 08/06/2004 10:34 PM ET
Walker glad to be with winner
Slugger made one playoff appearance in Colorado
|
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com |
|
|
|
 |
|
| Larry Walker struck out and walked in his debut for the Cardinals on Saturday. (Scott Rovak/Cardinals)
|
|
|
|
• FastCast: Walker deal  56K | 350K
ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals showed off their shiny new prize on Saturday -- first on the field, and then in a news conference. Shortly after making his St. Louis debut, newly acquired outfielder Larry Walker met with a throng of reporters outside the home clubhouse at Busch Stadium.
It was a capper to a memorable day for the five-time All-Star, who flew to St. Louis from Denver on Saturday morning, checked out his new locker, met his new teammates, then made two plate appearances and played a couple of innings of right field.
"I'm a little tired right now," he said. "My wife is here, we'll probably go grab a bite to eat and [go to sleep early]."
If there's one thing Walker will remember about the day, it likely will be the reception he received from 45,000-plus fans at Busch. He received a standing ovation of approximately 90 seconds after he was announced, then heard chants of "Lar-ry! Lar-ry!" Even after he struck out, Walker received another standing "O" as he walked back to the bench.
"Probably one of the most nervous at-bats I've had in my career was today," Walker said. "The ovation I got, even after I struck out, I felt like I was supposed to wave to the crowd and say thanks. It was amazing. I'm happy to be here. It's a great situation, great team, great fans."
He acknowledged that it was difficult to leave Colorado, where he set down roots over the course of 10 seasons playing for the Rockies. Walker nixed a trade that would have sent him to Texas, and reportedly he was cool to a deal to the Marlins -- however, he said talks with Florida were never all that serious.
|
News
