Walter L. "Mother" Watson (January 27, 1865 – November 23, 1898) was an American professional baseball player in the mid-1880s. Born in Middleport, Ohio in 1865, he started two games at pitcher for the 1887 Cincinnati Reds of the American Association. He completed one of his starts, and in 14 innings pitched, he had a 5.79 ERA, and was 0–1. In 1888, he played for the Zanesville Kickapoos of the Tri-State League.