After a distinguished profession, Larry Walker was elected to the Corridor of Fame in 2020, receiving 76.6 p.c of votes to hitch Derek Jeter in that 12 months’s class. It took till his ultimate 12 months of BBWAA poll eligibility for his greatness to be rewarded, completed largely with the Rockies however with stellar play for the Expos and the Cardinals at both finish of his profession, however now his profession lives endlessly in Cooperstown.
As Walker celebrates a birthday, let’s look again at a profession stuffed with nice feats and far aptitude. Here’s a prime 10 listing to savor.
1. He taketh away: July 4, 1992, Expos at Padres
The Padres’ Tony Fernández had what he thought was a line-drive single to proper. The decision by Padres broadcaster Ted Leitner was traditional: “Base hit … I take it again.” Walker erased loads of pitchers this manner. However an All-Star infielder?
2. He made us chortle in addition to cheer: April 4, 1994, Expos at Dodgers; July 8, 1997, All-Star Recreation
Walker was at all times fast with the quip and smile off the sphere, and as he confirmed on a few events, he may chortle at himself throughout competitors. Overlook what number of outs? Go into self-preservation mode with intimidating future Corridor of Famer Randy Johnson on the mound in an All-Star Recreation? Walker may have an excellent time, both manner.
3. Particular man, particular place: April 26, 1995, Mets vs. Rockies
Whereas with the Expos in 1993 and ’94, Walker turned swept up within the mania at Mile Excessive Stadium, and advised his agent that he would like to signal with the Rockies when he turned a free agent in ’95. In his first Rockies sport, which additionally was the Coors Discipline opener, he doubled 3 times. His final two-bagger tied the sport within the ninth and, finally, arrange Dante Bichette’s 14th-inning walk-off homer.
4. When it counted: Oct. 1, 1995, Giants vs. Rockies
Some voters at occasions fell again on docking Walker for not taking part in in sufficient huge video games. However within the 1995 regular-season finale, the 3-year-old Rockies wanted to beat the Giants to earn the Nationwide League Wild Card and change into the youngest enlargement franchise on the time to make the postseason. His bat was key to overcoming an early 8-2 deficit within the 10-9 win. Walker went 3-for-4 with two runs, a double, a homer and three RBIs — to carry his complete to 101 in 131 video games throughout a labor strife-shortened season.
5. A hat trick in Montreal: April 5, 1997, Rockies at Expos
By the point of his third homer, Walker’s previous followers at Olympic Stadium have been cheering him. Supervisor Don Baylor wished him to go for 4, however Walker requested to come back out of the sport so teammate John Vander Wal may get an at-bat to remain sharp.
6. Validation: Sept. 26, 1997, Dodgers vs. Rockies
Typically, people simply have to acknowledge greatness. Walker flirted with .400 for an excellent portion of the 12 months, made the ultimate of the Residence Run Derby earlier than falling to Tino Martinez and completed so robust — .366/.452/.720 with 49 residence runs and 130 RBIs — that writers couldn’t deny him the NL Most Invaluable Participant Award. No Rockies participant received earlier than or has received since.
7. Outer house and outta right here: Aug. 18, 1999, Braves vs. Rockies
Keep in mind the broadly panned futuristic uniform experiment? Walker’s two homers — an opposite-field shot off Kevin Millwood within the first inning, a three-run walk-off blast in opposition to John Rocker — by some means made the black jersey a traditional look.
8. Profitable with the arm: April 2, 2001, Cardinals vs. Rockies
The Rockies’ signing of Mike Hampton to (on the time) the biggest contract for an MLB pitcher turned out to be a short and forgettable chapter in membership historical past. But it surely positive began thrilling, thanks in huge half to Walker’s arm. Within the first inning, Fernando Viña tried to attain from third on a Mark McGwire fly ball, however Walker executed an on-the-fly strike to residence plate for Brent Mayne’s tag. Walker’s two-run homer within the eighth capped an 8-0 victory.
9. He’s nonetheless received it: June 25, 2004, Rockies at Indians
The Rockies have been struggling and desirous to go younger. A number of commerce potentialities had fallen by means of, however a deal was inevitable. As if sending a message that his new group can be getting somebody particular, Walker went off in Cleveland by going 3-for-4 with three homers, together with the go-ahead shot within the tenth inning of a 10-8 win.
10. Pleasing the individuals in crimson: 2004 stint with Cardinals
Walker debuted with the Cardinals on Aug. 7, 2004, in such a St. Louis manner. Followers gave him a prolonged standing ovation earlier than his pinch-hit at-bat in opposition to the Mets’ Kris Benson. Amid calls of “Larry! Larry! Larry!” Walker struck out. However man did he give them a lot to cheer. He cracked 11 residence runs in 44 video games, and 6 within the postseason earlier than the Playing cards fell to the Purple Sox within the World Collection. Walker had retired by the point the Playing cards received the ’06 Fall Basic, however the group confirmed such respect that it granted him a World Collection ring.
