Neil Walker

Last updated

2⁄3 of an inning, facing 3 batters, walking 1, for a 0.00 ERA in the Phillies 11-4 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. [43] [44] He was designated for assignment on September 11. Walker was outrighted two days later but refused his outright assignment and elected free agency on September 14. [45]

Broadcasting career (2021-present)

On April 20, 2021, Walker announced his retirement from professional baseball. [46] In July, it was announced that Walker would be joining the Pirates broadcast team for select games. He made his broadcasting debut in Pittsburgh on August 18, serving as the color analyst during a doubleheader with the Brewers. [47] [48] Walker was promoted to a full time commentator prior to the 2022 season. [49]

Personal life

Neil's brother, Matt, played outfield for George Washington University and in the minor leagues in the Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles systems. Neil's other brother, Sean, pitched for George Mason University. [50] His sister, Carrie, is a former professional basketball player. [51] Carrie married Don Kelly, a fellow Major League Baseball player. His uncle, Chip Lang is a former Montreal Expos pitcher. [50]

Walker attended high school with his future wife, Niki, who was one year ahead of him; however, they did not begin dating until a few years after he began his professional baseball career. [52] The couple's first child, a daughter, was born on August 23, 2016. [53]

During the 2010 season, Walker was one of only two Major League players to still live with his parents. The other was pitcher Tyson Ross. "He's really not thrilled about that. We try to give him his space," said his mother Carolyn, although Walker himself said he loves life at home. [54] However, Walker announced at Pirate Camp prior to the 2011 season that his mom finally kicked him out of their North Hills area home. [20]

Walker idolized Bill Mazeroski as a youth and received instruction from the great Pirates second-baseman during spring training, which provided invaluable help when Walker was called upon to play the position after Akinori Iwamura's struggles. [55] [56] He was also a fan of Pirates' outfielder Andy Van Slyke, whom he watched play at Three Rivers Stadium. [50]

Walker is a Catholic. [57] He led the effort to provide weekly Mass to fellow Catholics on the Pirates as well as Catholics from the visiting team. Walker states that Mass services are an important part of his life because they "combat the negative qualities" found in living the lifestyle of a Major League Baseball player. [57] He also was a guest on Blessed2Play, a national radio show hosted by Ron Meyer where Neil discussed his faith and career. [58]

Walker's father (Tom), a former teammate of Roberto Clemente, reflected about his son's career when discussing Clemente's death in 1972. Before taking off on the flight that he would die on, Clemente insisted that Walker's father not join him on his humanitarian mission. Walker's father said Clemente saved his life and allowed him to have his family, including Neil Walker. [59]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 "Neil Walker Stats". Baseball-Reference.com . Sports Reference LLC. 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Pirates Broadcasters". Pirates.com. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Player Bio Information". Archived from the original on June 1, 2011. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  4. ↑ Mike White (September 1, 2009). "Remembering Neil Walker – the all-around athlete". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  5. ↑ "Pirates Notebook: Concussion puts Doumit on DL". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Neil Walker Minor, Fall & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com . Sports Reference LLC. 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Top 100 Prospects 2007". baseballamerica.com. Baseball America . Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  8. ↑ Also on that year's list, though in different MLB organizations, were 2010 Pirates' Delmon Young (#3), Andy LaRoche (#19), José Tábata (#27), and Donald Veal (#52) and Jeff Clement (#62), both on IR as of August 28, 2010.
  9. ↑ "Walker's 4-for-4 night drives Curve". minorleaguebaseball.com. May 15, 2007.
  10. ↑ "Curve snap losing streak in dramatic fashion". Johnstown Tribune-Democrat. May 27, 2007.
  11. ↑ "The Official Site of The Altoona Curve – altoonacurve.com Homepage". Altoona Curve. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Neil Walker Stats, Highlights, Bio". MiLB.com . Minor League Baseball. 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Pirates summon Walker from minors". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. May 26, 2010. Archived from the original on May 29, 2010. Retrieved May 26, 2010.
  14. ↑ "Pirates bench Akinori Iwamura, move ex-catcher Neil Walker to second base". HardballTalk. May 31, 2010. Archived from the original on June 2, 2010.
  15. ↑ "Walker's first MLB HR lifts Pirates past Cubs". ESPN. June 1, 2010. Archived from the original on June 5, 2010.
  16. ↑ "Crisp's three hits back Sheets as A's dismantle Pirates". ESPN. June 25, 2010. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012.
  17. ↑ "Pirates hold off Brewers after Alvarez's slam leads 9-run first inning". ESPN. July 20, 2010. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012.
  18. ↑ "Rookie Neil Walker powers slumping Pirates past Reds". ESPN. August 3, 2010. Archived from the original on August 7, 2010.
  19. ↑ Chuck Finder (August 26, 2010). "Pirates beat Cardinals, 5–2, as Walker triggers another win". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  20. 1 2 3 Povtak, Tim (February 16, 2011). "Pirates' Walker making himself right at home". post-gazette.com. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Retrieved February 16, 2011.
  21. ↑ Eddy, Matt (October 19, 2010). "Future Big League Stars Highlight All-Rookie Team". Baseball America. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
  22. ↑ "Valencia awarded with rookie honor". Mlb.com. November 29, 2010. Archived from the original on December 8, 2010. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
  23. ↑ "Walker part of Bucs' grand history in victory". MLB.com Gameday. April 1, 2011.[ dead link ]
  24. ↑ "Neil Walker's career-high five RBIs spark Pirates". ESPN. May 20, 2011. Archived from the original on June 17, 2011.
  25. ↑ "Neil Walker Shut Down for the Season". September 29, 2012.
  26. ↑ Sanserino, Michael (May 13, 2013). "Pirates activate Walker, option Mercer to Indianapolis". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
  27. ↑ Tayler, Jon (June 10, 2014). "Pirates call up top prospect Gregory Polanco, place Neil Walker on DL". SI.com. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  28. ↑ Singer, Tom (September 14, 2014). "Triple play sparks Pirates in finale win over Cubs". MLB.com. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
  29. ↑ Abrotsky, Justin L.; Stone, Avery (May 9, 2015). "Pittsburgh Pirates pull off first 4–5–4 triple play in MLB history against Cardinals". USA Today . Retrieved May 11, 2015.
  30. ↑ "New York Mets trade LHP Jonathon Niese for Pittsburgh Pirates 2B Neil Walker". ESPN.com. December 9, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Mets, Walker agree to one-year deal worth $10.55M". MetsBlog.com. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Walker hits 100th career home run". ESPN. April 24, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  33. ↑ "Neil Walker is Tied for the Major League Lead in Home Runs". April 28, 2016.
  34. ↑ "Mets 2B Neil Walker has season-ending back surgery". Fox Sports . Associated Press. September 9, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  35. ↑ DiComo, Anthony (November 14, 2016). "Walker accepts Mets' qualifying offer". MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 15, 2016. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  36. ↑ Wagner, James (June 15, 2017). "Matt Harvey, Neil Walker and Juan Lagares Join the Mets' Long List of Injured". The New York Times . Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  37. ↑ Ackert, Kristie (July 29, 2017). "Neil Walker, activated from DL, returns to different Mets team". NY Daily News . Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  38. ↑ Rieber, Anthony (August 8, 2017). "Mets' Walker gets first start at first base". Newsday . Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  39. ↑ Puma, Mike (August 12, 2017). "Mets trade Neil Walker to Brewers". New York Post. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  40. ↑ Hoch, Bryan (March 12, 2018). "Yanks sign veteran second baseman Walker". MLB.com . Major League Baseball. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  41. ↑ "Miami Marlins, Neil Walker agree to one-year contract". ESPN.com. ESPN. January 29, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  42. ↑ "Phillies add Francisco Liriano, Bud Norris, Drew Storen, Neil Walker on minors deals". ESPN.com . ESPN. Associated Press. January 22, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  43. ↑ Zolecki, Todd (August 13, 2020). "Sweep leaves Phils searching for silver lining". phillies.mlb.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  44. ↑ "Orioles 11, Phillies 4". phillies.mlb.com. MLB Advanced Media. August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  45. ↑ "Neil Walker Elects Free Agency". September 14, 2020.
  46. ↑ "Neil Walker Announces Retirement". April 20, 2021.
  47. ↑ "Neil Walker to join Pirates broadcasting team in August". CBS Pittsburgh. July 3, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  48. ↑ Perrotto, John (August 15, 2021). "Neil Walker draws rave reviews after Pirates broadcasting debut". TribLive.com. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  49. ↑ "Pirates Broadcasters". Pirates.com. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  50. 1 2 3 Crasnick, Jerry (July 16, 2012). "Neil Walker actually living his dream". ESPN.com. ESPN . Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  51. ↑ Waggoner, Jim (October 5, 2013). "Wagner College basketball alum Carrie Walker has both brother and husband in MLB playoffs". silive.com. Staten Island Advance . Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  52. ↑ Serby, Steve (March 6, 2016). "Neil Walker talks friend's tragic death, switch hitting and Cespedes' cars". nypost.com. New York Post . Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  53. ↑ Ackert, Kristie (August 24, 2016). "Oh Baby! New daddy Neil Walker could return to Mets Friday". nydailynews.com. New York Daily News . Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  54. ↑ Woo, Stu (July 6, 2010). "Home Games: Big League Players Who Still Live With Mother". wsj.com. The Wall Street Journal . Retrieved July 6, 2010.
  55. ↑ Robinson, Alan (September 5, 2010). "Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman linked to Clemente". spokesman.com. The Spokesman-Review . Retrieved September 5, 2010.
  56. ↑ "Pirates unveil Bill Mazeroski statue". ESPN.com. ESPN. Associated Press. September 5, 2010. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
  57. 1 2 Sanserino, Michael (August 14, 2011). "Players' chapel at PNC Park draws faithful". post-gazette.com. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Retrieved August 14, 2011.
  58. ↑ Beattie, Trent (June 10, 2013). "Pittsburgh Pirates' Second Baseman on the Gift of Life". ncregister.com. National Catholic Register . Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  59. ↑ Singer, Tom (January 3, 2013). "Living legacy: Walker carries spirit of Clemente". MLB.com . Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
Neil Walker
Neil Walker (cropped).jpg
Walker with the Phillies in 2020
Second baseman
Born: (1985-09-10) September 10, 1985 (age 39)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Batted: Switch
Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 1, 2009, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Last MLB appearance
September 8, 2020, for the Philadelphia Phillies
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