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[southsider2k5]

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/artic...rticle_16093674

 

White Sox hitting coach leaning toward return

Uncertainty makes Walker consider options this offseason

 

Greg Walker wanted the focus of Friday's conversation to be about a specially honored pupil, Alexei Ramirez, and not the employment status of the teacher.

 

"I would rather that not be the story," Walker told MLB.com during a Friday phone conversation, when asked about his thoughts on returning for his eighth full season as White Sox hitting coach, a job he strongly is leaning to fulfilling once again.

 

"I'm just happy for Alexei," Walker added. "It's really fun to watch him."

 

 

Greg Walker, who helped Carlos Quentin (right) win a Silver Slugger in 2008, has been Chicago's hitting coach since '03. (AP)The job status for this exceptional leader of White Sox hitters became a topic of conversation when Walker talked about taking time to ponder his return during the offseason at the end of a tumultuous 2010 regular season. It's a process Walker actually goes through at the conclusion of every 162-game run.

 

But the 2011 season could have a different feel from years past. It not only stands as the last contractual year for coaches such as Walker and pitching coach Don Cooper, as examples, but Ozzie Guillen, the leader of this close-knit staff, also has just one guaranteed year left, with a team option for 2012.

 

There's uncertainty concerning the return of White Sox staples and current free agents Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski, who are as much friends with Walker as they are players who have benefited from his hitting tutelage. There's even some level of uncertainty as to whether last year's off-the-field soap opera could pop up again.

 

Even with all of these concerns, Walker spoke strongly in the present and future tense as the White Sox hitting coach and not as someone waffling on a return.

 

"There is still a lot of winter left, but I always anticipate I'm coming back," Walker said. "Right now, I anticipate coming back."

 

Walker quipped how he was sitting on his back porch in Georgia, after catching a bunch of fish Thursday, putting a good day's work in on the family farm Friday and watching the sunset, and thinking about if he wanted to return. Ultimately, Walker and assistant hitting coach Mike Gellinger are extremely good at what they do, and in turn, Chicago hitters become better from the information and assistance they provide.

 

Guillen recognizes Walker's contributions. On Friday morning, the day after Ramirez became the first White Sox middle infielder to be honored with a Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award, the White Sox manager Tweeted to his 90,290 followers a message of congratulations for Walker winning another Silver Slugger and "working his [butt] off."

 

Third baseman Joe Crede and outfielder Jermaine Dye were honored under Walker's watch in 2006, and Carlos Quentin became a Silver Slugger in '08. White Sox success stories often are overlooked by a critical fanbase as soon as the offense hits some sort of funk, such as early last year, and Walker finds himself in the crosshairs.

 

As long as his players are moving forward, though, Walker is satisfied.

 

"Ultimately, I appreciate my job very much, but the main reason I do this is to pass this game down the line, pass along any knowledge to help the players," Walker said. "My biggest goal is for each individual to max out.

 

"Very seldom does it happen on any team for everyone to max out, but you want every player to have a great year. We've worked hard. In some cases, you give more, and in some cases, you give less -- whatever a player needs to help his game.

 

"We've never taken credit for players' performances. Me and Mike Gellinger are resources for them, and I'm proud of what Gelly and myself have done."

 

Ramirez drew Walker's pride through the shortstop's focused pregame work in 2010 and the consistent way he took the ball the other way.

 

"He wants it really bad and took a huge step for his overall game this season," Walker said. "I expect him to take another big step next year."

 

Will Walker be with Ramirez to witness that progress, continuing a big league job he has held since May 19, 2003? It certainly appears that way, but there still are enough sunsets and winter days remaining to possibly change his mind.

 

"It's the players who have to be focused over 162 games, and we are just a small part of the puzzle," Walker said. "But if they do well, we know the White Sox do well and that's our No. 1 goal."

[justBLAZE]

To be fair he / Sox offense did a great job last year, as a team. Quentin and Beckham were the problems. Pierzynski shouldn't need a hitting coach to figure things out in this stage of his career.