LARRY WALKER HALL OF FAME SPEECH
Commissioner John “Stray” Corrado’s Introduction Speech for Larry Walker:
Born Larry Kenneth Robert Walker.
Played 10 Seasons in the Mid-West Baseball League for four different franchises. Denver 1997, Tempe 1998 – 2001, New River 2002 – 2005 & Yonge Street 2006
Drafted three in MWBL – 1998 Dispersal Draft by Midland & 2005 Dispersal Draft by Garden City.
Traded twice from Hamtramck (Never played a game for them) to Tempe & New River to Yonge Street.
Seven time All-Star, 2000 Gold Glove Award Winner, 1998 N.L. Most Valuable Player Award Winner, .328 Batting Average, .428 Om Base Percentage & .303 Post Season Batting Average.
As Commissioner I am going to do something a little different here, I’d like Mr. Ken Kuryliw to come up to the podium & introduce & speak about Larry Walker.
Ken Kuryliw’ Introduction Speech:
Thank you Commissioner Corrado.
Larry Walker 2018 Hall of Fame Plaque is without a doubt an honor to stand here today and welcome in the first Canadian Mid-West Baseball League Player into the Mid-West Baseball League Hall of Fame. Larry Walker was born in Maple Ridge, British Columbia Canada. Growing up he dreamed of being a NHL goaltender but instead his five tool talent was too much of draw by baseball scouts. In fact, he honed his skills by blocking the shots of friend and future Hockey Hall of Famer Cam Neely. Given that his high school didn’t even have a baseball team, baseball was a secondary focus, something he’d play for 10–15 games a year, until he was cut from a pair of Junior A hockey teams that he gave baseball a chance.
Denver trusting Canadian scout Jim Fanning shocked the baseball world by drafting him as a free agent in 1997, but then the team folded after his rookie season. He was then traded to Tempe in a 7 for 1 deal that included Kenny Lofton, Mike Lowell and Rick Ankiel in 1998.
He dominated the MWBL during his ten year career, with the highest career batting average of .328, a .426 OB% with 259 homers and 856 runs batted in. His power was amazing as he averaged a homer every 16 at bats during his career. His 1998 MVP season was one of the best seasons ever with 50 homers, 105 extra base hits, 141 runs and .145 RBI’s hitting .363 while stealing 28 bases. He dominated the playoffs for Tempe and won the 1998 World Series.
In the playoffs Larry showed the winner he was as he lead Tempe to World Series wins in 1998, 1999 and 2001. He managed to reach the playoffs twice with New River, and after being traded to Young Street he helped that team to their only AL championship. His career average in the playoffs is and amazing .304 average with 10 home runs and an amazing 46 extra base hits in 293 at bats!
Walker was a 7 time All-Star, Gold Glove winner, MVP and has three World Series rings, ladies & gentleman, Mr. Larry Walker, your new inductee in the MWBL Hall of Fame.
Larry Walker‘s Speech:
Thank you, to everyone who can be here today, it certainly has been an interesting journey to get to this moment. To me, the induction to the Hall, is not only a great day for me or the other inductees, but for an entire country north of the border. I had been on the ballot for so long and I was shocked when my wife passed me the Cell phone as I heard Commissioner Stray say “you made it!”. Since then my world turned upside down as I have received one phone call after another.
While I am known for the highest average in MWBL history I take much more pride in my defence and ability to lead teams to championships.
I would like to thank Chris Douglass who saw my ability and traded half a team for me. His trust in me never wavered and together we won three World Series. I am still good friends with the Hall of Fame General Manager. I would have loved to have stayed longer on this team but New River and Young Street needed my help. Chris continues to show his faith in me as I am employed as a hitting coach in the Tempe system.
Baseball is all about competitiveness while on the field, but its the friendships that matter the most. My friendships with Ken Griffey jr., Roger Clemens, Mark McGuire, David Cone and Craig Biggio will go on forever. We were the most dominent team of our era, and I glad to join Roger and hope the rest can join me in the MWBL Hall of Fame. I would like to put a good word for Griffey as he clearly should be in the Hall and I hope voters can vote him to enter the hall in 2019.
But all in all I want to thank my family, the scouts who saw a right fielder in the kids wearing skates and pads, and all the MWBL family that helped me to get here.