Tyler Walker (baseball)

For other people named Tyler Walker, see Tyler Walker.

Tyler Walker
Walker with the Washington Nationals
Relief pitcher
Born: (1976-05-15) May 15, 1976 (age 48)
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
July 2, 2002, for the New York Mets
Last MLB appearance
June 19, 2010, for the Washington Nationals
MLB statistics
Win–loss record23–18
Earned run average4.23
Strikeouts243
Teams

Tyler Lanier Walker (born May 15, 1976) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. He is an alumnus of San Francisco University High School, where he was closely mentored by Duncan Lyon, and University of California, Berkeley. Walker pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets (2002), San Francisco Giants (2004–2006, 2007–2008), Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2006), Philadelphia Phillies (2009), and Washington Nationals (2010).

Major league career

Walker's big break came in 2005, when Giants' closer Armando Benítez was out of action for three months.[1] With only one major league save in his career to that point, Walker filled in admirably by converting 23 out of 28 save opportunities. On June 17, in a game against the Detroit Tigers, Walker made history by becoming the first pitcher to record a save (since the save rule became an official stat in 1969) by entering a game with the bases loaded with nobody out and proceeding to strike out all three batters he faced without allowing a run to score.

Tyler Walker in 2006.

Early in the 2006 season, Walker was sent to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in exchange for minor leaguer Carlos Hines. On June 14 of that year, he was placed on the disabled list with a strained right elbow, and later underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery. On December 10, 2006, he signed a minor league deal with the Giants. He pitched in 15 games late in the 2007 season and re-signed with the Giants for 2008.[2] In 65 games in 2008, he had a 4.56 ERA and became a free agent after the season. On January 6, 2009, he signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Mariners.[3] He was released on March 29, 2009, before the start of the regular season.[4] After that, he was signed by the Phillies on April 9, 2009.

On January 25, 2010, Walker agreed to a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals. He posted a 3.57 ERA during the 2010 season out of a long relief role. After the season ended, he became a free agent.[5]

Walker signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League on September 14, 2011.

References

  1. ^ Jacob Shafer (August 29, 2005). "Big League Pitcher Tyler Walker". PacificSun.com. Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved January 6, 2009.
  2. ^ Henry Schulman (November 18, 2007). "Giants Sign Walker To 1-Year Deal". SFGate.com. Retrieved January 6, 2009.
  3. ^ "Seattle Mariners sign right-handed pitcher Tyler Walker". MLB.com. January 6, 2009. Archived from the original on January 21, 2009. Retrieved January 6, 2009.
  4. ^ Morrow headed to bullpen. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved on March 29, 2009
  5. ^ Nationals sign reliever Walker Archived 2010-01-29 at the Wayback Machine. MLB.com. Retrieved on January 25, 2010.