Advertisement

Mike Walker gets new life with Cubs' team in Orlando

 
Published June 24, 1993|Updated Oct. 9, 2005

After half a season away from the game, former Cleveland Indians pitcher Mike Walker is back in baseball.

Walker, a Hernando High graduate who pitched in parts of three major-league seasons, has resurrected his career with the Chicago Cubs' Class AA affiliate in Orlando.

His availability and Orlando's pitching needs led to the signing of the former Leopards star, Orlando broadcasting director Andrew Monaco said.

Monaco said injuries to a trio of pitchers from the parent club created a domino effect within the Chicago organization, including the promotion of three Orlando pitchers from Double-A to Triple-A.

"We've been hurting," Monaco said. "We need help, and he was available, and now we'll finally get a full contingent in the bullpen."

Monaco said Walker was scheduled to be in uniform when Orlando opened an eight-game homestand and started the second half of its Southern League season with a doubleheader Tuesday night.

It's likely Walker, who could be expected to pitch right away, will start in the bullpen before being moved into the starting rotation, Monaco said.

Walker was selected in the second round of the 1986 amateur draft by the Indians. He pitched 88 major-league innings during 1988, '90 and '91, compiling a 2-8 record and 4.97 ERA.

He was released by Cleveland in '91 and played for Detroit's Class AAA affiliate in Toledo, Ohio, last season. He re-signed with the Indians organization prior to spring training this year, but was released before camp concluded.

Since then, Walker has been looking for a break in his quest to get back to the big leagues.

"It's good for him to have that opportunity to give it another shot," former Hernando High baseball coach Ernie Chatman said. "He's tried out for a number of teams, and everywhere he's gone he's come back each time and said he's pitched well and they're impressed with him, but he'd just have to wait and see what happens."

After his release from the Indians, Walker stayed in shape at home in Brooksville. For a while, he threw batting practice to the Chatman-coached Leopards high school team.

"He's worked hard at it and stayed active throwing," Chatman said. "He's still in good shape, has the good body they're looking for, and is in good form."

Chatman hopes the comeback tale has a happy ending for Walker, who happens to be a Chicago native.

"You never know," Chatman said. "The major leagues is full of those stories and you hear about them all the time."