FOCUS ON...ANDREW "ACE" WALKER March 5, 2006
Nicknamed Ace because he used to do impressions of "Ace Ventura", the nickname turned out to be approp in 2005 when Walker became one of the Aces of the Clinton (Low-A) pitching staff. In 123.0 innings pitched in the Midwest League, Walker posted a 2.93 ERA over 19 games, including 2 complete games. His performance also earned him a spot on the MWL All-Star roster. Walker was promoted to the Bakersfield Blaze (High-A) on July 23rd and remained there for the rest of the 2005 season. Walker One of 5 children, Walker would often play baseball with his brothers, including his older brother Walt who I believe is in the military and spent some time in Afghanistan. Ace was an Atlanta Braves fan and idolized Greg Maddox. He built a make-shift batting cage in his barn and would often play until 1 or 2 o'clock in the morning. In an interview with Clinton fan Paul Gierhart, Walker said that said that his motto was "...tell me I can't do it and I'll show you I can." The following story from the same article brings this point home: "Walker played a hundred games as an eighth grader and went on to help his team (No Fear) win the state tournament. But it didn't happen without an additional challenge...a broken ring finger on his throwing hand. "It was right before we went to the state playoffs, we were taking infield and I missed two ground balls in a row (at shortstop). Coach got really mad at me and just hit a rocket at me...I went to catch it and it took a bad hop; it broke the tip of my finger, push the nail straight up in the air and bleed..." Walker's answer...a week later at the state tournament, was to tape his broken finger to his pinky and continue playing through the pain. In reflecting on this injury, Walker admitted, "I actually hit better with it (broken finger) going like 2 for 4." Ace is also an accomplished artist/muralist, and worked towards a degree in graphic design while in college. He has even had art shows to display his work. For those of you in the Prague area, I heard some of his murals are on display out there, as well as at Cowley College. In addition to painting, Walker also enjoys hunting, fishing and golfing. As with most minor leaguers, he also enjoys movies and music (need to have something to do on the bus! :-) I've also been told he is fascinated by Angelina Jolie. From talking to Clinton fans and players, it sounds like Ace is one of the most popular and fun players in the system. When I was planning my trip to Clinton last August and asked which players I should make a point of meeting, I was repeatedly told (by both players and fans) that it was "too bad you missed Ace Walker. He's a great guy." The following quote from Walker's Clinton teammate Michael Schlact, really brings that point home. When asked which player in the system he thought would be a RedHawks fan favorite, Michael responded as follows: "Ace Walker--the guy can seriously pitch, and he's awesome. Great, great sense of humor, knows (as do I) that the Ranger (and RedHawk) fans are the most loyal in the game today. Ace will always give 100 percent and will work as hard as he can to succeed."
I hope you all enjoyed this look at Ace as much as I did. A nice kid who plays hard, appreciates his fans and is making it despite the odds. I may just have to pencil him in as one of my 2008 favorite RedHawks! :-)
Speaking of favorite RedHawks, the next focus will feature my probable 2006 Favorite RedHawk, Tim Olson. I also would like to say thank you to Lacey for the use of her great pictures of Ace Walker! Click Here to return home.
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was born in Long Beach, California, but grew up in Prague, Oklahoma. He's a 2001 graduate of Prague High School, where he was a 4-year letterman. The consumate athlete, Ace earned All-Conference recognition at 4 different positions during his high school career, including shortstop (1998), third base (1999), pitcher/catcher (2000) and pitcher (2001). Ace began his collegiate career at Cowley County Community College (also attended by former RedHawks Travis Hafner, and Travis Hughes). Ace was drafted by the Dodgers in the 20th round after his freshman year, but he elected to remain in school. The Rangers tried to sign him the next year, but Ace elected to tranfer to the University of Alabama (ROLL Tide!!) for one year before signing with the Rangers as a non-drafted free agent in 2004.