Jamie Walker is not just a LOOGY. He's a warrior, a rock-solid dependable guy, someone who will take the ball in any situation. He cares more about winning than damn near anything.
JW is the shiznit. You know it. I know it. And obviously Trembley and Perlozzo knew it too.
Because now Walker is the record-holder for most appearances ever by an Oriole pitcher in a season. (Sun)
By answering the call for the 77th time on Sunday, Walker passed BJ Ryan and Tippy Martines on the all-time list. But does he care? Hardly. Rather, his candor about the situation is refreshing:
But Walker has proved to be much more than that this season, going 1-2 with a 3.40 ERA and five saves, while being asked to fill just about every role possible...."To be honest with you, I don't give a [darn] about personal achievements. It's not a big thing," Walker said. "I'm not here for that. I'm here to throw the ball when the manager asks me, God willing, if I'm able. If I could throw 162 [games], I would, but that's not possible. I take pride in appearances - toeing the hill, showing up and not calling in sick - and there are times I've gone out there when I was way less than 100 percent. In my mind, I think I can beat anybody."
What an enormous stud. But wait: He also calls out the FO to fix what ain't right:
"I think the injuries have exposed the whole system. There's got to be something they've got to do," Walker said. "It isn't anybody's fault but us in here. We're the ones to blame. Everyone can say, 'Injuries, injuries,' but look at what the Yankees and other teams have done. They've got guys they can bring up. And I don't mean to knock anybody's ability, but you've got to have that, and I don't think they have that here.
Truer words were never spake.
Here's to you, Jamie Walker.