ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder, Larry Walker is going into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
It was announced on MLB Network that Walker and Derek Jeter will be part of the 2020 class of the Hall of Fame, along with former Cardinals catcher Ted Simmons and former MLB Players Association chief Marvin Miller.
YESSSSS https://t.co/hHX6hWcX3t
— Tom Ackerman (@Ackerman1120)
January 21, 2020 Welcome to Cooperstown, Derek Jeter! #HOF2020 @Yankees pic.twitter.com/g1dnbxCagq
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall)
January 21, 2020 Walker, whose Major League career spanned 17 seasons (1989-2005) with Montreal, Colorado and St. Louis, was a five-time All-Star, won three batting titles (1998, 1999 and 2001) and was voted National League MVP in 1997 with the Rockies. Walker compiled a career .313 batting mark with 383 HR’s, 1,311 RBI and 230 stolen bases in 1,988 career games played, and was a seven-time Rawlings Gold Glove recipient.
Walker's WAR of 72.7 ranks among the top-100 in baseball history.
Another former Cardinal on the ballot was Scott Rolen, who had a huge increase in votes (17.2% in 2019 to 35.3% this year).
The Hall of Fame news apparently came as a surprise to Walker, who tweeted earlier in the day on Tuesday he was "going to come up a little short today."
Although I believe I’m going to come up a little short today I still wanna thank all you that have been pulling for me and showing your support. I’m grateful for all of you! It’s been fun leading up to today reading everyone’s thoughts. Cheers -- LW
— Larry Walker (@Cdnmooselips33)
January 21, 2020 Walker will be remembered mainly for his time with the Colorado Rockies (1995-2004), but made his deepest postseason runs with the Cardinals. He reached the World Series in 2004 after coming to St. Louis via trade, then was one win away from going back to the World Series the next season with the Cardinals. Walker did get a World Series ring in 2006 when the Cardinals won it all, although he retired after the 2005 season. Then general manager Walt Jocketty and manager Tony La Russa presented an emotional Walker with a championship ring.
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