Journeyman Walk found his niche as elder statesman on a young Pittsburgh pitching
staff. The fierce competitor's 1980 rookie season at Philadelphia included 11 regular season wins and a victory in Game One of the World Series. Traded to the Braves, he bounced
between Atlanta and Richmond (International League). Released in March 1984, he signed
a Triple-A contract for Pittsburgh, led the Pacific Coast League in ERA in 1984,
and earned a promotion, only to hurt his right elbow and miss the season's final
two months. The native Californian led the Pacific Coast League in ERA and wins in
1985 and earned a trip back to the majors.
He was an All-Star in in 1988 when he won 12 games with a 2.71 ERA. Walk later served as a reliable starter and swingman for the Pirates' teams that won three straight NL East titles from 1990-1992, and tossed a complete game three-hitter in Game Five of the 1992 NLCS vs. Atlanta.
(ME)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»October 14, 1980: Philadelphia pitcher Bob Walk becomes the first rookie to start a World Series opener since Joe Black in 1952, and the Phillies rally from a 4–0 deficit to beat the Royals 7–6. Kansas City's Willie Aikens hits a pair of homers, becoming only the 3rd player to do so in his first World Series game. Bake McBride homers for the Phils.
»April 22, 1982: After opening the season with 13 straight wins the Braves finally lose, 2–1, to the Reds. Bruce Berenyi is the winner over Bob Walk.
»October 11, 1992:
Pittsburgh P Bob Walk stops the Braves on three hits to give the Pirates a 7–1 win in Game five of the NLCS. Braves P Steve Avery fails to make it past the 1st inning, marking the quickest exit by a hurler in the National League playoffs since Pittsburgh's Bob Moose in 1972.
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