... .. ... ... ... ... 355 19.7
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TOTALS ... ... .. ... ... ... ... 848 20.7
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