Bob Walk
Encyclopedia
Robert Vernon Walk is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher
. Nicknamed "The Whirly Bird," Walk spent his career pitching for the Philadelphia Phillies
(1980), Atlanta Braves
(1981–83), and Pittsburgh Pirates
(1984–1993).
During his rookie season in Philadelphia, he recorded 11 regular season wins and a victory in Game One of the 1980 World Series
, his Phillies defeating the Kansas City Royals
in six games. Traded to the Braves, he bounced between the main club and AAA until being released in March 1984. He was signed to a minor league contract by the Pirates and led the Pacific Coast League in ERA and wins in 1985, earning a trip back to the majors. He was named to the All-Star team in 1988 when he won 12 games and posted a 2.71 ERA.
In his waning years, Walk served as a spot starter and swingman for the Pirates' teams that won three straight NL East titles from 1990-1992. His most memorable outing being when manager Jim Leyland
removed him from the bullpen and named him a surprise starter in Game Five of the 1992 NLCS against Atlanta. He tossed a complete game three-hitter to stave off elimination in a series which the Pirates would eventually lose in seven games. He was also the pitcher who was warmed up in the bullpen when Francisco Cabrera hit the two-run, game-winning single against Stan Belinda
, which won the series for Atlanta. Despite both Walk and Cabrera being right-handers, Leyland opted to keep Belinda (despite having walked Berryhill to load the bases and giving up a deep fly ball to Ron Gant) to pitch to Cabrera.
On June 30, , the Pittsburgh Pirates honored Walk with a Stadium Give Away bobble head night during a game against the Washington Nationals
.
He is currently an announcer for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Root Sports Pittsburgh and radio.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. Nicknamed "The Whirly Bird," Walk spent his career pitching for the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(1980), Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
(1981–83), and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
(1984–1993).
During his rookie season in Philadelphia, he recorded 11 regular season wins and a victory in Game One of the 1980 World Series
1980 World Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 14, 1980 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaThe Royals jumped on Philly rookie starter Bob Walk early with a pair of two run bombs—one by Amos Otis in the second and another by Willie Aikens in the third...
, his Phillies defeating the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
in six games. Traded to the Braves, he bounced between the main club and AAA until being released in March 1984. He was signed to a minor league contract by the Pirates and led the Pacific Coast League in ERA and wins in 1985, earning a trip back to the majors. He was named to the All-Star team in 1988 when he won 12 games and posted a 2.71 ERA.
In his waning years, Walk served as a spot starter and swingman for the Pirates' teams that won three straight NL East titles from 1990-1992. His most memorable outing being when manager Jim Leyland
Jim Leyland
James Richard "Jim" Leyland is a Major League Baseball manager, currently with the Detroit Tigers.He led the Florida Marlins to a World Series championship in 1997, and previously won three straight division titles with the Pittsburgh Pirates...
removed him from the bullpen and named him a surprise starter in Game Five of the 1992 NLCS against Atlanta. He tossed a complete game three-hitter to stave off elimination in a series which the Pirates would eventually lose in seven games. He was also the pitcher who was warmed up in the bullpen when Francisco Cabrera hit the two-run, game-winning single against Stan Belinda
Stan Belinda
Stanley Peter Belinda is a former Major League Baseball player. A right-handed relief pitcher who batted from the right side, Belinda is 6'3" tall and weighs 187 pounds. He pitched from a three-quarters arm slot and threw both a regular low-90's fastball and a split-fingered fastball...
, which won the series for Atlanta. Despite both Walk and Cabrera being right-handers, Leyland opted to keep Belinda (despite having walked Berryhill to load the bases and giving up a deep fly ball to Ron Gant) to pitch to Cabrera.
On June 30, , the Pittsburgh Pirates honored Walk with a Stadium Give Away bobble head night during a game against the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
.
He is currently an announcer for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Root Sports Pittsburgh and radio.