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Larry
Walker
# 33
Colorado Rockies
by John M Milner
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Colorado Rockie's right fielder
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full name is Larry Kenneth Robert Walker
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born December 1st 1966 in Maple Ridge, British Columbia
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lives in West Palm Beach, Florida
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has a daughter named Brittany Marie
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lists, among his talents, the ability to "belch the
alphabet"
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was named National League Most Valuable Player in 1997, (receiving
22 of 28 1st place votes) when he hit .366 and led the National League with
49 Home Runs, and 130 RBI
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also led the NL in extra base hits (99), On-base Average (.429) and
Slugging Percentage (.720)
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became the 5th player to have 40 home runs and 30 stolen bases in
a season
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also had 33 stolen bases
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won his 3rd Gold Glove in 1997 (had also won in 1992 and
1993)
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his 409 total bases in 1997 were the most since Stan Musial had 429
in 1948
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During the 1997 All-Star Game, Randy Johnston (an old teammate and
friend of Walker's) threw behind his head. The left-handed
Walker immediately batted right-handed and even turned
his batting helmet around. The gag lasted one pitch. Johnston
ended up walking Walker
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as a youngster, dreamed of playing in the NHL as a goalie
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in 1985, signed a minor league baseball contract in Montreal, despite
not knowing a whole lot about baseball
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in one game, ran from 1st to 3rd on a fly ball out. After the out
was recorded, ran across the infield to get back to first.
Was ruled out as he hadn't touched 2nd base
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Arrived in the major leagues in 1989 with the Expos
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In 1990, he tied the Montreal Expos' rookie record for home runs,
set by Andre Dawson
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led the National League in doubles in 1994 with 44
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named to the National League All-Star game in 1994
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was part of the Montreal Expos in 1994, which lead was considered
the best team in baseball when the strike cut the season short
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went to the post-season in 1995 with the Colorado Rockies
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finished 5th in the 1993 MVP Voting, becoming the 9th Canadian to
be nominated for an MVP award
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Appeared in only 83 games in 1996, suffering a broken collarbone
after running into an outfield wall. He also fell on some
ice during a fishing trip, and suffered a separated shoulder
that required additional surgery
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Was named Player of the Week for the first week of the 1998 season
after hitting 3 Home Runs against his former team, the Expos
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His 1999 stats included a batting average of .379 (a
career best), a slugging percentage of .710, and a
career best on-base average of .458 with 37 home runs
and 115 RBI.
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On April 28, 1999, he hit three home runs in one game,
against St. Louis, the second time in his career that
he has accomplished that feat. Walker also had 8 RBI,
a career best.
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From June 14th, Walker embarked on an 18-game hitting
streak that lasted until July 3rd.
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He lead the National League in slugging percentage
with and on base percentage. Walker was the first
player since George Brett (1980) to lead a league in
average on-base average and slugging percentage.
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Walker played most of the season with an aching left
knee until having arthroscopic surgery to correct the
problem. Despite this, he still managed to steal 11
bases.
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Named to the Sporting News National League All-Star
team in 1999. As well, he was awarded a National
League Golden Glove and a Silver Slugger Award.
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Limited to just 87 games in 2000, hitting .309 with 9
home runs and 51 RBI
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On August 11th, he drove in four runs against
Montreal, the next day he went 4-4.
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He began the season with a sore right calf.On May
11th, he went on the 15 day DL with an injury to his
right elbow. On August 21st, he went on the disabled
list and underwent right elbow surgery
JOHN M's
Opinion: Walker seems to be a down-to-earth
human being who can still send opposing pitches into orbit.
It is not unforeseeable to expect Walker's name to be
listed next to several previously "unbreakable"
records in the next few years. While some will be quick to dismiss
his hitting power as a benefit to hitting in Coor's Field
in Denver, there is enough statistical proof to indicate
that Walker would be a power threat no matter where he
played. Now, he just needs to get over the fact that race
car driver Jacque Villineuve won Canadian Male Athlete of the Year
in 1997.
Typo's
Opinion: As I actually get around to doing this
page and write what it is I like about Larry Walker, I cant quite put my
finger on it. I think like John says he is down to earth, in a sport
which is becoming a little bit insane, creating these superstars with super
salaries. I loved the 1997 All Star Game, when he turned his hat around.
Would be nice to see him with a contender.
Visit Larry's
Gallery
Larry
Walker Links
Larry Walker Ring member site
 |
[Roberto Alomar]
[Sandy Alomar Jnr] [Bartolo
Colon] [Chipper Jones]
[David Justice] [Javy Lopez]
[Greg Maddux] [Chad Ogea]
[Andy Pettitte] [Jorge Posada]
[Ivan Rodriguez] [Larry
Walker] [John Wetteland]
[Jaret Wright]
 |
Please note that I am not any of these players,
nor I am associated with any of them (I wish!!!). Just a fan like the
rest of you :) I would also like to thank everyone that has
emailed me regarding my pages, it is great hearing from other fans, and some
of you have been daft enough to stay in contact!
Of course the biggest thanks
for all goes to John for taking the time to
 research and write
these pages, and really do all the work for me! I just take all the
credit... well unless he does it wrong! THANX
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