Walker's dad named to Texas League Hall of Fame

DETROIT -- A couple of years ago, the Pirates' annual Father's Trip happily coincided with the announcement of the National League All-Star team. The fathers of Andrew McCutchen, Pedro Alvarez and Jason Grilli were all in Wrigley Field to celebrate with their sons.

Wednesday, during this summer's Father's Trip, the tables were turned for one of the dads: Tom Walker, Neil's dad and a former Major Leaguer himself, received notification he had been chosen for the Texas League Hall of Fame.

The elder Walker, a right-hander who would go on to a six-year big league career primarily as a long reliever, went 13-9 for the Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs in 1971, in what turned out to be his last Minor League step prior to breaking in with the '72 Expos.

It isn't his season body of work that got him into the hall, however, but that one unforgettable game on Aug. 4.

Walker pitched a 15-inning no-hitter in a 1-0 win over an Albuquerque team whose lineup included future Dodgers stars Lee Lacy (who played with the 1980-84 Pirates) and Steve Yeager.

Walker is one of eight 2015 inductees into the Texas League Hall of Fame, other members of the class including former big leaguers catcher Dick Dietz and southpaw Frank Tanana.