Larry Walker (1989-2005)
A good hitter when he was with the Montreal Expos, Larry Walker’s career took off when he went to the Colorado Rockies. However, his production in the thin air of Coors Field has led quite a few voters to wonder how inflated those numbers are.
A solid all around player, Walker was just as good with the glove as he was with the bat. A five time All Star, and the 1997 National League MVP, Walker also won seven Gold Glove awards and three Silver Sluggers. He won three batting titles, and from 1997 through 1999, produced an incredible .369/.451/.689 batting line.
Injuries kept Walker from having the type of career numbers that one would have expected, but he still put together a solid career. He posted a .313/.400/.565 batting line, hitting 383 home runs and 471 doubles. Walker also chipped in 230 steals over his 17 year career, and stole 20 or more bases three times.
However, considering that he played in Colorado for a decade, his career numbers seem a bit low. Of course, considering that he spent time on the disabled list in ten of years, and was often affected by nagging injuries, that lowered production was hardly his fault. Yet, after receiving only 15.5% of the vote last year, his sixth on the ballot, it seems that he will remain on the outside looking in.
Larry Walker was a very good player, and one who had times of greatness. Unfortunately, his inability to remain healthy may end up keeping him from the Hall of Fame.