 After 18 years with the Dodgers, he was chosen to serve as commissioner of first the United Soccer Association (USA) in 1966, then the North American Soccer League (NASL) which resulted from the merger of the USA and the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) prior to the 1968 season.He served the NASL through its first full season, 1968, then returned to baseball.In October 1968, Fred Haney, the 70-year-old general manager of the California Angels, retired and Walsh was named his successor by Angel owner Gene Autry.