Walker: All 5 tools and a 6th sense

[stevo]

Walker: All 5 tools and a 6th sense
By Dan O'Neill
Of the Post-Dispatch
08/07/2004


Throughout his career, Larry Walker has been known as a five-tool guy, a player who hits for average, hits for power, plays exceptional defense and throws and runs above average.

The presence of those assets is undeniable. The 1997 National League most valuable player has hit as many as 20 home runs or more eight times in his career, 30 or more four times. He has a career batting average of .315 and has three batting titles to go with it. He has captured seven Gold Gloves for his work in the outfield. He has long been respected for his strong throwing arm. He has run well enough to steal 224 bases.

But New York Mets hitting coach Don Baylor, who managed Walker for four seasons in Colorado, insists that assigning five tools to Walker is selling him at least one tool short.

"I always thought he had six," Baylor said. "He has a sixth sense that should be added to that. I remember in 1995, we were playing Cincinnati and Walk had not even taken balls off that wall at Coors Field. The Reds had a runner at second and (Barry) Larkin hit a ball that was going to be over his head. But Walk gives it one of these things where he puts his glove up and stares it down like he has it all the way.

"Then he turns around and plays the carom off the wall. Larkin wasn't running, 'cause he thought he was out, and he holds him to single. And the guy on second froze, so they wound up with first and third instead of a run in and a man on second.

"He just knows ... knows how to play the game. He's one of the best all-round players I ever managed."

Walker arrives too late to start

The first day of the rest of Larry Walker's life was a hectic one. He didn't get much sleep on Friday night after being told he was being traded from Colorado to St. Louis. "It wasn't real sleep," Walker said. "I think my eyes closed, but I think I was still walking around."

The plane from Colorado did not touch down at the airport in Cahokia until 11:40 a.m on Saturday, too late to make the lineup card for a 12:20 start against the New York Mets, police escort to Busch Stadium notwithstanding.

"Of all the days to have an early start like this," La Russa lamented before the game.

Walker emerged in the Cardinals dugout in the bottom of the second inning, wearing the No. 33 he has worn throughout his career, the number worn this year by injured pitcher Mike Lincoln.

Lincoln, who recently had season-ending elbow surgery, said the number transfer negotiations were rather uncomplicated. "I didn't have any choice," he said, smiling. "They already had his jersey made up for him."

After shaking hands with some of his new mates and sitting in a high chair at the front of the dugout, Walker had his first Redbird moment in the bottom of the seventh. With runners at first and second and one out, La Russa called on the lefthanded swinger to pinch-hit for Mike Matheny.

As he entered the on-deck circle, Walker got a standing ovation from the crimson-clad crowd of 45,364, an ovation that became extensive as the Mets changed pitchers.

"It was very exciting," Walker said. "One of the most nervous at-bats I've had in my career was today."

The moment proved anti-climactic when Ricky Bottalico fanned Walker on a 1-2 pitch. Still, you would have thought Walker went yard. The fans gave him a standing O.

"I got the ovation, even after I struck out," Walker said. "I felt like I was supposed to wave to the crowd and say thanks. I didn't know what to do. I thought maybe I should go back and ask if I could have another strike."

Walker stayed in the game and was intentionally passed in the bottom of the ninth to load the bases. He was on the field and in the middle of the celebration when Yadier Molina delivered a game-winning single. "It was amazing," he said. "I'm happy to be here. It's a great situation, great team and great fans ... only one way to think about it and that's good."

Rolen volunteers to adjust for Walker

Now that he has had his Busch Stadium baptism, Walker will settle into right field on a regular basis. La Russa must scramble an already robust batting order. It appears Walker's station will be either No. 2 or No. 4, depending on the opposing pitcher and the circumstances. But he will bat fifth against lefthander Al Leiter on Sunday, with Jim Edmonds taking the day off.

"He can hit me first or ninth if he wants to," Walker said.

Scott Rolen has batted fourth most of the season, enjoying a career year in the process, leading the NL in runs batted in, leading the Cardinals on a magic carpet ride that includes a 48-16 mark since May 27. Nonetheless, on Saturday morning, Rolen went to La Russa and volunteered to make whatever batting order accommodations necessary. Rolen doesn't know Walker on a personal basis, but he knows him in a spiritual sense. The Gold Glove third baseman is regarded around baseball for his no-nonsense, blue-collar approach to the game. When asked about Walker, he called the kettle black.

"I've always loved to watch him play, really," Rolen said. "For lack of a better term, he's like a playmaker. He steals bases, he turns singles into double, Gold Glove outfielder ... when he's been healthy and he's out there every day, he's one of the best players in baseball. And when you can put that into the mix we have, it's pretty impressive."

Walker has been injury-prone

Injuries have been a problem the past several seasons for Walker, who turns 38 in December. As a member of the Rockies he missed a franchise record 378 games, which amounts to nearly 2 1/2 seasons. Before Saturday, he had played in only 38 games this year because of a groin injury, batting .324 with six homers and 20 RBIs. His postgame interview on Saturday was delayed for several minutes as he got treatment.

General manager Walt Jocketty ackowledged health and the erosion of skills that comes with age were a concern. "It was something we had to check out thoroughly, and we were satisfied that he is physically capable now," Jocketty said.

The Cardinals have a special assistant, Bob Gebhard, who lives in Denver and who was the Rockies general manager from 1992 to 1999. Jocketty said, "Bob Gebhard has been watching him play for a while and confirmed yesterday that he is still running and throwing well and still had the bat speed.

"Obviously, he's had a lot of problems and we have to stay on top of it. But our trainers and our medical staff know what the problems are and what they have to do to get him ready and keep him on the field."

As for his skills, a sampling from the opposing locker room suggested Walker is still a feared opponent. "I was amazed they were able to pick him up," said New York pitcher Kris Benson. "This lineup is already potent enough, you know. Add him to the mix and it just makes it worse for the pitcher. I'm glad I don't face these guys any more this season, I can tell you that."

The Cardinals should be glad they don't have to face Walker anymore. He has batted .300 with 28 home runs and 110 RBIs in 530 at-bats against them. At the same time, his career stats indicate he did his best work at Coors Field. In 911 career games at Coors, Walker batted .360 with 201 home runs and a .642 slugging percentage. Elsewhere, in 933 games, he has batted .279 with 156 homers and a .496 slugging percentage.

But Baylor suggested Walker sometimes tried too hard when the Rockies were on the road, anxious to prove he was equally dangerous no matter the locale. The pressing would often put Walker in a funk for a "week or so." Some of the numbers bear that out. Walker fanned considerably more often (628 to 505) on the road than at home while with the Rockies.

"When he is at his best, he is hitting the ball all over the field," Baylor said. "And when he's doing that, it doesn't matter where he is playing. You're not going to get him out easily. (Todd) Helton is the same way."

Rolen, Edmonds lobbied Walker to join the Cards

Walker was a 10-and-five player, meaning he had been in the major leagues for 10 or more years and with one team at least five years. That status allowed him to veto any trade, and he didn't hesitate to do so. The Rockies attempted to deal Walker to Arizona two years ago and he said no. They tried sending him to Texas before last week's trading deadline and, again, he said no. Colorado engaged in discussions with Florida and the Chicago White Sox in recent days. But when a match was made with the Cardinals, who have the best record in baseball, things changed.

When they got wind on Friday that something might happen, both Rolen and Cardinals outfielder Jim Edmonds called Walker on his cell phone to sell him on the destination. Walker also had his teammates in Colorado endorse the move. "My wife had a lot to do with it," he said. "I told her about it and she started crying before I even said yes."

The attraction in St. Louis was obvious. "There are a few things that played into it," Walker said. "It's the National League, I know the ballparks, I know the pitching. The reputation this city has with its team, with its fans, with its sports knowledge was huge. My home in (West Palm Beach) Florida is 20 minutes from Jupiter (the Cardinals spring training home) ..."

And then there was that little matter of going from 13 games under .500 to 33 games over. "I called my brother today and I told him I won't be home in early October to do our annual fishing trip," Walker said. "We get to save that for some other time, which is just fine by me."

Baylor, who was with the Cardinals as a hitting instructor during the 1992 season, believes Walker will be rejuvenated as a Cardinal. "Most players, when they get to that later stage, they want to play in a World Series, they want to play in games that matter," Baylor said. "Forget about the age and all that other stuff. He's still a good player. And with the players that are on this team, I think that's going to be a big plus for him. I know when he has a chance to excel, a situation to play for, you're going to see a heck of a player."

You might even call him a six-tool guy.

[nostaw1952]

Although their lineup is now more formidable than the Yankees IMO, they suffer from the same weakness as the AL's
leading team: they can still be beaten by a team with a couple of dominant starters, as they lack that themselves.

[Tildy]

I don't remember the last time I saw the guy they are talking about in that article, he used to exist but it has been awhile. Nobody does the defensive deek as well as Walker, however the deek requires that the other team not play fundamental baseball, it is funny to see though.

He is a perfect fit for that club...

Need Randy Johnson to head over now.