Maple Ridge, B.C., native Larry Walker, looking for a major boost in votes in what is his eighth time on the Hall of Fame ballot, has the 14th best OPS among players who have either been enshrined in Cooperstown or are on this year’s ballot.
Read MoreKevin Glew's weekly "But What Do I Know?" column discusses Larry Walker, Tony Fernandez, James Paxton, Fergie Jenkins, Tim Raines, Tim Wallach and Joey Votto.
Read MoreWhat sets Maple Ridge, B.C., native Larry Walker apart from others is the completeness of his game. He could hit for average, hit for power, run the bases, and field. If you look for players who hit .300, had an on-base percentage of .400 and a slugging percentage of .500 along with 450 doubles, 60 triples, 350 home runs and 1,250 RBI, Walker is one of seven players who would surface. Add 150 stolen bases and he is in a class all his own. Oh, and don’t forget he won seven Gold Gloves.
Read MoreLarry Walker, who has failed to get even 25 percent support in his seven previous times on the Hall of Fame ballot, had a a career .306 average against left-handed pitching. Walker ranks 13th all-time among left-handed hitters against left-handed pitchers, based on a minimum of 500 plate appearances, according to Baseball-reference.com.
Read MoreMaple Ridge, B.C., native Larry Walker is in his eighth year on the Hall of Fame ballot and he has yet to receive more than 25 percent support, but in virtually any monitoring system you will find he had a Hall of Fame career. In Bill James’ Hall of Fame monitor, a 100 point total means a good possibility a player will be inducted, and a point total of 130 makes the player a virtual cinch. Walker has a Hall of Fame Monitor rating of 148.
Read MoreMaple Ridge, B.C., native Larry Walker, in his eighth year on the Hall of Fame Ballot and still looking for 25 percent of the vote in an election much less enshrinement, is downplayed by some because he spent nearly 10 seasons with the Colorado Rockies, playing home games at Coors Field. But did you know, among players who were active in the NL during the same period in which Walker was (Opening Day 1995-Aug. 5, 2006) Walker had the seventh highest road OPS?
Read MoreLarry Walker, in his eighth year on the Hall of Fame ballot, has never received 25 percent of the vote despite one of the most complete careers in history. The knocks are he played at Coors Field (one third of his at-bats) and wasn’t durable. Did you know that Walker appeared in 1,988 games, which is more than 59 position players who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame?
Read MoreLeft-hander Andrew Albers (North Battleford, Sask.) announced on Twitter on Monday that he has signed with the Orix Buffaloes of the Nippon Professional Baseball circuit in Japan.
Read MoreFriends gathered for a surprise party in Chicago on Saturday to celebrate Canadian pitching legend Fergie Jenkins' 75th birthday. Canadian Baseball Network writer Danny Gallagher shares some of the details.
Read MoreThe contract of Gatineau, Que., native Phillippe Aumont has been sold to the Detroit Tigers by the independent Can-Am League's Ottawa Champions.
Read MoreKevin Glew's weekly "But What Do I Know?" column discusses Larry Walker, Ryan Dempster, Dave Winfield, Jack Morris, Rich Harden and Tim Raines.
Read MoreEtobicoke, Ont., native Joey Votto who played for Canada in the 2009 and 2013 World Baseball Classics has been named the 2017 Lou Marsh Trophy winner, as Canada's top athlete.
Read MoreFormer Chicago Cubs right-hander Ryan Dempster, who pitched for parts of 16 major league seasons, has been elected to the B.C. Sports of Hall of Fame.
Read MoreEtobicoke, Ont., native Joey Votto has been named the winner of the 2017 Lou Marsh Award, which is presented to Canada’s top athlete. This is the second time that Votto has captured the honour. He also won in 2010.
Read MoreNot only was Maple Ridge, B.C., native Larry Walker a three-time batting champion, he was also one of the best defensive right fielders of all-time.
Read MoreKevin Glew's weekly "But What Do I Know?" column discusses Larry Walker, Erik Bedard, Fergie Jenkins, Gary Carter and Jimmy Key.
Read MoreCollegiate Baseball Scouting Network writer Oren Weisfeld summarizes the routes that Canadian stars James Paxton, Russell Martin and Joey Votto took to the majors.
Read MoreCorunna, Ont., native Rob Thomson has left the New York Yankees after 28 years to be the Philadelphia Phillies bench coach.
Read MoreThe Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame announced on Tuesday that Etobicoke, Ont., native Joey Votto has been named the 2017 Tip O'Neill Award winner. It is the seventh time in the past eight years that the Cincinnati Reds first baseman has captured the honour.
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