Tom Walker, father of former Pittsburgh Pirates 2B Neil Walker, dies
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Tom Walker, the father of former Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Neil Walker, has died, according to a statement made by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday.
According to the team, Tom Walker signed with the Pirates in January of 1978 as a free agent, joining them for Spring Training before retiring that same year.
Tom Walker debuted in Major League Baseball with the Montreal Expos in 1972. He also spent time with the Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals and California Angels before making his way to the Steel City prior to the Pirates' World Series win in 1979.
In six years in the MLB, Tom Walker compiled a 3.87 ERA with an 18-23 record as a starter. He even converted 11 save chances while being a closer early in his career with the Expos. Tom Walker struck out 262 batters in those six seasons and walked 142.
He was drafted ninth overall in the 1968 January Regular Phase draft.
