Mike Walker (walkemi01)
From BR Bullpen
Michael Charles Walker
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 195 lb.
- School Seminole Community College
- Debut September 9, 1988
- Final Game July 11, 1996
- Born October 4, 1966 in Chicago, IL USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Michael Charles "Mike" Walker pitched five seasons in the majors. He made his major league debut at age 21 as one of the youngest players in the 1988 American League.
Walker was born in Chicago, IL and went to high school in Hernando, FL, about 75 miles north of Tampa, FL. From 1986-91 he pitched in the Cleveland Indians organization, primarily as a starter until converted to relief in 1991. In 1987 he went 14-7 and in 1988 he was 15-7 in the minors. He also pitched in three games at the major league level in 1988.
In 1991 Walker became a successful reliever, posting a 2.79 ERA in the minors and coming to the majors for five games in relief with a 2.08 ERA. In spite of that, he was released after the season by the Indians.
He spent 1992 in the minors at Toledo with the Detroit Tigers organization, was reacquired and released in early 1993 by the Indians, and then was with the Chicago Cubs organization from 1993-95. He impressed in the minors in 1994 with Iowa with a 2.99 ERA, and spent the bulk of 1995 at the major league level with the 1995 Cubs, appearing in 42 games and posting a 3.22 ERA. He was two years older than teammate Sammy Sosa.
After the 1995 season he was released by the Cubs, then signed and released by the Philadelphia Phillies, and signed by the Detroit Tigers for a second time. The Tigers put him at Toledo for a second time, and he responded with a 3.83 ERA. At the major league level that year, he appeared in 20 games for a team that lost 109.
From 1997-99 he was in the minors in the Cincinnati Reds organization and another time in the Indians organization. Lifetime, he had a 81-78 minor league record in 492 games, 120 of which were as a starter.
In 2004 he was named Director of Parks and Recreation in Brooksville, FL, 25 miles south of Hernando.
He is not to be confused with another Mike Walker (Michael Aaron Walker), also a pitcher, who was in the majors in 1992. Michael Charles Walker was born in 1966 while Michael Aaron Walker was born in 1965.
