THE CANADIAN PRESS
Perhaps by the time Larry Walker’s name is added to the 2011 ballot for election to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, his numbers will be viewed differently.
As things stand now, the native of Maple Ridge, B.C., is probably short of the traditional benchmarks hitters of his ilk need for induction, numbers in and around 500 home runs and 3,000 hits.
But as information continues to trickle out on who did what during the steroids era — Alex Rodriguez’s confession Monday on the use of performance-enhancing drugs, for instance — the 383 home runs, 471 doubles, 2,160 career hits, .313 career average and 230 stolen bases on Walker’s resume may eventually look more deserving since by all accounts, he did things right.
"I did jokingly say to somebody when they asked me what I thought about the A-Rod situation, `Well it really makes me look better doesn’t it?"’ Walker quipped Wednesday after being named for induction to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
"I guess if you look at it that way maybe it will add a little more interest, but I’ll stick with my guns and if I get a couple of votes, that will make me happy. If I was fortunate enough to be voted in, then I’d be absolutely hysterical."
There was never a shred of doubt about Walker’s place in St. Marys, Ont., and he was the obvious choice to headline the Class of 2009. Joining him on induction day June 20 will be national team manager and former Blue Jay Ernie Whitt, longtime Windsor, Ont., area volunteer Bernie Soulliere, and the late Roy (Doc) Miller.
Beyond the eye-popping stats that make Walker the leader in virtually every offensive category among Canadians, the true measure of his career goes well beyond the numbers.
Discovered by the late Montreal Expos scout Bob Rogers and signed as an amateur free agent for US$1,500 in 1984, his growth into a superstar prompted more teams to begin scouting north of the border.
If there was one player like Walker up here, they reasoned, there were likely others just waiting to be found.
"Once he got to the big-leagues and was going to be a star … it enhanced the scouting of Canadian players," said Jim Fanning, the longtime Expos executive who ordered the Walker signing as scouting director. "He was absolutely phenomenal."
Now, Canadians are regulars at all-star games and contenders for awards like MVP and rookie of the year, many of them inspired to play by Walker, a five-time all-star and the 1997 NL MVP.
"He was the guy that all Canadians currently playing in the major leagues looked up to growing up," Minnesota Twins superstar Justin Morneau said in an email to The Canadian Press.
"He set the bar for position players in this country and helped prove to everyone that we are not just a bunch of hockey players."
Walker’s impact on Canadian baseball, however, is unlikely to factor into the equation when the 2011 ballot is considered. Ultimately, it comes down to a numbers game, although many voters are struggling to judge players from the steroids era accordingly.
Tainted by allegations, Mark McGwire is still on the outside looking in and tough decisions will have to be made on Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa. Walker’s solid reputation on both sides of the border could make a difference.
"He is one of the humblest superstars that I have ever met," Morneau wrote. "He is a true Canadian and hopefully this will be the first step on his way to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown where he belongs as one of the most dominant all-around players of his generation."
.Fanning still beams with pride about the Walker signing.
He saw him play shortstop for Canada at the 1984 world junior championships and ordered Rogers not to be seen anywhere near Walker during the tournament to avoid tipping off other scouts.
"Walker was anything but an attractive looking infielder, he was 17 at the time, he was gangly," recalled Fanning. "But when he walked up to the plate, it looked like he came out of central casting."
He was signed shortly afterwards for the bargain price, prompting Fanning to jokingly criticize Rogers for not giving Walker enough money for a cab ride home.
Whether or not Walker joins pitcher Ferguson Jenkins as the only Canadians in Cooperstown, he’ll be satisfied with his place in St. Marys.
"For me being Canadian, anything with that word being involved with it is very meaningful to me," he said. "It’s where I grew up, it’s what I am … my roots and my heart and soul are Canadian and it’s a proud moment to me."
It was for Whitt, too.
His 1,218 games played in a Toronto Blue Jays uniform ranks fourth all-time. He hit 131 home runs during his Jays career.
Whitt has also become a type of father figure in Canadian baseball as manager of the national team since first taking the helm at the 1999 Pan Am Games in Winnipeg. He’s also led the squad to the 2004 Olympics and 2006 World Baseball Classic and will manage Canada again at the second edition of the Classic this spring.
"It’s been very easy for me to manage," he said. "Basically you put the lineup out there and you watch these kids go out and play. You really don’t have to say much to them because they play the game the right way.
"That’s what always impressed me about the Canadian players."
Soulliere, from Windsor, has been working behind the scenes for more than 40 years in amateur baseball circles. The 71-year-old was vice-president with Baseball Canada in the ’90’s, and president of Baseball Ontario from 1993 to 1995.
Miller, whose pro career began in 1903, played for the Chicago Cubs, Boston, Philadelphia and Cincinnati during his five-year stint in the majors. His .295 career batting average is fourth all-time for Canadians.
