Kopf was born on July 10, 1899, in Stonington, Connecticut, to Lannie and Malone Kopf, who were both from Germany. He was one of 4 boys in the house. His brother Larry, was a baseball player that spent most of his time with the Cincinnati Reds and later inducted into the Cincinnati Reds hall of fame.[1] Wally Kopf had seven siblings; brothers Larry, Otto, Herb, who went on to be a football coach and player and Frances; and sister Helen. His brother Larry was a professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Cleveland Naps, Philadelphia Athletics, Cincinnati Reds, and Boston Braves for 10 seasons (1913–23).[2] For three years from 1919 to 1921, Wally Kopf attended Dartmouth College.[3] In 1918, after announcing he was enrolling in Dartmouth, The Washington Post wrote that "Walter Kopf brother of the famous Benny [...] is said to be better than his big league brother".[4] While college, he played basketball and baseball.[5][6] In the latter sport, he played shortstop.[6] He served in the United States Armed Forces during World War I.[7]
At the start of the 1922 season, Kopf was a member of the Giants second team, which was compiled of players who were cut from New York's spring training roster and assigned to a team that played minor league teams in Texas.[11] After his trial with the Giants second team, he was assigned to the Double-ANewark Bears of the International League.[12] After a week with the Bears, Kopf was turned back to the Giants and managerJohn McGraw gave him an unconditional release.[12] Later that year, he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers.[12][13] The Dodgers assigned Kopf to the Double-A Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League. With the Oaks, he batted .246 with 16 hits, and five doubles in 20 games played. Brooklyn then assigned him to Newark Bears.[12] Finally, the Dodgers sold Kopf to the Double-A Reading Aces of the International League.[13] His combined totals in the International League that season was a batting average of .228 with 18 hits, three doubles, and two home runs in 23 games played.
Kopf and his brother Larry played semi-professional basketball for the Coral Gables, Florida, team in 1925.[20] Walt Kopf was the head coach of that team, which practiced at the YMCA in the area.[21] The two also played basketball in Cincinnati.[22] Wally Kopf played the center position.[22]
Later life
By 1930, Kopf lived in Cincinnati, Ohio with his wife, Virginia.[23] He was working as a building contractor in Ohio after his playing career.[23] On August 10, 1935, Kopf, who was the building contractor on a project in Cincinnati found a Muscogee peopleburial ground.[24] In 1965, he and his brother, Larry, attended an event put on by the Cincinnati Reds called "Former Major Leaguers Day".[25] He died on April 30, 1979, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was buried at the Calvary Cemetery in Cincinnati.
