Larry Walker alerts former teammate (after game) of tipping pitches

[SlimKibbles]

Thought this was interesting. Walker has always been a good guy. And, it explains a little why Jennings has been getting hit hard. Maybe this has been going on for a while? Aren't his catcher and/or pitching coaches supposed to notice these things for him?
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Walker tips intent to retire this year
By Troy E. Renck
Denver Post Staff Writer

St. Louis - Any doubt that Larry Walker will retire at season's end was eliminated when the phone rang.

After the St. Louis Cardinals' 5-4 victory Sunday at Busch Stadium, Walker called over to the Rockies' clubhouse. Instead of saying goodbye, he offered starting pitcher Jason Jennings advice.

"I told him that there were things he and the catcher were doing that I noticed from second base. He was (revealing) his pitches," Walker said. "Obviously, I wouldn't have done that if I planned on playing next season."

Jennings appreciated the tip. That Walker made the effort was intriguing, because his relationship with the Rockies organization has deteriorated since he was traded to St. Louis last August.

"J.J. is a good guy. He's going to have a long career in this game," Walker said. "I just thought it was something he should know, since I am not going to face him again."

[Blzer]

Re: Larry Walker alerts former teammate (after game) of tipping pitches

That's cool for him, I suppose. I guess it makes sense since, unless there's some sort of miracle, the Rockies make the playoffs, or Jennings gets traded to a team the Cardinals will play.

On my high school baseball team, we try to do whatever we can to see if a pitcher is tipping a pitch. And, while it doesn't seem like much, it's a world's difference when you're up to bat.

[rsox]

Re: Larry Walker alerts former teammate (after game) of tipping pitches

Walker has always been a class act and even this shows it, he respects his current teammates and says nothing during the games and then tells his former teammate what he's doing wrong after the game.

I had always hoped the Red Sox would try and get Walker during those great years he was having with the Rockies, if he had come to the American League it might have added 2 or 3 years to his career because he would likely have been a DH the past few years, but as we all know it never happend.

[SPTO]

Re: Larry Walker alerts former teammate (after game) of tipping pitches

That's interesting and it does show the kind of class that Walker has.

I say this is interesting because a few weeks ago I was listening to an interview with Pat Tabler about some of today's players and whether they pay attention to the game the way players in his generation did. Tabler said that everytime he talks to players today they don't want think about stealing signs and tipped pitches etc etc. He said that most players these days just want to react to the pitch rather then trying to figure out what's being thrown to them.

[yo136]

Re: Larry Walker alerts former teammate (after game) of tipping pitches

Still, you'd think that whatever organization he's pitching for next year would catch and correct the issue in the off-season anyway. So it shouldn't matter if he doesn't face him again. (Although it could be possible ... but still highly unlikely ... if the Rockies get hot behind his pitching and take what is now a horrible NL West)