Intro

A seven-time Gold Glove Award-winning right fielder, Canadian-born Larry Walker won the 1997 National League Most Valuable Player Award. With his left-handed swing, Walker launched as many as 49 homers in the lofty Denver air for the Rockies and won three batting titles. A throwback in the mold of George Brett and Robin Yount, Walker's hustling style endeared him to fans in Montreal and Colorado, his primary home cities in his 17-year career.

Replaced By

Most likely it will be So Taguchi, in 2005 with the Cardinals.

Best Season

Yes, his season was in the context of the offensive explosion of the 1990s, and of course, he played half the year in Coors Field, but it still ranks as one of the best offensive seasons in baseball history. He hit .366 with a .720 OBP, 208 hits, 143 runs, 46 doubles, 49 home runs, 130 RBI, and 33 stolen bases. He was also the best right fielder in baseball.

Factoid 1

Larry Walker posted a lifetime .300 batting average in every month except March, in which he played just one game and went 1-for-4.

Strengths

Fundamentals. Walker was an excellent baserunner, he had a very strong arm, he could pull the ball or spray it around the field, he had fine range in the outfield. He just did everything well.

Weaknesses

He hit .218 with a .389 SLG average in Shea Stadium. So it seems he didn't like the Big Apple.

Notes

In nearly 600 games, and more than 2,400 plate appearances in Coors Field, Walker batted .381 with an incredible .710 slugging percentage and a .462 on-base percentage.