October 20, 200520 yr Walker says goodbye to baseball Cardinals veteran has played his final game By John Schlegel / MLB.com First baseman Albert Pujols: "It's 17 years he played? I'm just glad to be a part of these last two years with him." Center fielder Jim Edmonds: "The best thing I can say is, 'Congratulations on a great career and on retirement,' actually. Any time you can play as long as he did and have a career that he did, you should be congratulated. I think it's pretty special. I told him [when] he was getting a little sad, I said, 'I think you should be smiling right now. You've had an unbelievable career and you've got lots of money and now you get to go home and enjoy your family.' I think that's what's special." Left fielder Reggie Sanders: "He was dealing with a lot, physically and mentally. But he's a true professional. He's going to go out there and give what he has. For us, as players in this clubhouse, we support each other. We do what we need to do to have each other's back. And we're just really proud of what Larry's done for us." [More in URL] Lemme just say I never realized just how awesome Larry Walker was until he put on that St. Louis uniform. What a class act. I hated to see him cry in the postgame but he battled for us last year but this year told me everything I ever thought about Walker. When healthy the man can swing a pretty good bat but that wasnt much. 4 cortisone (sp) shots is too much for one man like Larry I believe. He fought and fought and fought to try and help this team. While some Cards fans are disappointed right now about his non contributions this postseason believe it or not for some reason he brought a smile on my face (nothing else did really) when he got that double. It's a shame though his last at bat will end up being a strike out and he has to leave this way. I enjoyed Larry in his 1 1/2 years as a Cardinal (even though we know most of us knew he was broken down and nearing the end). A Class act.. Sad he never gets his ring though.
October 20, 200520 yr It was cool just to see him get back to him old self for parts of the season...
October 20, 200520 yr Too bad he never won a world series in his career; he was definetly one of the more likeable guys in baseball and had some pretty damn good years in Colorado. to you Larry
October 20, 200520 yr At least he was able to PLAY in a World Series. He certainly wasn't going to with the Rockies or Natxpos. On a great career.
October 20, 200520 yr I saw him hit a grand slam off Danny Graves back in 2004. It was pretty cool, it put the Cards ahead in that game. That's the extent of my experience with him, but you gotta respect numbers like he's pu up over his career.
October 20, 200520 yr Another in the long line of examples of a man who's body betrayed him. Wonderful player though. No injury qualifiers there. You can make a case that he was the best all-around player in his generation when you factor in things that are hard to factor like baserunning, the way he threw in right field and the things he could do with the bat. Great player.
October 20, 200520 yr QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Oct 20, 2005 -> 12:30 PM) No big suprise there. He was breaking down big time. ^^^ i think they said he had to take 4 cortizone shots before last night's game. a good guy. good luck on his next endeavors...
October 20, 200520 yr Author QUOTE(Goldmember @ Oct 20, 2005 -> 02:06 PM) ^^^ i think they said he had to take 4 cortizone shots before last night's game. a good guy. good luck on his next endeavors... That's correct.. 4 shots.. Every time he would get one he would smack the ball around for a week but those last couple shots didnt seem to work. Infact, it only got worse for him from there on out. Only so much those things could do for Larry.
October 20, 200520 yr Congrats to Larry Walker for the career he had in baseball. To me, Larry is one of the most underrated sluggers. He definitely didn’t have much left in the tank this season, but you can tell that he tried to give 110% when he wore that Cardinal uniform.
October 20, 200520 yr QUOTE(robinventura23 @ Oct 20, 2005 -> 11:44 AM) At least he was able to PLAY in a World Series. He certainly wasn't going to with the Rockies or Natxpos. On a great career. Actually, he would have had a pretty damn good chance with that '94 Expos team, probably the most talented team he was a part of. Would not have mattered though, that was the year. Was. :headshake
October 21, 200520 yr Well he had a great career but me not being a big Cardinal fan im glad he is gone.... although if Rolen comes back next year healthy their offense wont miss a beat.
October 21, 200520 yr QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Oct 20, 2005 -> 05:41 PM) Well he had a great career but me not being a big Cardinal fan im glad he is gone.... although if Rolen comes back next year healthy their offense wont miss a beat. I think that's a very very big if right now. That strikes me as saying "If J.D. Drew comes back healthy".
October 21, 200520 yr A very solid career. I'll miss seeing Larry Walker play. He'll be a Rocky in my memory.
October 21, 200520 yr I wish I could change it because of how much I respect him but that goofy ball thrown into the stands play with 2 outs keeps popping up in my head! I think Rolen will be back for a big year next year.
October 21, 200520 yr I have always had a very positive image about the Cardinal organization. It feels right that he should retire in a Card's uniform.
October 26, 200520 yr If Walker hadn't have turned down the trade to Sox in '04, he might be getting that elusive ring. Oh well. Too bad.
October 26, 200520 yr If Walker hadn't have turned down the trade to Sox in '04, he might be getting that elusive ring. Oh well. Too bad. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Wow, never thought about that.
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