The top 10 moments of Larry Walker’s HOF career
After a distinguished profession, Larry Walker was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2020, receiving 76.6 % of votes to hitch Derek Jeter in that yr’s class. It took till his remaining yr of BBWAA poll eligibility for his greatness to be rewarded, completed principally with the Rockies however with stellar play for the Expos and the Cardinals at both finish of his profession, however now his profession lives eternally in Cooperstown.
As Walker celebrates a birthday, let’s look again at a profession stuffed with nice feats and far aptitude. Here is a prime 10 checklist 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 name by Padres broadcaster Ted Leitner was basic: “Base hit … I take it back.” Walker erased loads of pitchers this manner. But an All-Star infielder?
2. He made us chuckle in addition to cheer: April 4, 1994, Expos at Dodgers; July 8, 1997, All-Star Game
Walker was all the time fast with the quip and smile off the sphere, and as he confirmed on a few events, he might chuckle at himself throughout competitors. Forget what number of outs? Go into self-preservation mode with intimidating future Hall of Famer Randy Johnson on the mound in an All-Star Game? Walker might have an excellent time, both manner.
3. Special man, particular place: April 26, 1995, Mets vs. Rockies
While with the Expos in 1993 and ’94, Walker turned swept up within the mania at Mile High Stadium, and informed his agent that he would like to signal with the Rockies when he turned a free agent in ’95. In his first Rockies recreation, which additionally was the Coors Field opener, he doubled thrice. His final two-bagger tied the sport within the ninth and, ultimately, 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 enjoying in sufficient large video games. But within the 1995 regular-season finale, the 3-year-old Rockies wanted to beat the Giants to earn the National League Wild Card and grow to be the youngest growth 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 deliver his whole 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 time of his third homer, Walker’s outdated followers at Olympic Stadium had been cheering him. Manager Don Baylor needed him to go for 4, however Walker requested to come back out of the sport so teammate John Vander Wal might get an at-bat to remain sharp.
6. Validation: Sept. 26, 1997, Dodgers vs. Rockies
Sometimes, of us simply have to acknowledge greatness. Walker flirted with .400 for an excellent portion of the yr, made the ultimate of the Home Run Derby earlier than falling to Tino Martinez and completed so sturdy — .366/.452/.720 with 49 house runs and 130 RBIs — that writers couldn’t deny him the NL Most Valuable Player Award. No Rockies participant received earlier than or has received since.
7. Outer area and outta right here: Aug. 18, 1999, Braves vs. Rockies
Remember the extensively 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 towards John Rocker — one way or the other made the black jersey a basic look.
8. Winning with the arm: April 2, 2001, Cardinals vs. Rockies
The Rockies’ signing of Mike Hampton to (on the time) the most important contract for an MLB pitcher turned out to be a short and forgettable chapter in membership historical past. But it certain began thrilling, thanks in large half to Walker’s arm. In the primary inning, Fernando Viña tried to attain from third on a Mark McGwire fly ball, however Walker executed an on-the-fly strike to house plate for Brent Mayne’s tag. Walker’s two-run homer within the eighth capped an 8-0 victory.
9. He’s nonetheless bought it: June 25, 2004, Rockies at Indians
The Rockies had been struggling and eager to go younger. Multiple commerce potentialities had fallen via, however a deal was inevitable. As if sending a message that his new staff could 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. Fans gave him a prolonged standing ovation earlier than his pinch-hit at-bat towards the Mets’ Kris Benson. Amid calls of “Larry! Larry! Larry!” Walker struck out. But man did he give them a lot to cheer. He cracked 11 house runs in 44 video games, and 6 within the postseason earlier than the Cards fell to the Red Sox within the World Series. Walker had retired by the point the Cards received the ’06 Fall Classic, however the group confirmed such respect that it granted him a World Series ring.
